Читать книгу 101 Hikes in Northern California. Exploring Mountains, Valleys, and Seashore онлайн

100 страница из 132

Turn left on McCorkle Trail and follow the overgrown path as it climbs the ridgeline and then turns east to traverse through chaparral. This low-lying and shrubby community flourishes in arid environments and is regularly seen throughout the hike. Its common constituents include coyote brush, toyon, sticky monkeyflower, bracken fern, coffeeberry, and plenty of poison oak. Valley oak also begins to appear along this section, identified by its 2- to 4-inch deeply lobed leaves.

The trail passes beneath some huge coast live oaks and reaches the junction with wide Cerro Este Rd. (1.7/1,180'). Bear left, make a steady uphill climb on Cerro Este Rd., and then bear right to return to singletrack McCorkle Trail (2.1/1,430'). Traversing steadily across open slopes, the route offers outstanding views of Mission Peak to the west, and south toward Calaveras Reservoir, the upper Alameda Creek watershed, and the more distant peaks of the Diablo Range. The trail makes a steep, switchbacking drop into the “W” Tree Rock Scramble and then continues its traverse to reach Backpack Rd. (3.4/1,150') and the gated edge of Sunol Backpack Camp. The camp’s pleasant sites and potable water (above Site 3) make for a pleasant layover.