28. Pinole Valley Loop (01/26/25)

Hikers (7): Crystal, Jarda, Jim, Manfred, Mihail, Rainer, Steve
Distance: 16 miles
Rating: 3 difficulty, 7 beauty
Park info: East Bay Municipal Utility District near Pinole

Steve owes a writeup! -- Pictures by Jarda and Steve

It was windy for the first part of the hike. While not planned, once we got onto the trails on the "backside", we were in the lee, so things we much nicer.

As expected, we took a few different routes back near at the end (after Naughty Junction) depending on whether one read the hike notice and/or noticed the easier gate to cross. All roads lead to Rome, however, so we all made it back just fine.

Sobrante Ridge high point

Green hills as far as the eye can see

Heading down. . .to go back up

Hercules Benchmark

Jarda and Crystal going down different ways from Hercules BM

Classic hill failure

The gentle route to Pinole Benchmark (far right)

Cow paradise in Pinole Valley

Broken farm building

The "naughty junction" toward the end of the hike

You know you're done when you see the water tank

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