Berryessa Peak

One of the toughest peak hikes in the greater SF Bay Area. At 15 miles round trip with 3,200 ft gains in elevation, it isn’t the longest or the steepest, but the trail is unmaintained and sorely eroding after a fire and some really wet winters. About half the trek is along crumbling cliffs, parts of which in waist high star thistle with the occasional rattlesnake. Long pants, 3+ liters of water and GPS a must. Took me three attempts to complete this compelling and miserable hike.

First attempt was on 4/29/19, early enough to beat the summer heat, but made the mistake of wearing shorts and shoes that were not waterproof.

But the wildflowers were nice!

After a couple miles of vague fire road you bear up a ridge on single track, sometimes plowing up 45 degrees.