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Coyote Hills, September 2020
Along the Bay with John: A Photographic Log
4 September 2020

In May 2017 I drove from homebase in the North Bay to the remote and exotic realms of the South Bay, about a 90 minute journey (except during rush hour traffic, when it nearly doubles). I explored the Dumbarton Bridge across the Bay, bike paths around Palo Alto, one of the old salt pond levees on the east side of the Bay, and a bit of Coyote Hills Regional Park. You can read about it here.

I've been meaning to get back and investigate more of Coyote Hills and the Alameda Creek Trail. With improved air quality, the time seemed right this week. (That was a wise decision, because I subsequently learned the trails are closing in a couple of days for at least a month of maintenance.)

Coyote Hills is relatively close to the Berkeley home of John, with whom I've pedaled in San Francisco and in Santa Rosa. He agreed to accompany me. (You'd think he would have learned better by now!) We met at the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge parking lot, where my heart momentarily sank when I realized the gates were locked. But it turned out there was suitable parking along the road, and bikes were allowed in. From there we revisited some of my 2017 route on the east side of the Bay and added quite a bit more on the levees, along the creek trail, and in Coyote Hills.

This was my first non-solo ride since the pandemic struck. We were outdoors in breezy conditions, moving along steadily, maintaining physical distancing, and wearing masks. I think Dr Fauci would have approved of our precautions.

I enjoyed hanging with John, and the Coyote Hills / Alameda Creek / levees ride is a lot of fun. I'd do it more often, but it's a bit distant and the traffic was a nightmare on the drive home.


On the fishing pier under the Dumbarton Bridge, looking across the Bay toward Palo Alto and the mountainous spine of the Peninsula south of San Francisco.

John stretches and waits for the caffeine to kick in.


The abandoned railroad bridge crosses the Bay slightly south of the Dumbarton Bridge.

We briefly discussed the possibility of trying to pedal across it, but neither of us was under the influence of that much caffeine.


Maintaining sufficient social distancing with John out on the levee encircling the old salt ponds.

It's a little wider right here, but basically it's a narrow trail lapped by water on left and right.


On the levee at the mouth of Alameda Creek, looking northwest.

San Francisco is invisible through the haze, as is the much closer San Mateo Bridge across the Bay.


The levee we rode up from the Dumbarton Bridge (levee trail visible at left; bridge visible in the distance) meets the end of the Alameda Creek Trail at the mouth of the creek.

We dined on bike-packable delicacies at one of the two picnic tables. We probably saw close to a dozen bicyclists at this spot, most coming out the Alameda Creek Trail, then turning around here.

One of the riders gave us some tips about different parts of the trail. He's the one who told us the trails would be closing for maintenance right after Labor Day.


Heading toward the mainland from the western end of the Alameda Creek Trail.

Creek on the left, old salt pond on the right.

Handy diving platform. I tried to convince John to demonstrate his form, but he says a prefers a springboard.


Rolling east beside the creek.


Too late to enjoy mutton for lunch?


The Alameda Creek Trail actually features a paved trail on the south side of the creek and a gravel trail on the north side.

We pedaled east on pavement, then crossed and turned back on gravel.


Almost back to the Bay.


John rehydrates while I fool around with the camera.


Ready to head up into the hilly part of Coyote Hills.


The Ogre became excited when we saw this sign.

John's Long Haul Trucker performed well on and off pavement.


From the edge of the hills, looking down on the old salt ponds and across the Bay.

The most distant smudge running from left to right is the levee trail we pedaled from the bridge to its intersection with the end of the Alameda Creek Trail.


Just above John's helmet can be seen the straight left-right line of Alameda Creek, with one hillock beyond the creek, then the Bay and the slightly murky sky.


We paused on one little knoll to look down on a salt pond and a couple of the trails along the edge of the hills.


From the same knoll, looking south.

On the left: The trail cut into the edge of the hills. Center: The levee I pedaled across to get back to the mainland in 2017. In the distance: Dumbarton Bridge.


Here comes John, flashing thumbs up.

Good view of the hills, trail, levees, salt ponds, and Bay.

Cool place to ride.


At the end of the trail from Coyote Hills, the path passes over the highway directly above the toll booths for traffic crossing the Dumbarton Bridge.


Back at our vehicles. End of the line.

We convinced a passing lady to snap a photo with my phone. She managed to line up the shot so it looks like John's head is being impaled by a big beak.

Not sure if she did that intentionally, but it's a classic. That's kind of what you get when you ride with Old Grumble-Face!




Summary

Date: 4 September 2020
Time: 10:30 - 2:00
Weather: 65-80° F, sunny, some haze but air quality not a problem
Route: Coyote Hills, Alameda Creek Trail, and levees
Distance: 22 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo

Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.

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