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Hike or boat and camp overnight at Point Pinole
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East Bay Regional Park District is opening a new group camp, its first shoreline campground, at the 2,100-acre Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Park, Richmond, California. The dedication is scheduled for October 24 at 10 A.M., and the public is invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Confirm attendance with EBRPD at 510-544-2008.)
Not only hikers but also kayakers and other boaters are excited about the new camp — and it represents a big step forward in creating the Bay Water Trail, which was officially authorized by the state legislature in 2005.
The campground, which has piped water, a bathroom and firepit, is located near a eucalyptus grove and a popular 1,250- foot fishing pier. Point Pinole has been open to the public since 1973, when it was acquired from Bethlehem Steel. Although it's a serene place to take a hike today, it has an explosive past.
In the late 1800s, gunpowder and dynamite were still being manufacturered in what is now west Berkeley. Then in July 1892, there was an explosion of 300 tons of powder, which rocked windows around the bay. Several workers were killed. The Giant Powder Company made the decision to move their plant away from populated areas and settled on what is now Point Pinole Regional. They built a new powder plant and a company town named Giant for employee housing. The town is long gone, but there are some relics from previous eras.
You don't need to wait for the official opening of the new campground to visit Point Pinole — it's open most days 5 AM to 10 PM. Visitors to the park will find several nearly-level trails. Out near the bay, you'll have stunning views across San Pablo Bay to Mt. Tamalpais.
If you want to make a circuit of the park on established trails, you can start on the Bay View Trail out to the fishing pier, continue onto the Marsh Trail, and return to the parking lot via the Cooks Point Trail. Groups looking for a new, unique place to camp can look forward to EBRPD's new opportunities at Point Pinole.
More about hiking: Mt. Tamalpais State Park
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