Escape the crowds on King Canyon Loop Trail

June 28, 7:36 PMBay Area Hiking ExaminerSusan Alcorn

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Sticky Monkey Flower on sedimentary rock. S.Alcorn

Our latest hike on East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) watershed in the East Bay Hills was in mid-June. We chose to start from the Valle Vista staging area between Canyon and Moraga because it offers a variety of landscapes. Most of the time we were under a canopy of bay and oak, but probably one-third of the hike we were in open grassland.

After signing the register, we turned left and headed for the King Canyon Loop Trail. We crossed a wooden bridge and followed the wide trail, making right turns at the junctions. On your left, you'll see horses grazing on private pastures.

In about 1/2 mile you'll come to one of the fingers of Upper San Leandro Reservoir. Cormorants, ducks, and swifts live here. Soon comes an interesting natural exhibit — layers of sedimentary rock exposed by the cutting away of the cliff to build the roadway long ago.

You will hit the southernmost point about three miles out, and about a half mile after that, you'll approach a metal gate with a road beyond. To loop back to Valle Vista, turn left before the gate on the grassy trail and follow it until you hit the fire road. Start the steep climb up the fire road. Don't turn at the first right turn (unmarked) because it dead ends. Continue up the dirt road and turn right at the second opportunity.

One of my favorite flowers that's found in the open areas is the Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus).  It's a native shrub that has yellowish-orange flowers that are tube-shaped. If you touch the leaves, you'll see how it got part of its common name — they're sticky with a resin that protects them from drying out in the hot, dry areas where it grows. With a bit of imagination, you can also see where the Monkey part of the name came from — the petals make sort of a face shape.

The Sticky Monkey Flower grows throughout California. I've seen it many times before — a plant or two in some locations, several of the shrubs at other sites, but I've never seen hillsides covered with it as we did on this recent EBMUD hike. Look for it, it'll be in bloom from now until September http://www.nps.gov/prsf/naturescience/sticky-monkey-flower.htm

Allow 4 hours for this 7.1-mile hike. Carry water and sun protection. This time of year, go early morning or late afternoon. For a shorter, more level hike, just do an out-and-back from the Valle Vista staging area.  

Most EBMUD trails (including this one) require a trail use permit. You can obtain one online (fees are currently 1-yr. $10, 3 yr. $20, 5 yr. $30).

For more information on the King Canyon Loop Trail, check the July-September issue of Bay Nature.

Happy trails, Backpack45