Bay Area Hiker: Lafayette Reservoir Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area

Featured hike
Mile:
0.0: Start the Rim Trail loop at the west edge of the parking lot. Walk up a flight of steps near the signed "West Rim Trail Access." Pass (or go through) a small playground, and all casual paths converge as Rim Trail heads uphill. A fire road feeds in from the right after about 434 feet.
0.8: Westview Trail begins to the left at a signed junction. Continue straight on Rim Trail.
1.3: An unsigned fire road breaks off the left at the crest of a hill. Continue straight on Rim Trail.
1.7: Junction with Canyon Trail, on the left. Continue straight on Rim Trail.
2.4: Rim Trail approaches Rheem Reservoir. Stay to the right, then to the left as a service road heads downhill toward Rheem Boulevard.
2.5: Split. Either fork is fine; they soon rejoin.
2.7: Junction. A path heads right out of the preserve to Campolindo Drive, while a fire road sets out to the left. Continue straight on Rim Trail.
2.9: Junction with Campolindo Trail. Continue straight on Rim Trail.
3.4: Junction with Big Oak Trail. Continue straight on Rim Trail.
3.7: Junction. Continue straight on Rim Trail.
4.2: Unsigned junction. Continue to the left.
4.3: Junction with Sunset Trail. Turn left to stay on Rim Trail.
4.6: Rim Trail ends at Lakeside Trail. Turn right.
4.7: Lakeside Trail ends at the east end of the parking lot.

Getting there:
From CA 24 in Contra Costa County, exit Mount Diablo Boulevard/Acalanes Road/Upper Happy Valley Road (exit 11). Drive east on Mount Diablo Boulevard about 1 mile, then turn right at the Lafayette Reservoir sign. Stay to the right, drive uphill on the one way street, then bear left, toward day use parking.

GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude 37°53'6.91"N
Longitude
122° 8'26.38"W
(* based on Google Earth data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)

Read about this hike in more detail and view photos at http://www.bahiker.com/eastbayhikes/lafres.html


© 2002 Jane Huber/Bay Area Hiker