Hiking up for bay views - San Francisco Bay views

Sunset, Jan, 1989

Here are mountaintops to head for on those gloriously clear winter days

Panoramic bay views, sparkling skies swept by storms, and challenging trails are some very good reasons to hike up Bay Area mountains in winter.

We asked hiking groups and park rangers to give us their favorite bay view dayhikes. These three were most often listed: Mount Tamalpais, Mount Livermore on Angel Island, and Mount Diablo. Of the more than 150 named peaks in the nine Bay Area counties, many are not accessible, and others have no trails or public lands at the top.

For all of these hikes, wear sturdy boots, start early, dress warmly (afternoons can be windy), watch for poison oak, and carry water. Bring binoculars to watch circling hawks and pick out landmarks. And call ahead to check the weather; unless noted, all numbers are area code 415.

Mount Tamalpais State Park; 388-2070. This Bay Area landmark actually has three peaks-West, Middle, and East and more than 250 miles of trails. One moderate hike (4 miles one way) begins at the Pantoll Ranger Station (park or disembark from one of the Golden Gate transit buses that stop here on weekends, and pick up maps) and takes you up Old Stage Road to 2,571 -foot East Peak. You backtrack to return, or leave another car at the top and shuttle back.

The road, once used by stagecoaches, rises gradually for about 2 miles to the West Point Inn, a hiking club with a few picnic tables you can use. To ask about overnighting, call 388-9955. From the inn, follow the wide, gentle Old Railroad Grade (where a tourist train ran from 1896 to 1930) and then climb steeply to the top on narrow, twisting Fern Creek Trail.

At the top of East Peak, you'll find a parking lot, a popular 0.7-mile trail around the peak, picnic tables, and great views. Note that the old railroad and the stage road are both open to cyclists; despite roadblocks put up by a Marin cyclists' group to slow the bikes, it's wise for hikers to keep to the right. Pantoll Ranger Station is about a 30-minute drive north

of San Francisco off U.S. Highway 101.

Angel Island State Park; 435-1915. Mount Livermore's 781 -foot peak, though much lower than the others listed, offers clear, unhindered vistas and unique perspectives on the bay. Views extend to Tiburon, Mount Tamalpais, and the San Francisco waterfront.

From the entry kiosk, you can buy a copy of Cove to Crest Nature Trail Guide and take the 2-mile, 12-stop loop to the peak. Along the way, you'll see exotic trees at Ayala Cove (don't miss the fine interpretive center here), climb past bush lupine and coyote brush, and pass outcrops of green serpentine rock, At the top, a new viewing area has three picnic tables.

You can reach the island by ferry from Tiburon (435-2131) or from San Francisco or Vallejo (546-2896); call for schedule and ticket information.

Mount Diablo State Park, 837-2525. On a clear winter day, the view from this 3,849-foot peak is awe-inspiring-eastward to the corrugated foothills of the Sierra Nevada and, if the atmosphere is remarkably clear, even Half Dome in Yosemite, and westward over the Bay. The 1930s stonework Summit Building is closed for restoration, but its small rotunda contains displays and has publications for sale. It's staffed by volunteers and is open 11 to 4 weekends.

It's 3-1/2 challenging miles around the peak. From the Summit parking lot, take Juniper Trail I mile across to Juniper Camp, then continue another mile, dropping gradually, to the junction with Summit Trail. From here, cross Summit Road, then climb again, returning about 1-1/2 miles to the summit (you'll encounter a junction with Devil's Elbow Trail; continue heading up, toward the summit).

The park, 20 miles east of Oakland, is open 8 to sunset daily ($3 per car); pick up a map at the entrance. From Interstate 680 southbound in Danville, take El Cerro Boulevard (northbound, take Diablo Road) and follow signs.

More great vista hikes

Our sources also suggested some other hikes with great peak or ridgetop views. Unless noted, entry is free.

NORTH BAY

Hood Mountain (elevation 2,730 feet) in Hood Mountain Regional Park; (707) 527-2041. The 6-hour hike (6 miles round trip) is tough and steep. The paved, easy first mile winds along Santa Rosa Creek; the rest is a broad dirt fire road. Views are spectacular east to the Sierra Nevada, south to San Francisco Bay The park is open daylight hours on weekends only. Day-use fee is $1. It's 9 miles east of Santa Rosa, off State Highway 12.

Bald Mountain (2,729 feet) and Red Mountain (2,530) are both in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park; (707) 833-5712. These have the state's commonest mountain names: 32 peaks are name"Bald" and 43 "Red."

From the entry kiosk, take Pony Gate Trail to Ridge View Trail and on up to Bald Mountain Trail. A short spur jogs off this trail to Red Mountain's summit. The trail to Bald Mountain (8 miles round trip) ascends gradually through grassy meadows and scrub oak before heading into manzanita and madrone near the top. The park is open dawn to dusk daily. Day-use fee is $3. From State 12 east of Santa Rosa, take Adobe Canyon Road northeast 2 miles to its end.