What we’re about
Hiking with Friends is a group from Walnut Creek Friends Church and others who enjoy hiking the hills in Contra Costa County and other Bay Area locations. This group is for anyone who enjoys making new friends and exploring the great outdoors while developing stronger relationships with Jesus, nature, and one another.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- China Wall / Little Yosemite LoopOld Borges Ranch, Walnut Creek, CA
Do you like rock formations and waterfalls? Then this is the hike for you! We will be visiting the China Wall and the Little Yosemite falls in the Shell Ridge Open Space and Diablo Foothills Regional Park.
This is a moderate 5.29 mile loop with a cumulative 846 ft elevation gain and excellent views of Mount Diablo and the surrounding hills. Here is a map for your reference.
Dogs are not allowed as part of trail goes into Mt. Diablo State Park where dogs are not allowed.
Let's meet at the Old Borges Ranch House parking area at 1035 Castle Rock Rd in Walnut Creek at 9:30 am. This is the first parking area you come to on the right before the ranch. Alternatively, you can meet me for carpooling from the Walnut Creek Friends Church back parking lot at 8:40 am. Please confirm to coordinate timing.
Our trek will start out with a gentle climb up the Borges Ranch Trail, continuing down to the Twin Ponds then back up where we will connect to the Briones to Mt Diablo Regional Trail. We eventually traverse right to meet the China Wall road where we will stop for snacks and a chance to explore this integring rock formation.
Our journey continues until we meet the Little Yosemite Valley Trail, then we take a left turn down and past the waterfall to Stage Road where we begin our return trek with views of Castle Rock above to our right. We then go left up the Fairy Lantern Trail back to the Briones to Mt Diablo Regional Trail where we turn right back towards the ranch.
Be sure to bring layers, sturdy boots/shoes, water to drink, a snack to eat, and as usual, an attitude for making friends.
See you soon!
Doug
