Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve is a small regional park mainly located in the city of Oakland, California, and administered by the East Bay Regional Park District. The park is named for the canyon in which it is situated, Claremont Canyon, out of which Claremont Creek flows on its way to its confluence with Temescal Creek. Previously the canyon was named Harwood's Canyon, and then later as Telegraph Canyon. The name was changed to Claremont by a developer of the nearby Claremont district.

History

Claremont Canyon was part of an 1820 Spanish land grant called Rancho San Antonio. It was used as a transportation route by Americans from the eastern United States. In 1858, a transcontinental telegraph line was built through the canyon. Starting in the 1860s, the Pony Express carried mail through the canyon to and from the eastern part of the United States.

EBRPD first bought an parcel of surplus state land east of the U.C. Berkeley campus in 1978. Then it acquired some more acreage in the immediate area from several individuals. Finally, it bought a parcel in Gwin Canyon. These acquisitions were combined to become Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. Redwood groves can also be found in the canyon, containing both older and recently planted trees.

Activities

The Preserve is relatively undeveloped and offers almost no amenities to visitors other than two hiking trails: Stonewall Panoramic Trail and Gwin Canyon Trail.

The steep path up to the ridge gives splendid views across the cities of Berkeley and Oakland, and beyond to San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. On clear days, especially in winter, the Farallon Islands, about 44 miles (70 km) away, can be seen beyond the Golden Gate.

Gwin Canyon Trail

Within the Preserve is a side canyon called Gwin Canyon with a trail accessible from the end of Norfolk Road near Strathmoor Drive in the Oakland Hills. The trail ends just above Claremont Creek, from the trailhead.

While the upper reaches of Claremont Canyon are technically outside the Preserve, there are an additional of open space contiguous to it owned and managed by the University of California. A local non-profit citizens' organization, the Claremont Canyon Conservancy, works with the public landowners offering stewardship services and educational programs.

Access

There is very little public parking available either within or very near the Preserve. Street parking is prohibited. Visitors can use mass transit to reach the UC Berkeley campus, then enter the Preserve by hiking.

See also

  • Claremont Shale — Miocene epoch geologic formation in area.
  • Claremont, Oakland/Berkeley, California

References

  • Claremont Canyon Regional Reserve official web page