Rising steeply to the east behind the City of Fremont, Mission and Monument peaks form a dramatic backdrop to the South Bay.
Mission Peak has been described as one of the Bay Area's most underrated summits. The determined hiker who reaches its top (2.8 miles) will be rewarded with views of Mount Hamilton to the south, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, Mt. Tamalpais to the north, and Mt. Diablo and the Sierra Nevada to the northeast.
|
 |
 |
Park Hours |
Unless otherwise posted or permitted, open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. |
|
Parking Fee |
No Fee |
|
Dog Fee |
No Fee |
|
Emergency |
911 |
|
East Bay Regional Parks Headquarters |
510-562-PARK (7275) |
|
Group Picnic Reservations |
No reservable sites |
|
Address |
East end of Stanford Avenue, off Mission Blvd., in Fremont, CA |
Hawks and vultures share the summit airspace with sailplanes riding the thermals, and a down-to-earth herd of feral goats roams the cliffs.
The Hike
About five hours are required to reach the summit and return. Mission Peak's 2,999 acres are accessible from a staging area at the east end of Stanford Avenue in Fremont (steep climb to the summit), or from parking lots at Ohlone College (more gradual ascent). There is no access from Mill Creek Road.
The Stanford Avenue staging area is also the western access to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, a 29-mile hiking and riding trail through some of Southern Alameda County's most beautiful wilderness.
A regional trail also leads from Mission Peak two miles south to Monument Peak, then on into Ed Levin County Park in Santa Clara County. Besides linking Santa Clara to Alameda County, the trail is a section of the Ridge Trail being developed to encircle San Francisco Bay.
Mile:
0.0: Start at the gate at the edge of the parking area. The trail splits immediately. Stay to the left on Hidden Valley Trail and begin ascending.
1.4: Junction with Peak Meadow Trail. Continue straight on Hidden Valley Trail.
2.0: Junction with Moore Grove Trail, on the right. Continue uphill to the left on Hidden Valley Trail.
2.2: Junction. The trail to the left heads toward Ohlone College. Bear right and remain on Hidden Valley Trail.
2.3: Cattle gate and junction. Bear right on Eagle Trail.
2.4: Junction. Turn right on Peak Trail and prepare for the final climb to the summit.
2.8: Mission Peak's rocky summit. When ready, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
5.6: Back at the parking lot.
Getting There
From I-680 in Fremont, exit at Mission Boulevard and go north. After about 1/2 mile, turn right (east) on Stanford Avenue and follow it to the staging area.
|