Copyright: East Bay Regional Park District
Mountain biking at Mission Peak
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Description - 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 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. Hawks and vultures share the summit airspace with sailplanes riding the thermals, and a down-to-earth herd of feral goats roams the cliffs.
Attractions
- About five hours are required to hike 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. Unless otherwise posted or permitted the park is open between 5 AM and 10 PM. No parking or dog fee.
Recreation - Hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking are the recreations enjoyed at Mission Peak. Viewing the fantastic scenery is an added bonus! Climate - Climate in the San Francisco Bay area varies greatly with elevation and the amount of coastal influence. Areas with more coastal influence experience moderate temperatures year round with fog likely from June through mid-August. Plan your coastal visit in the late summer or fall to ensure the best conditions for viewing the scenery. Also, occasional clear days between winter and spring storms are incomparable. Areas further inland experience greater temperature extremes, with relatively cooler winters and hot summers. Inland areas often receive frost on winter nights. As throughout most of California most of the precipitation comes in the winter months, with April through October normally very dry. Location -
Mission Peak is located at the east end of Stanford Avenue, off Mission Boulevard in Fremont. To reach the park from Interstate 680 in Fremont, exit at Mission Boulevard and go north. After about half a mile, turn right (east) on Stanford Avenue and follow it to the staging area.
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