We had 10 members attend the hike and we were ready to go by 10:05 from the Proctor Staging Area off of Redwood Road in Castro Valley:
Phillip G, Bertrand T, Laurie S, Barbara M, Philip D, Richard S, Fiona D, Emily T, Sally M, and Gary M pictured above.
The first part of the hike was up to a beautiful rolling trail named Ten Hills Trail, then we picked up Indian Cove Trail where there was a bench and a great spot for pictures above the lake:
then down past much poison oak to the asphalt East Shore Trail and on to the Marina for lunch at the picnic tables there:
We shared cookies Laurie S. brought (so good, Thank You Laurie) and ate our packed lunches.
On the way back to the trail Phillip G. noticed that some blackberries were ripe and reachable, so we grabbed as many as we could find for an added dessert before we continued the hike.
The hike back started along the asphalt East Shore Trail for a mile, then back to the dirt and we stayed right, past the bridge, then up, up, up on the Cameron Loop Trail. Once we got back to the top and met up with the Ten Hills Trail, we saw some goats that were clearing the hills of dry grass:
We then followed the Proctor Trail down and sneaked past the large Oak tree with an active honey bee hive on our way back to the cars:
The complete hike took 3.5 hours (including a couple rest and picture stops and then the lunch break), total distance of 6.75 miles and an elevation of 755′ of climbing. Friday’s weather was a beautiful day for hiking and the trails were not crowded since it was a weekday.
Please keep an eye open for the next hike if the above description interests you; we will keep offering hikes all over the bay area as time and weather allows!
Thank you for reading!
VeloRaptors Gary McCormick & Sally Mudd
On Presidents’ Day we ventured over the Richmond Bridge to the Cataract Falls Trail on Mount Tamalpais. This trail is spectacular after rain, and the weather obliged – plenty of water in the stream, but not too much mud. We started at the top at the Rock Spring Trailhead, made our way down the trail to Lake Alpine, where we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch, then climbed back to the cars, taking time to catch our breath/admire the cataracts on the way back up the hill.
What better way to start a new year than to hike with the VeloRaptors? We followed a similar route to the October 2024 hike, but this time we “visited” the ladybugs wintering along Stream Trail, and tested the new bridge on Starflower Trail that has been constructed from a fallen redwood tree.
An adventurous group met at the Ferry Building in San Francisco and took the ferry to Angel Island. We hiked up Mount Livermore, where we enjoyed lunch with a spectacular view of the Golden Gate. There was time to learn more about the history of Angel Island at the U.S. Immigration Station before catching the ferry back to civilization.
A small but select group met in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, and headed up Stream Trail to Tres Sendas, then headed up Starflower Trail to French Trail. After meandering through redwoods and bay-oak terrain, we braved the steep descent of Orchard Trail to Bridle.
The VeloRaptor Club organizes hikes approximately every month. These offer the opportunity to get to know other club members who ride at different times (and speeds), while enjoying the outdoors. Or to spend more time with your friends.
Hikes are typically moderately challenging – about 6 miles long, with some elevation gain. They are announced to members on the website, with details on the route, level of difficulty, and other information. There is an RSVP link on the calendar.
We love meeting family and friends on these hikes, so bring them! Ideas for future hikes are very welcome – especially if you are willing to be the lead on one of these.
Contact Fiona Doyle or Gary McCormick with any questions or ideas.
The inaugural VeloRaptor hike on 9/20/2025 was in Anthony Chabot Regional Park. 20 intrepid members followed a beautiful loop from the Clyde Woolridge Staging Area down the Jackson Grade to the Stone Bridge, picked up the Brandon trail and went south to Two Rocks trail, from which we dropped down to the Columbine trail, then returned via Lake Chabot on the Goldenrod trail.
On Labor Day twenty VeloRaptors and guests took a break from biking and embarked on a 7 mile hike in Redwood Park. Thanks to Fiona D. for mapping out a fun route and leading the hike. Stay tuned for announcement of the monthly cross-training hike in October.
