Completed: March 25, 2023 | Elevation: 2,999′ | Trail: Mt Umunhum Trail > Barlow Road > Woods Trail (Out & Back) | Distance: 10.4 miles
To reach Mount El Sombroso, we started from the Bald Mountain parking lot, crossed the road and walked along the Mt. Umunhum Trail. This section parallels the road, and is flat and shaded. The temperature was surprisingly cool so we maintained a brisk pace to stay warm. Through breaks in the trees, we caught views of the concrete radar tower that sits atop Mount Umunhum.
While the trail continues to the summit, we turned right after 0.3 miles onto Barlow Road. The junction is signed and can’t be missed. It was then mostly downhill for 1.5 miles to Woods Trail.
At the intersection, we turned left onto Woods Trail and started our gradual 3-mile hike up with an elevation gain of just over 1,200′. Woods Trail was more exposed and offered vistas of the surrounding mountains.
Transmission towers and their lines occasionally interrupted the views. In fact, the spur trail leading to the top of Mount El Sombroso follows the transmission lines, and there are two towers situated near the peak.
To get ourselves on the true summit of Mount El Sombroso we did a little bit of bushwhacking through the vegetation and found a grove of manzanitas marking the top.
It had taken us 2.5 hours to make the one way trip. On our return, I noticed several creeks, which I’m guessing don’t normally flow, cascading from all the rain.
Back at the car—the lot was now completely full—we took a break before hiking to Bald Mountain.
Find an overview of our Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve hikes here.
Follow our progress bagging the Bay Area’s Nifty Ninety here.
Coda
There are multiple routes to the summit of Mount El Sombroso but we picked the shortest one (red line) that would also allow us to most efficiently complete the other peaks.
The hike itself was actually pleasant, and even though there was a large elevation gain, it was gradual and over a long distance. We encountered other hikers, runners and mountain bikers but most of the time it was just the two of us on the trail.
Aside from the first section on Mount Umunhum Trail, the rest of the hike is pretty exposed so I can’t imagine doing this hike in the summer.