Completed: June 11, 2023 | Elevation: 1,112′ | Trail: Hiddenbrooke Trail | Distance: <2 miles
After taking a break from hiking, we resumed our efforts this past weekend and drove to Vallejo. Chris was still recovering from an injury to his Achilles tendon so wanted something on the side of short and not too strenuous. After reviewing the remaining peaks on our Nifty Ninety list, I zeroed in on Sulphur Springs Mountain.
The peak is located in Hiddenbrooke Open Space, which also happens to be the name of the subdivision built on the perimeter of these rolling grasslands and the name of the exit off I-80.
No one was manning the booth when we entered the community so not sure what would have happened had a guard been on duty. We drove past the golf club and turned onto Highgate Road which dead ended at the trailhead. Ours was the only vehicle.
The trail started out parallel to Highgate and switchbacked up the side of a small hill before going up a few steps next to a water tank. We crested the hill and walked onto a wide open meadow that stretched out for miles in front of us. In the distance, we could see the tree-topped peak of Sulphur Springs Mountain.
It wasn’t a difficult hike, but it was so windy! Even the few trees near the top were leaning over, likely from years of being pummeled by the wind. In addition to gale force winds, we also had to contend with lots of prickly thistle that lined the trail.
From the top of Sulphur Springs Mountain (in fact, during the whole hike as there are no obstructions), we had beautiful views. Mount Diablo loomed large to the south of us, and Mount Tam could be seen to the west. We ventured into the trees crowning the summit, seeking some respite from the wind, and came upon a stool someone had left behind a long time ago.
With not much else to see, we turned around and headed back to the car. It had taken us about an hour and twenty minutes going at a leisurely pace.
Follow our progress bagging the Bay Area’s Nifty Ninety here.
Coda
Had it not been for the non-stop wind, it would have been a really hot hike given the exposed nature of the trail. However, it turned out to be a pleasant hike with beautiful views for minimal effort. It’s not likely, thought, that we’d make the drive all the way out here again just to go hiking.