Completed: October 22, 2023 | Elevation: 1,592′ | Trail: Old White Hill Grade > Sunrise Fire Road > Bay Area Ridge Trail > 680 Trail | Distance: 3.8 miles
Ideally, we would have completed this hike yesterday when we did White Hill –the peaks are in adjacent open spaces, and the trailheads are across the road from each other on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. However, Chris was nursing an injury and we didn’t want to push it. Which is how we found ourselves back in the same parking spot on a very gray Sunday, prepared to tackle Loma Alta in the drizzle. It could not have been a starker contrast to the partly blue skies of yesterday.
The first 1.3 miles on Old White Hill Grade and Sunrise Fire Road to the junction with the Bay Ridge Trail was a steady uphill climb. I was sweating in spite of the cool temperature and light rain. A group of horseback riders passed us and soon disappeared into the mist. Once we reached the Bay Ridge Trail, our legs got a bit of a reprieve and it was just under half a mile to Loma Alta peak.
It was a wall of fog so unfortunately, no views.
For our return, we went through the fence and headed down on the 680 Trail, which was steeper and narrower than the Bay Ridge Trail.
While we couldn’t see much due to the weather, the fog lent an air of mystery and solitude to the surrounding landscape. Trees became ghostly silhouettes. We actually found the hike to be quite enjoyable but of course, were happy to be out of the damp chill and in the comfort of our car.
Follow our progress bagging the Bay Area’s Nifty Ninety here.