(Note: Do this hike with a friend because two cars are required for a short shuttle.)
This moderately difficult 3.5-mile route begins at Signpost 29 and finishes at the Claremont Avenue end of Garber Park. The hike traverses parkland trails and parts of the neighborhoods above the Claremont Hotel, where many of the lovely houses were rebuilt after the 1991 Berkeley-Oakland Hills Fire. Streets in those neighborhoods are narrow and lack sidewalks, so stay alert for cars. On the way to Signpost 29, drop off one car near the Claremont Avenue entrance to Garber Park, just past the parking lot for Claremont Hotel employees, and then drive .04 miles up to Signpost 29 and park the second car near the gate.
Start walking down the steps of the Willow Trail just beyond the posted map and follow the sign to the 1.1-mile Gwin Canyon Trail. The Gwin Canyon Trail eventually climbs about 350 feet through trees and shrubs to a cul-de-sac at the end of Norfolk Road. Once at Norfolk Road you are out of the preserve and onto urban streets. Bear right at the first intersection onto Strathmoor Drive where you will get your first stunning panoramic view.
At the next intersection, turn left onto Drury Road. Take the second right onto Dartmouth Drive and walk to the end of the pavement. There you will find an unmarked dirt path. Walk to the end for a spectacular view of both north and south sides of Claremont Canyon.
Retrace your steps to return to Drury Road staying on Drury until it becomes Amito Avenue—which then becomes Gravatt Drive. Continue straight, taking a left onto Stephens Way. Enjoy the view to the south as you walk down to rejoin Gravatt. Turn left, staying on Gravatt till it meets Alvarado Road.
Go left onto Alvarado, and then take the sharp right onto Slater Lane. At the end of Slater, turn right onto Evergreen Lane, which leads to the south entrance to Garber Park. You should be able to pick up a brochure there that includes an annotated trail map of Garber Park.
Entering Garber Park, turn right at the sign for the Loop Trail. Follow the loop all the way around. Do not take the spurs that go to Alvarado Road or Rispin Drive but continue on the lower half of the Loop Trail till you reach the large fireplace. From there, follow the sign pointing to Claremont Avenue. Take the steps down to where you parked the first car.
Happy hiking!
A version of this story appears in the current issue of Claremont-Elmwood Social as the last of a three-part series on hiking in Claremont Canyon.
