Hiking

September Happenings 2024

Butterflies spotted in the Canyon! Winning voter approval of Measure MM, the Wildfire Prevention Zone on November 5th is critical. Join the Garber Park Stewards as they celebrate Creek to Bay Day on September 21st. Volunteer in the Upper Canyon with your group of friends or company team. (Click to learn more)

August Happenings 2024

A juvenile hawk was spotted taking a bath! The Conservancy has moved into a new era. We recently celebrated a successful fundraising drive where we raised $40,000. Keep Oakland Wildfire Safe Committee has a goal to do everything possible to pass the Wildfire Prevention Zone ballot measure on November 5th. Learn more about how you can get involved and other volunteer opportunities in the Canyon.

July Happenings 2024

The East Bay Wildfire Coalition will have its second meeting on Monday, July 8th at 9a.m. The meeting will be held at El Cerrito City Hall but you are invited to participate on Zoom (Check this post for the zoom link). It’s also summer and we are starting to see thimbleberries on thimbleberry plants. They have a pleasant, tart taste, a favorite of people and other mammals as well as many birds. Read more about how to best identify this plant!

June Happenings 2024

Summer has arrived and we are seeing many butterflies fluttering in the Canyon, native plants in bloom, and many people hiking the trails!

May Happenings 2024

Take a look at this flock of lesser goldfinches. An East Bay region-wide approach got off to a great start! In an effort to mitigate wildfire risks, the East Bay Regional Park District conducted a controlled burn on their park district property.

April Happenings 2024

Celebrate Earth Month in the canyon! Join community members on a bird walk in the Upper Canyon and a plant walk in Garber Park. Join volunteer opportunities in April. Did you know it’s bird migration season? Read about the earthquake with its epicenter in Garber Park.

March Happenings 2024

Our March happenings of 2024 include an opportunity to join the Conservancy board, a look at the abundancy of miner’s lettuce, banana slugs crossing, a special stewardship day with the Claremont Club and Spa, and other fun volunteer opportunities in the Canyon!

February Happenings 2024

Visit the Claremont Canyon this month! It's not too late to see ladybugs, banana slugs, and mushrooms along the trails. Explore the trails and join us in a stewardship event. Our various activities include removing invasive plants, maintaining trails, and litter collection.

October Happenings 2023

Look out for banana slugs crossings the trails as you hike this fall. Save the date! Join us at our Annual Meeting, November 12th from 4-6PM at the Claremont Resort and Spa. Looking for volunteer opportunities?

August Happenings 2023

Monkeyflower is in bloom in the Canyon, stewardship efforts near the heritage oak - a 100 year old tree!, volunteer with the Garber Park Stewards and at Signpost 29.

July Happenings 2023 - Advocacy Update

This month’s newsletter includes our response to the June 9, 2023 State Court of Appeals decision, working towards fire safety, East Bay Hills' grassroots advocacy effort, and more!

A wildland-urban hike: Gwin Canyon to Garber Park by Sandy Friedland

(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.

Winter Bird Walk, December 8, 2018

Once again our intrepid little group of birders, led by Dave Quady, headed out on a chilly morning in December before dawn to listen for owls. After hearing the hoot of a Great Horned Owl, all retreated home to warm up with coffee and breakfast before regrouping at 8 A.M. at the top of Claremont Canyon. We saw thirteen bird species, all expected in Claremont Canyon at this time of year. We feel fortunate to have Dave as our leader. He is always full of information and good cheer and has birded in our area for many years. 

The Garber Park interpretative brochure journey, by Shelagh Brodersen and Lech Naumovich

Several years ago, Garber Park Stewards and Golden Hour Restoration Institute first tossed around the idea of creating an interpretative brochure that would enrich the experience of visiting Garber Park. We wanted to create a document that was engaging and informative for all park users—first timers as well as regular visitors.

The wonders of Garber Park, by Nancy Mueller

if you haven’t delved into the wonders of Garber Park, you need to know about it! You will find a delightful native oak woodland with native fern grottoes, giant coast live oaks, California buckeyes, California big leaf maples, and a fascinating old defunct replace from old boy scout days of the 1920’s! All this is within walking distance from the intersection of Ashby and Claremont avenues.

The legacy of Ralph Samuel

Saturday, May 18, 2002 was the dedication of the Ralph Samuel bench at the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. Ralph was the District’s Land Acquisition Specialist from 1979 to 1986. Hulet Hornbeck, Land Department Chief, originally hired him to acquire the privately owned lots that were included in the Claremont Canyon Preserve.