Park It: Check out East Bay district’s newsletter for activity ideas - East Bay Times

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A publication with lots of good information about things to see and do in the East Bay Regional Park District is “Regional in Nature,” the park district’s bimonthly newsletter.

“Regional in Nature” shows up as an insert in newspapers throughout the East Bay, generally about a week before the end of the month. The March-April RIN edition should appear soon, but if you miss RIN in your paper, you can still access it by visiting the park district’s RIN webpage at ebparks.org/activities/rin. Unfortunately, the park district’s usual schedule of nature education programs and special events is on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, RIN still offers lots of suggestions for activities and explorations that your whole family will enjoy.

For instance, while the thought of candy cap mushroom ice cream may never have crossed your mind, the January-February RIN edition tells you how to make it at home and enjoy its sweet maple flavor. Or you can check out “Preparedness 101,” your guide to outdoor winter activities. It’s a list of tips on how to stay warm, dry and safe during winter hikes. A top tip: bring a thermos with a hot beverage to enjoy during rest stops along the way.

There are natural history articles about kestrels, turtles, ducks, mountain lions and harbor seals. The kids may enjoy crafting a harbor seal doll out of an old sock and some accessories. The publication also has results of a 2020 community survey, which found that 96% of respondents believed the accessibility of parks and trails is important to maintaining the mental health of our community. Of those surveyed, 96% also agreed that parks and trails should remain open and accessible to help people get physical exercise in a “safe, socially distant manner.”

Previous editions of RIN are also available at the park district’s website. All are full of ideas for ways to appreciate and enjoy the regional parks and other public open spaces with your family at a time when district-organized activities are suspended.

Moraga: If you’re looking for a regional park hike that offers a real workout, I recommend the Old Moraga Ranch Trail. The trail is steep up and down, with the high point 1,194 feet up, at St. Mary’s Peak. The hike is kind of like a rollercoaster ride but without the carts, speed and the mechanical assistance when going up. It’s strenuous, but the reward is unsurpassed views of Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda) and the St. Mary’s College campus. The trail’s not open to bicycles, at least according to the map legend. Old Moraga Ranch Trail is included in the map of Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail that’s available on the park district website at ebparks.org/parks/maps.

Generally the trail is well marked. The easiest way to start is to park at Rancho Laguna Park on Camino Pablo in Moraga. From there, walk back up Camino Pablo a short distance to the Sanders Ranch residential subdivision. Walk into the subdivision on the left side of its entrance road. In about a quarter-mile, look for a trail marker on the left. The trail leads down into a creek bed, crosses several wooden bridges, then climbs out of the creek bed and up a steep hill. You’re on your way.

Another option is to start at a trailhead across Camino Pablo from Rancho Laguna Park and walk west up a sometimes-steep route to the junction with the Rocky Ridge Trail on East Bay Municipal Utility District land. The north end of Old Moraga Ranch Trail is at Bollinger Canyon Road. Bollinger Canyon Road is a private road at that point, though, and there isn’t any trailhead parking. In any case, I think all but the most dedicated hikers will find that the climb from Camino Pablo to St. Mary’s Peak and back is more than adequate exercise.

Ned MacKay writes about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.

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