May 23, 2004

We parked by the visitor center (the red barn) and started looking for the beginning of our trail. We walked down along the grassy area and eventually found Jordan Pond where the trail began.

We climbed up the hill behind the pond. At the top we crossed through a saddle and had a great view of Hayward and San Francisco Bay. We saw plenty of hikers and equestrians on the trails in Garin Park.

The trail worked its way along the hill, first with views into the park, then with views of the cities and bay. It wound down to Tamarack Court with several houses at the park boundary, then climbed back up another ridge. We followed an almost dry creek down to where an old farmhouse had been.

We heard lots of birds in the trees along Dry Creek. Just as we said that we hadn't seen much wildlife, a hen turkey and 3 chicks appeared on the trail in front of us.

Dry Creek Trail took us back to Jordan Pond. Several times the trail split and we wondered which fork to follow. It always turned out that the forks  rejoined further up the trail.

Our trail guide said to watch for children fishing at the pond. Sure enough, they were fishing for catfish and bluegills at the pretty pond. Several ducks shared the pond with the fishermen.

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Last updated: 07/09/08 .