Vargas Plateau 5-25-16

I recently saw the news of a new regional park opening, Vargas Plateau. The park district has owned this land for 20 years, but just opened it to the public this month (May 2016). I don't know why it took so long for them to add a small parking lot and toilets, but it's great that they have finally done it because this is a beautiful area.

I had some free time on a Wednesday afternoon, so Darby and I drove down Mission Blvd. to 680 and then off on Vargas Road, a narrow lane winding through the hills. There were only two other cars parked in the lot and no one around. It was probably a good choice to go on a weekday, because when I mentioned it later to my son, Chris, who works for the park district, he said that he had heard that the lot has been filling up on weekends.

We started off on the Golden Eagle Trail gently climbing along a hillside with nice views of Fremont and the bay. At the top we turned right on the Upper Ranch Trail into a wide, flat valley with views of the hills to the east. Soon we began descending to the north approaching the rim of Niles Canyon. The views into the canyon were quite impressive. When you are driving through it, you don't fully realize how deep it is. After a short stretch through shady woods along the steep canyon wall, we climbed back up along grassy hillsides to complete a loop.


I noticed what at first looked like a small herd of cattle on a little hill across the valley, but when I looked more carefully, I could see that they were buffalo. I don't know who is raising them, but it was quite a surprise to see them here in the bay area.

This was really a very enjoyable hike. The trail is an easy one with mostly gentle slopes, and the area is pretty. There is a lot more peace and quiet and open spaces that you would expect so near the busy 680 freeway and the city of Fremont.

3.6 miles, 470 ft. climb