In early April I jumped at the chance to visit Los Vaqueros Reservoir which is outside of Livermore, CA and is managed by the Contra Costa Water District. The reservoir and surrounding area are available to the public for fishing, boating and hiking. I was surprised at how the area has a rural and spacious feeling, given how close the reservoir is to cities and urban areas.

It was a straightforward ~70 minute drive from my home to the interpretive center and picnic area where I started my hike from. Luckily the day was not expected to be hot, as I arrived later than planned and didn’t start hiking until 10 am or so. Next time I would definitely plan to get there by 8 am to avoid the heat.

The interpretive center is small but is worth a visit. The docent may be able to provide additional insights on trail conditions or recent animal sightings.

The trails I tried out ended up being a decent moderate hike totaling about 5.5 miles. My watch died on the way back, but it recorded about 1300 ft. of elevation gain in a little over 2 hours of hiking.

I visited with the hope of seeing a Golden Eagle (from a safe distance). From about January to April, several of the trails are closed off where the eagles are nesting. Some time in April, parts of the trails reopen. This year as of early July all of the trails had been reopened following a successful breeding season (yay).

The Vista Grande trail definitely lived up to its name. From the hilltops I could see the rolling east bay hills and Mount Diablo. Looking east I could even see the snow capped tops of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Luckily it was a fairly clear day and I could enjoy the wide open views.

Tips for visiting, from the website

• go early to avoid the heat
• prepare to be off grid – download or print maps ahead of time
• bring $6 of entry or $4 if you get your water from the Contra Costa Water Agency (bring proof of residency)