Tilden Park: Jewel Lake to Wildcat Peak – Berkeley, CA

Our Tilden Park adventure begins with a hike to enchanted Jewel Lake, host to turtles and river otters. From there, we will trek to the top of Wildcat Peak and enjoy panoramic views stretching from the Sierra to the Farallon Islands.

Along the way, outing leader Alan Siegel will describe the edible, medicinal, and cultural uses of native plants by local Indigenous people and other cultures.

Leader

Alan Siegel

Total Distance

This is a moderate hike of 4 to 5 miles round trip with about 750 feet in elevation gain.

Weather Policy

Rain cancels

Cost

Free, but reservations are required

Where to Meet

We will meet at the end of the road for the Nature Area parking lot.

From Highway 80 , take the University Avenue exit in Berkeley. Follow University towards the hills, turn left onto Oxford St. Turn right onto Rose St. Turn left onto Spruce St. Follow Spruce up the hill, you will reach a stop sign at the top of the hill, proceed through the intersection and turn immediately left down Canon Dr. At the bottom of Canon, veer left onto Central Park Drive and follow into the parking lot for the Nature Area.

From Highway 24 , exit at Fish Ranch Road. Take Fish Ranch Road to Grizzly Peak Blvd and turn right. Continue on Grizzly Peak Blvd. until you come to the intersection of Spruce Street, Wildcat Canyon Road and Canon Drive. Turn right on Wildcat Canyon Rd, then immediately make a sharp left down Canon Drive. At the bottom of the hill, veer left onto Central Park Drive and follow into the parking lot for the Nature Area.

AC Transit also serves Tilden Regional Park

Notes

Bring water and snacks. Wear good hiking shoes and bring poles if you normally use them. The leader recommends wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. If you have questions about this outing, please email Ken Lavin at klavin@greenbelt.org or phone (415) 543-6771 x321.

Photo: John Rusk via Flickr

About the Outing Leader

Alan Siegel has hiked the East Bay hills almost daily since the early 1970’s, trying to learn every plant and its edible, medicinal, and cultural uses, and to discover and use native plants that thrive in gardens that are frequently visited by deer. Alan is a volunteer docent at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden (EBRPD) in Tilden Park (www.nativeplants.org) where he enjoys meals of stinging nettles washed down with Yerba Buena tea. As a psychologist, Alan is interested in how cultures discovered the uses of plants and enjoys sharing stories of how diverse peoples use plants in unique ways. Alan has led native plant and nature awareness education walks for adults and children for 45 years.