Flag HIll in Sunol

​I rate this as one of the 
​*Best Hikes in the Bay Area.

​The Hike

​​I rate Flag hill in Sunol as one of the best first hikes in the bay area.
It's great for novices.
​
If someone is in reasonable condition but has never hiked, they can do it.
If it's not foggy, you can see your goal right above you when you first pull into the parking lot.

Directions:

NORTHBOUND
Take Calaveras Road east out of Milpitas.
Drive north past the Calaveras reservoir until you get to Geary Road, on your right.
Drive out Geary Road until you get to the park.

SOUTHBOUND
​From I-680 exit at Niles Canyon Road and take Calaveras Road until you get to Geary, (on your left.)
Drive out Geary until you get to the park.​

The gate doesn't open until 8 am and there is a parking fee.
I think it was $5 when I went.
At under 4 miles round-trip, it's short enough for a novice to enjoy.
At about 1,000' it's tall enough for them to get a real workout, and when you get to the top it's a beatutful view.
You can even see where you parked.

They know they've accomplished something.
And that sense of accomplishment is real.
It took a lot of work to get here.

You can descend the same up-and-back route or you can do the loop trail which will take you down around the Hostel.
If you do the loop trail, you can go a little farther and see the turtle pond.
When we were there there were hundreds of turtles, (see the photo's page.)

Take two liters of water with you.
​Better too much than not enough.


​
The Hike
When you park look up at that rock outcropping up there above you.
That's where you're going.
You will cross the river at the bridge, curve left then back to tthe right as you ascend. 
When you reach the top you can come back down the same way or circle around past the Hostel, )the farm building out in the meadow below you.)
Get a map at Park HQ to be sure you know the way.
​Be sure to take 2 liters of water with you.
Up on Flag Hill looking down to where we parked.
​Beautiful meadows and quite a view.
2015-03-08-05
Here's a 360 degree view from atop Flag Hill.