Outing with East Bay Parks Carquinez Strait George Miller Trail

The program fee is $10 cash paid the day of the outing for adults, and no fee for youth. We will hold a mandatory pre-trip Zoom meeting on Saturday, September 17^th at 1 p.m. to go over the logistics. The deadline to confirm will also be September 17^th. Please note, the trail is a hard surface and there are portions that are hilly. There are not a lot of benches along the way. There is some shade in places, but a lot of the trail is in the sun. The bathroom at the trail head is an accessible porter potty. We are attempting to have them put in a second accessible bathroom where we are having lunch. We will be working with East Bay Park’s staff, including a naturalist with a program about birding and other topics. More information to follow. Please let me know if you’re interested in the outing by September 17^th and I will send out the mandatory pre-trip Zoom invitation on Tuesday, September 13^th.

Trail Overview: The winding scenic George Miller Trail (GMT) takes you 1.7-miles gate to gate from its west end at Port Costa, to Martinez at its east end. Sitting high above the shoreline it provides spectacular views of Carquinez Strait, Benicia’s waterfront, Mt Diablo, and an active railroad line; you might hear an occasional train pass by. If you’re a manual wheelchair rider and looking for a good workout you’ll find plenty of dips and climbs to build up your muscles. Mature oaks dot the rolling grasslands and a scampering lizard may cross your path.

For an off-road adventure, follow the fire road trail, that when traveling towards Martinez, is located just beyond the eastern trail gate and the roadside parking. It gradually climbs inland along the hillside amongst towering oaks and birdsong filled the air on my early June visit. I personally found this trail more peaceful than the GMT. According to the park’s map it’s the Franklin Ridge Loop Trail although the sign at the gate said Fire Trail. I followed the lower portion of the loop because at the first fork the upper part of the loop climbed steeply. Unfortunately, I had to turn around after ¼ quarter mile so as not to disturb a hornet’s nest.

More Info: There’s very few level stretches. Cross slopes on the Fire Trail may be greater than 2% The Fire trail is compacted dirt and may be muddy after rains. 

Accessibility Features

The facilities listed below meet all of our access criteria unless otherwise noted.

Accessible Parking: 

Yes – designated accessible parking, van accessible, firm, level or slope no greater than 2%; 

Accessible Restroom: 

Yes – Portable units are at Port Costa & Nedjely Staging Areas

Accessible Picnic Table: 

Yes – firm & stable path to tables, firm & stable surface, 27″ or greater knee clearance; One table overlooking the water about mid-way on the trail.

Good to Know: 

There’s very little shade on the trail. Beware of poison oak. Only one bench the entire trail.

Adventure and Outings (A and O)

Covid Regulations:

While we cannot completely eliminate the risks associated with COVID-19, we will follow the guidelines of local health departments and the City of Berkeley and take the necessary steps to minimize risk.

The following BORP COVID-19 guideline updates will remain in place until further notice for all individuals aged 5 years and older.

“Fully vaccinated” – Per the City of Berkeley, “fully vaccinated” is defined as 14 days after the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine or 14 days after the second shot of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. BORP is also requiring that staff, participants and volunteers have received their booster if it has been more than five months since their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or more than two months after the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.

Adventures & Outings
Participants, their families, volunteers, and staff will be asked to be fully vaccinated and wear a mask for both indoor and outdoor activities due to the nature of the activities.

Masks: Participants, their families, volunteers, and staff are required to wear an N95 or comparable mask (KN95, KF94), or be double-masked for all indoor activities.

If you have a fever, don’t feel well, or have any other symptoms, please stay home.

*Proof of Vaccination as outlined in the order by the City of Berkeley revised on February 7, 2022, shall include only the following documentation indicating that a person is vaccinated for COVID-19. BORP is not equipped to read QR codes at this time:

a. A Vaccination Card issued by the CDC or a foreign governmental jurisdiction which includes the name of the person vaccinated, the type of vaccine provided, and the date(s) the dose or doses were administered;

b. A photo or copy of a Vaccination Card either as a hardcopy or stored on a phone or electronic device; or

c. Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider; or

d. A personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California and available by going to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ or similar documentation issued by another state, local, or foreign governmental jurisdiction.

Please register by taking the following steps:

• Contact me Lori Gray, Outing coordinator, by phone at 510-843-4398 after 10am please. You can also email; however, I will most likely need to reply via telephone so be sure to include your phone number.
• After you’ve gotten the information about an outing then please reserve your spot.
• Unless otherwise specified payment for outings will be due on the day of the outing.

• •  Cash is preferred. If you need to pay via check, please let me know in advance. I am unable to process credit cards at this time.

• At this time, we currently have one bus, space is limited, and we will not be socially distancing on the bus. Everyone must wear a mask and be fully vaccinated. We will need to ride with the windows open so please dress in layers.

• • If you prefer, you can transport yourself and meet us at the location of the outing.

• We are currently offering a hybrid of both virtual and limited in person outings. Due to the fact that we will be going to public places, everyone will need to remain masked unless eating or drinking. If you are exhibiting symptoms, please DO NOT attend

We will need volunteers for all in person outings.