A Miniature ‘Yosemite’ Without Buses or Crowds

If you have Yosemite National Park firmly in mind, it’s a stretch to call this isolated canyon east of Fremont “Little Yosemite.” The small waterfalls don’t resemble Vernal Fall or Yosemite Falls, and the canyon’s rock outcroppings don’t call to mind Half Dome or Cathedral Rocks.

On the other hand, Little Yosemite doesn’t require shuttle buses, reservations, a long trip and contending with crowds. In fact, few hikers wander the East Bay’s Little Yosemite, a narrow gorge cut by Alameda Creek.

The creek flows through the southern part of Sunol Regional Wilderness, a 6,000-acre preserve of rolling, grassy hills dotted with oak and madrono. At first glance the preserve seems to have changed little since rancho days--a perfect pastureland of pastoral hills and valleys.

This is a park with room to roam, one grassy hill after another, the pattern interrupted only by occasional rock outcroppings and oak groves. From high points whose names suggest the good views they offer--Eagle’s View, Vista Grande, Flag Hill--you can gaze out at ever more back country belonging to East Bay Regional Park District.

Numerous trails wind through the preserve. First-time Sunol sojourners will appreciate Canyon View Trail, which offers the most direct route to Little Yosemite.

Directions to trail head: From Interstate 680, just south of the community of Sunol, exit on Calaveras Road. Head south five miles to Geary Road. Turn left and follow this road to its end and the park entrance. The hike begins by the park’s small visitor center.

The hike: Indian Joe Nature Trail takes you to a bridge spanning Alameda Creek. Cross to the other side, turn right and hike a flat segment of Canyon View Trail for 0.25 mile to Indian Joe Creek Trail.

The shortest way to this hike’s highlight is to stick with gentle Canyon View Trail for another mile as it crosses Jacob’s Valley and delivers you to Ohlone Road at a junction close to Little Yosemite. Mile-long McCorkle Trail is a worthy extension to this route.

For a longer loop, ascend grassy slopes along the sycamore- and oak-lined Indian Creek. A mile out, you’ll reach Indian Rock Caves, a basalt-schist conglomerate popular with rock climbers and picnickers.

After another 0.25 mile of climbing you’ll near the ridge top and bear right on Cave Rocks Road. Enjoy the expansive views from the open ridge as you descend to Cerro Este Overlook and Road, and continue on a southern descent to Ohlone Road. Head right to Little Yosemite.

Return via Ohlone Road or Canyon View Trail.

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For more of John McKinney’s hiking tips and trails, visit https://www.thetrailmaster.com.

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Indian Joe Creek, Cave Rocks, Canyon View Trails

WHERE: Sunol Regional Wilderness

DISTANCE: From Visitor Center to Little Yosemite is a 3.5-mile loop with 300-foot elevation gain or a 5,5-mile loop with 500-foot elevation gain.

TERRAIN: Rolling verdant hills, Alameda Creek gorge.

HIGHLIGHTS: Narrow canyons, small waterfalls, “Little Yosemite.”

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate

FOR MORE INFORMATION: East Bay Regional Park District; tel. (510) 562-PARK.