Mulholland Ridge Out-and-Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A ridgeline trail with expansive views often involves long, calf-straining ascents - but not here! Instead, a relatively easy hike up a gradual incline leads to phenomenal views, right in the heart of the LaMorinda area. Along the way, enjoy fantastic birding; the hilltop views offer excellent opportunities to see raptors circling in the thermals, and dead Monterey Pines lining the trail provide ideal habitat for the charismatic Acorn Woodpecker. This route makes for an excellent short outing, especially if you live nearby and are looking for a place to get some exercise, walk your dog, or take in a sunset.

Park on the roadside of Donal Drive. Do not block the gate. There are no restrooms or facilities at the trailhead. Poison oak can be common here, so don't go off trail, and never touch a plant you don't recognize. The Donald Reservoir Trail passes through land that cattle actively graze on. Never approach them, and give them lots of space. Since this is a ridge top path, with great, views, there is little shade, so check the weather and be prepared.

Park your vehicle on the side of Donald Drive, making sure to not block the gate (the path still serves as a fire road). Pass around the gate and begin hiking up the Mulholland Ridge Trail. The trail is a paved road that has been closed to vehicle traffic (Donald Drive used to continue along the length of the ridge, connecting through to Orinda, but has since been closed and turned into the park).

The path ascends somewhat steeply for about 300 feet from the parking area. On the left (southeast) there is a gate and spur trail that climbs to a small knoll with excellent views of Moraga. This is a worthwhile side trip. Once you return to the main path, continue climbing. Here the trail curves right to the northwest, gains the ridge, and the gradient becomes more gradual. As the path continues up the ridge, note the dead Monterey Pines on either side of the road. These snags provide great habitat for birds. Notice how they are covered in hundreds of holes - these are carved by Acorn Woodpeckers to store acorns in. In the winter, especially after rain, these rotting trees also harbor the Western Jack-O-Lantern, a yellow-orange mushroom that is bioluminescent.

As you continue to climb, turn around occasionally and take in the increasingly good view to the north, east, and south. Mt. Diablo, Los Trancos Peak, Rocky Ridge, and Saint Mary's Peak all come into view eventually, as well as sweeping views down to the valley bottoms of Moraga. At 0.9 miles, reach a large junction with a partial view and a small bench. To the right (north) is the Goodfellow Trail, and to the left (southwest) the Donald Reservoir Trail departs through a gate and curves around the valley. You'll return on this trail. Continue straight (northwest) on the Mulholland Ridge Trail.

At 1 mile, pass through a gate, and continue to the top of the ridge. Here you have crossed from the Mulholland Ridge Open Space onto the Donald Drive Trail in the Orinda Oaks park. 200 feet from the gate, reach a junction and viewpoint on the left (south) side of the trail. This is arguably the best view along this route. Additionally, there is a bench and picnic table here, so it makes a great spot to sit, take a break, and drink some water.

From the viewpoint, follow the singletrack trail that departs to the southeast. This is the Donald Reservoir Connector Trail. At 0.1 miles, pass through a gate back into Mulholland Ridge Open Space Preserve. Make sure to close the gate behind you, as cattle actively graze here. Follow the singletrack for another 300 feet, until it intersects the Donald Reservoir Trail. You can choose to turn right (southeast) and follow the trail down to the reservoir cistern, but I would skip this - it does not significantly improve your view, and the facility is fenced and gated anyways. Instead, turn left (north), and follow the fire road as it curves around the head of the valley. At 0.2 miles, pass through a gate, and reach the intersection with the Mulholland Ridge Trail and the Goodfellow Trail that you passed earlier. Turn right (southeast) and retrace your path along the Mulholland Ridge Trail back to the trailhead and your car.

Oak chaparral typical of the Bay Area is common here. A mix of dispersed trees (oaks, California Bay, and Monterey Pines), with bushes (Coyote Brush, Poison Oak, Blackberry, wildflowers) and grasses are the common Flora. The biggest highlight is the dead Monterey Pines, as they provide habitat for Acorn Woodpeckers and Western Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms. In the spring and summer wildflowers are common, especially the vibrant orange California Poppy. The most common animals here are birds. Keep an eye peeled for the previously mentioned woodpeckers. Other highlights include, American Kestrels, Red-Tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls, jays, juncos, chickadees, etc. Western Fence Lizards are common on the trails, and butterflies and other insects can be found all over.

The Lamorinda area was historically inhabited by the Saklan Bay Miwok Native Americans. In 1841, the Mexican Government awarded a ~20,000 acre land grant to Joaquin Moraga and Juan Bernal, which became Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados. This land included much of present day Moraga. Donald Drive is named for Donald Rheem, a real-estate magnate who was heavily involved in the land acquisition and development of Moraga in the 1930s and 1940s. The section of Donald Drive along the Mulholland Ridge was historically open to vehicle traffic, but was closed and turned into a park. The Mulholland Ridge is named after William Mulholland, an engineer who helped design the Los Angeles Aqueduct.