Mile 0.0: Start from the parking lot (aim for a spot near the snack bar), turn to face the lake, then turn right and walk on a paved path. Mile 0.2: Just past the boat launch, you'll reach a gate and the start of East Shore Trail. The dirt trail keeps an agreeably flat pace, as it winds past pines, blue oaks, sagebrush, and a multitude of squirrel burrows. Mile 0.8: Junction. Turn right on Hetch Hetchy Trail. The wide trail climbs through grassland dotted with blue oaks. Mile 1.2: Crest, and junction. Veer right, following the sign, "to Hidden Canyon Trail." The trail descends a little. Mile 1.4: Junction. Continue straight/left, now on Hidden Canyon Trail. You'll ascend easily, with a ravine on the right and a hillside to the left. Mile 1.5: Junction. Continue straight on Hidden Canyon Trail. The incline is slight, as the trail winds through oaks. Mile 1.7: Just past a little pond on the left, the trail gains a few steep feet and reaches a T junction. Turn left onto Eagle Crest Trail. You might see buttercups in late winter along the trail, which climbs moderately along a little trough to the left, where a buckeye thrives amongst oaks. Mile 1.8: Junction. Turn right onto Ridgeline Trail. The trail sweeps uphill. Mile 1.9: Junction. Stay to the right to remain on Ridgeline Trail. Heading downhill through grassland, you'll get glimpses of the reservoir, as well as the hills to the west. Mile 2.2: Junction. Turn left to continue on Ridgeline Trail. The trail presses on downhill, through an area prone to landslides. In spring, you might see owl's clover and bicolor lupine in the grass. Mile 2.6: Junction. Continue straight on Ridgeline Trail. The trail climbs slightly, curves left, then descends some more. Mile 3.0: A few steps past a pond, you'll reach a junction with a trail that leaves the park. Continue straight on Ridgeline Trail. Sagebrush is the dominant shrub, but you might see bluewitch nightshade and paintbrush in bloom in spring. Oaks line the trail. Mile 3.2: Junction. Turn right, still on Ridgeline. A little bit of downhill hiking stands between you and the trailhead. There are good views back to sagebrush and oak-sprinkled hillsides to the right. Mile 3.4: Junction with East Tank Loop. Continue straight. Mile 3.5: Junction with other end of East Tank Loop. Continue straight. In winter, you might notice mistletoe dangling from the bare oak branches. Mile 3.8: End of the trail. Cross the street to the parking lot.
