Mile 0.0: Begin to the left of the Shady picnic area, at a metal fence. Walk a few feet, then pass through a cattle gate on unsigned Elderberry Trail. Oaks and bays guard creek crossings, but otherwise you'll be walking through grassland at the base of Rocky Ridge. Mile 0.4: Just past a corral, you'll reach a junction. Turn right to remain on Elderberry Trail. The trail ascends, pushing the envelope of moderate, first through oak and California bay woods, then through grassland. Mile 1.2: A path, not on the map, cuts off to the right. Continue straight on Elderberry Trail, which wanders up and down, but gradually ascends. Mile 1.9: A sharp final climb brings you to the ridgeline. Turn right onto Upper Trail, which takes a roller coast course along the ridge. There are amazing views to be had, of Mount Diablo to the east, and the East Bay MUD lands to the west. In spring flowers commonly spotted include fiddlenecks, filaree, and California poppy. Check out the rocks jutting up from the sides of the trail; these formations originated under the sea, and you might be able to make out shells imbedded in the rocks. Mile 2.2: Junction with Devil's Hole Trail. Stay to the right on Upper Trail, which heads slightly downhill, to the east of the ridgeline. Mile 2.6: Junction. Turn right onto Cuesta Trail. After a short steep drop, the tiny trail veers left and adopts a more sane pattern of short ups and downs. In spring, bushes of lupine add bright bursts of purple to the grassy hills on the left. Mile 2.8: Junction with path back down to Elderberry Trail. Continue straight on Cuesta Trail. There are lots of cow paths tracing the grassland, and the trail can be hard to follow. Mile 4.0: Cuesta Trail ends at paved Rocky Ridge Road. Turn right. The paved broad trail descends at a moderate grade, with a few steeper sections. Mile 4.7: Once through a final cattle gate, you'll be back at the trailhead.
