AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
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Shell Ridge Open Space

Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 8 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 886 ft · 1 hr 51 min

Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 8 sights is a 4.2-mile out-and-back in Shell Ridge Open Space near Alamo, CA. The route passes TwinPonds and Twin Ponds before reaching Bob Pond at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It climbs 886 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 60/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi433 – 696 ft · steepest grade: 20%4.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Franco Ridge Ridge Trail 37.87558, -122.01768
Nearest town Alamo, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 8 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 886 ft · 1 hr 51 min

Elevation 434–695 ft

Out & Back · Shell Ridge Open Space

Trailhead: Franco Ridge Ridge Trail · 37.87558, -122.01768

Weather Aug 3: Mostly clear, high 101°F / low 63° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:14 AM · sunset 8:16 PM

  1. Start on Franco Ridge Ridge Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.4 miTurn right onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading NE.
  3. 50 ftBear left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading N.
  4. 0.7 miTurn left onto Foothills Trail, heading NE.
  5. 0.3 miTurn left onto Borges Ranch Trail, heading N.
  6. 0.2 miPass TwinPonds.
  7. 50 ftPass Twin Ponds.
  8. 50 ftTurn left onto Twin Ponds Loop Trail, heading N.
  9. 50 ftContinue straight onto Borges Ranch Trail, heading N.
  10. 0.4 miPass Bob Pond.
  11. 0.2 miTurn right onto Hanna Grove Trail, heading NW.
  12. 250 ftBear left onto Borges Ranch Road, heading N.
  13. 50 ftReach Bob Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  14. 50 ftBear right onto Hanna Grove Trail, heading E.
  15. 250 ftTurn left onto Borges Ranch Trail, heading E.
  16. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Twin Ponds Loop Trail, heading SW.
  17. 50 ftTurn right onto Borges Ranch Trail, heading SW.
  18. 0.2 miTurn right onto Foothills Trail, heading S.
  19. 0.3 miTurn right onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  20. 0.7 miBear right onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading NW.
  21. 50 ftTurn left onto Franco Ridge Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  22. 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/bob-pond-bob-pond-out-back-8-lakes-4-km-503f

Trail surface

99% dirt1% paved

Weather

Mostly clearTemperature 101°F63°
Feels like81°Precip0%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity28%
Hourly temperature
105°60°
Sunrise 6:14 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:16 PM
Tue 90°63°
Wed 89°55°
Thu 97°56°
Fri 103°61°
Sat 103°59°
Sun 102°58°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~41 min). Leave by 7:15 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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