Convict Viewpoint–Lake Anza, 4 beaches is a 4.1-mile out-and-back in Tilden Regional Park near Cragmont, CA. The route passes Lake Anza Beach and Lake Anza before reaching Convict Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2 miles in. It climbs 873 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 42/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi886 – 1,624 ft · steepest grade: 17%4.8 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Wildcat Gorge Trail 37.89399, -122.24601
Nearest town Cragmont, CA
Directions
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Convict Viewpoint–Lake Anza, 4 beaches
4.1 mi · ▲ 873 ft · 1 hr 48 min
Elevation 887–1,624 ft
Out & Back · Tilden Regional Park
Trailhead: Wildcat Gorge Trail · 37.89399, -122.24601
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:16 PM
Transit-accessible: Tilden Park Brazilian Room stop 76 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Wildcat Gorge Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftPass Lake Anza Beach.
- 0.1 miPass Lake Anza.
- 50 ftBear left onto Selby Trail, heading S.
- 1 miTurn right, heading E.
- 150 ftBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 1 miBear right onto Tower Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading E.
- 50 ftReach Convict Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left onto Grizzly Peak Trail, heading E.
- 1 miTurn right onto Selby Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 150 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 1 miBear right onto Wildcat Gorge Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
100% dirt
Weather
Sunrise 6:16 AMSunset 8:16 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~18 min). Leave by 7:38 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:44 PM — 1 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Tilden Park Brazilian Room stop 76 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Wildcat Gorge Trail Trailhead
- Lake Anza–Lake Anza Beach, 6 sights 3 mi · ▲ 808 ft
- Seaview Viewpoint–Lake Anza, 6 sights 4.6 mi · ▲ 1,212 ft
- Wildcat Peak–Rotary Peace Grove Overlook, 10 sights 6.7 mi · ▲ 1,348 ft
- Rotary Peace Grove–Lake Anza, 9 sights 7.2 mi · ▲ 1,431 ft
- Lake Anza–Lake Anza Beach, 7 sights 9 mi · ▲ 958 ft
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