Twin Ponds–TwinPonds, 5 sights
2.7 mi · ▲ 458 ft · 1 hr 8 min
Twin Ponds–TwinPonds, 5 sights is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Shell Ridge Open Space near Walnut Heights, CA. The route passes TwinPonds and Twin Ponds. It climbs 458 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 68/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Twin Ponds–TwinPonds, 5 sights
2.7 mi · ▲ 458 ft · 1 hr 8 min
Elevation 358–660 ft
Out & Back · Shell Ridge Open Space
Trailhead: 37.88769, -122.01444
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:55 AM · sunset 7:10 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 200 ftBear left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail, heading E.
- 0.4 miSharp right onto Borges Ranch Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Twin Ponds Loop Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftPass TwinPonds.
- 50 ftPass Twin Ponds.
- 0.4 miReach Twin Ponds, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miSharp left onto Borges Ranch Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading W.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 6:29 PM for the 7:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Franco Ridge Loop Trail–Ridge Top Trail, 3 sights 6 mi · ▲ 1,006 ft
- Willow Spring Pond–Bramhall Pond, 7 sights 5.5 mi · ▲ 940 ft
- Flat Top Trail–Hanna Grove Trail, 3 sights 4.2 mi · ▲ 1,033 ft
- Costanoan Trail–Flat Top Trail, 3 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 1,093 ft
- Franco Ridge Loop Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 410 ft
- Franco Ridge Ridge Trail & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 474 ft
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