Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 5 lakes
3.4 mi · ▲ 559 ft · 1 hr 25 min
Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 5 lakes is a 3.4-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, 1.7 miles in. It climbs 559 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 66/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bob Pond–Twin Ponds, 5 lakes
3.4 mi · ▲ 559 ft · 1 hr 25 min
Elevation 429–663 ft
Out & Back · Shell Ridge Open Space
Trailhead: Franco Ridge Loop Trail · 37.87530, -122.01516
Weather Aug 3: Mostly clear, high 101°F / low 63° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:14 AM · sunset 8:16 PM
- Start on Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading NE.
- 0.5 miBear left onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading N.
- 450 ftBear left onto Twin Ponds Loop Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftPass TwinPonds.
- 50 ftPass Twin Ponds.
- 250 ftSharp left onto Borges Ranch Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miReach Bob Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miSharp right onto Twin Ponds Loop Trail, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 0.7 miBear right onto Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail, heading SE.
- 450 ftBear right, heading W.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Franco Ridge Loop Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miArrive 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 1.6 mi in (~50 min). Leave by 7:06 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Franco Ridge Loop Trail Trailhead
- Twin Ponds–TwinPonds, 7 sights 3.6 mi · ▲ 516 ft
- Holey Rock–Borges Ranch Trail, 7 sights 16.1 mi · ▲ 3,392 ft
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