Shell Ridge Open Space

Willow Spring Pond–Bramhall Pond, 4 sights

3.4 mi · ▲ 392 ft · 1 hr 20 min

Willow Spring Pond–Bramhall Pond, 4 sights is a 3.4-mile out-and-back in Shell Ridge Open Space near Walnut Heights, CA. The route passes Willow Spring Pond and Bramhall Pond. It climbs 392 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi217 – 472 ft3.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 37.88697, -122.01889
Nearest town Walnut Heights, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Willow Spring Pond–Bramhall Pond, 4 sights

3.4 mi · ▲ 392 ft · 1 hr 20 min

Elevation 218–471 ft

Out & Back · Shell Ridge Open Space

Trailhead: 37.88697, -122.01889

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:55 AM · sunset 7:10 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
  3. 0.2 miTurn left onto Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail, heading NW.
  4. 50 ftPass Willow Spring Pond.
  5. 0.1 miBear left, heading N.
  6. 0.7 miTurn left onto Fossil Hill Trail, heading SW.
  7. 50 ftPass Bramhall Pond.
  8. 250 ftTurn right onto Indian Creek Trail, heading S.
  9. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Fossil Hill Trail, heading NW.
  10. 250 ftBear right onto Kovar Trail, heading W.
  11. 0.2 miReach Willow Spring Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 0.2 miBear left onto Fossil Hill Trail, heading NE.
  13. 250 ftContinue straight onto Indian Creek Trail, heading E.
  14. 0.3 miTurn left onto Fossil Hill Trail, heading SE.
  15. 250 ftTurn right onto Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail, heading E.
  16. 0.6 miTurn right, heading SE.
  17. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  18. 0.2 miBear left, heading SW.
  19. 0.2 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

87% dirt9% paved4% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:55 AMSunset 7:10 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~4 min). Leave by 6:45 PM for the 7:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 8 min before dark. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

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