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Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area (East Bay MUD) AA-D; **; 2+ mile; Transit? Rainy Weather Yes INFO MAP
The other thing I don't like about Lafayette Reservoir is that it's very popular, and at least on the main trail one is constantly being passed by joggers and dog walkers. But if these drawbacks are not a problem for you, the lake is pretty,
with fine birdwatching. On our Lafayette is well outside the fog belt, and likely to be good and hot in summer, though this trail has some shade and whatever coolness the lake can furnish. Details: Take Highway 24 to Lafayette, exit at Mt Diablo Blvd/Acalanes
Rd. Drive east on Mt Diablo Blvd about 1 mile; park entrance is on the
right, a steep road up to the large parking lot. The charge to park
iis $6 a day, or a dollar an hour (bring quarters) at metered spaces.
With a disabled placard one may use a metered space at no charge Accessible vault toilets are provided at both ends of Lakeside Trail, as are tables for picnicking on mowed grass. Other toilets provided at frequent intervals around the lake are not accessible, however. I was glad to notice many benches situated along the trail. Unfortunately swimming is not permitted, but human powered boats may be rented, with a discount offered to people with disabilities. For information call the Lafayette Visitor Center: (925) 284-9669. Distance from Lafayette BART station about 1.5 mile, including a freeway underpass at Happy Valley Road. Street address about 3849 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Last visit, April 2009 |
First
the bad news about this park: most of it is entirely inaccessible to
anyone who cannot negotiate steep slopes. Only the "activity center"
immediately west of the parking lot can be reached by paths with moderate
slope. This is where the advertised all-access fishing pier is located,
and there are pleasant picnic areas with nice views over the water.
But the 2.7 mile long Lakeside Trail, which girdles the reservoir, goes
up and down again and again, and can only appeal to someone like me
with a reliable power chair or a manual chair user in quest of a good
workout. Neither direction takes you far without presenting challenges,
but it's probably a little easier if you start by heading west (counterclockwise)
from the parking lot.
early morning April visit we saw large flocks of wild turkeys and Canada
geese, and several kinds of ducks, warblers and raptors. Since my chair
was powerful enough to take the slopes, I found the smooth surface of
Lakeside Trail's asphalt very pleasant. Note that elsewhere in this
park are dirt fire trails which look to be even steeper than Lakeside
and rough as well.
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designated spaces with van access are also provided in several places.