West County Landfill Loop, Richmond  AA-B; ***; 1.4 miles; Rainy Weather Yes   INFO     MAP

Here are some pictures of this trail, which is entirely accessible and gives you a close-up look at where our trash goes (the "garbage mountain"), where our gasoline comes from (the Chevron refinery) and maybe where our energy could come from (a field of giant solar collectors). The info link above is to a very short review I wrote of it that ran in Bay Nature Magazine.

From the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC) description:

Republic Services opened the 1.4-mile phase 1 Bay Trail segment in 2006. This is the first phase of a planned 3-mile trail completely encircling the landfill and offering spectacular views looking over Wildcat Creek Marsh and San Pablo Bay with abundant birds and other wildlife. The balance of the circumference trail will be built in stages with completion of the entire loop in 2010, including parallel higher elevation trails and picnic facilities.

Details: From Richmond Parkway, go west on Parr Boulevard 0.2 mile past turns and killer speed bumps, keeping to the left and following signs for the Bay Trail, to the Landfill Loop staging area at the end. Gravel parking lot with no designated parking and no toilet of any kind, though a few benches are provided. Non-service dogs not permitted. Wind off the bay can be icy. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; gates locked at 5.

Here are a few of the pictures we took: