Vollmer Peak

Looking northeast to Briones Reservoir.

20 SEPTEMBER 2024 W6/NC-298

Two Stars – a nice summit. I’d do it again. Recommended.

Elevation:	1,906′
Route:	Trail
Hike Distance:	1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:	375′
Navigation:	Easy
Steepness:	Gentle
Vehicle:	Passenger car
Road:	Paved
Cell Coverage:	Excellent Verizon

Hike basics

If Flint Peak in Southern California is owned by David N6AN, then Vollmer Peak should be renamed Mount Pisor for K6EL’s myriad summit-to-summit contacts from this pleasant hike in the suburban hills of Berkeley. Many times I have been gratified to hear “Two dollars and ninety eight cents” from El.

I left Topanga Canyon at 4AM and braved the semis up I-5 on a trip that was to take my to my old climbing buddy Bill Smith’s house. We were going to take in the last few games that the Oakland A’s were going to play at the Oakland Coliseum. I could not resist adding a SOTA activation into the fun mix.

The trail to the summit is easy to follow but the circuitous drive up into the Berkeley Hills is a bit more challenging. Since I was a boy I have always loved the Bay Area. Compared to Southern California is was always cooler, greener and more beautiful to my eye. This lovely hike is a perfect example. The marine layer streamed in the Golden Gate and played cat-and-mouse with the bridges while Mount Tamalpias and Mount Diablo lorded over the green and gold of the autumnal equinox in the heart of California. The trail was lush with ferns and raspberry (and a lot of poison oak!) muddy from the copious fog-drip precipitation slakes the thirsty redwoods.

Here is my track up Vollmer Peak

This was a work day for me and as I was on call, I made the activation shorter than I otherwise might’ve. Band conditions were poor, but I still had no trouble getting the requisite 4.