I have entered Augustin Bernal Park many times by using this
easement. The location was 'hinted' to me by other GeoCachers when
I first started persuing caches in that park. The only other
'legal' access to the park is through the Golden Eagle gated
community, which only admits Pleasanton residents.
Well, I was on the Ridge today, and I picked up a Bernal Park
brochure someone dropped. Under the 'Access' section was this
paragraph...
Pedestrian access (no permit required) is available
from the Longview Drive cul-de-sac. Please note the signs
indicating that parking is limited to the lower south side
of Longview Drive.
So, no permit is required to enter the park using this
trailhead. It does not need to be a secret, and I've placed this
cache so you can find this route into this great under-utilized
park. From Augustin Bernal park you can hike into the Northern
reaches of Pleastanton ridge and see the beauty of upper Kilkare
canyon.
The trailhead hours are dawn to dusk. There is drinking water
somewhat North of where the trail reaches the top of the ridge.
Pleasanton Ridge park maps are available at the Foothill staging
area which is further south on Foothill Rd. More anonymous parking
is available on a street just East of where Longview meets
Foothill.
The main trail up the ridge is long, with many switchbacks and a
relatively easy grade. It is a favorite of mountain bikers. If you
are hiking, you can bypass a long switchback by taking the
hiker-only trail just past the water tank. If you do, after some
uphill you will reach a junction. Turn left there. (If you are
using it coming down, turn right.)
You can probably do this cache as a quick drive up, but if done
as part of a hike you will have to park down at the bottom of the
hill and walk up.