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Apay Way/Bayview Salt Pond Loop

Apay Way/Bayview Salt Pond Loop Photo by Dan Hill

by Ann Sieck — published October 01, 2009

From Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge headquarters, Apay Way Trail climbs to cross Highway 84 atop the toll plaza and immediately overlooks the 300-foot-deep Dumbarton rock quarry, skirting its crumbling slopes and dark chert cliffs banded rust, yellow, and silver. Green water glimmers far below. The digging has ended here, and if a source of fresh water to fill and maintain it can be found, the plan is to create a "Dumbarton Quarry Lake" Regional Park.

The trail follows the Bay's edge north into Coyote Hills Regional Park, alongside the refuge's levee-sectioned salt ponds. At high tide we passed one great egret after another, hunting separately, then watched a flock of paddling white pelicans scatter over the water and converge to corner fish against the shore. Hopeful terns hovered and dove; swallows darted after smaller prey.

After 1.4 miles, Apay Way reaches Bayview Trail, a 3.5-mile loop bordering Coyote Hills' lush marshlands, where hundreds more pelicans had gathered and a docent told us of recent sightings of a golden eagle and a navigationally challenged (or zoo-escaped?) flamingo.

This walk was 6.3 miles; longer hikes are possible. The trail has little shade, but with the Bay breeze you need a sweater and a hat.

Getting there: To reach the Don Edwards trailhead, exit Highway 84 at Thornton Avenue and turn left on Marshlands Road. No charge to park; dogs and bikes permitted.

Ann Sieck, a semiretired teacher, has lived in Berkeley most of her life. Her website, wheelchairtrails.net, provides trail reviews focused on accessibility.

This article is part of our "On the Trail" series, which highlights a particular park or trail you can visit.

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