Nine women of the Bay Area Women's Midweek Hiking Group set out on an 18+ mile trek to Rose Peak, the highest point in Alameda County, gaining over 4,400 feet in elevation on a nearly perfect hiking day. With a light breeze, temperatures in the low 60s, and a mix of sun and clouds, the exposed trail was surprisingly comfortable. The rolling hills were painted in every shade of green and gold, with glowing white grasses catching the light—a stunning backdrop for our climb.

The route offered sweeping views of the Bay Area, with Mission Peak and Mount Diablo visible from higher elevations. Along the way, we encountered cows (including some politely lounging on the trail), fearless ground squirrels, a relaxed Pacific gopher snake, a striking alligator lizard, and—most impressively—two bobcats.

The summit of Rose Peak rewarded us with panoramic views (much better than what the review would suggest) and a perfect lunch spot. We snapped our summit photos, signed the logbook, and began our return journey.

We chose to take the McCorkle Trail from Camp Ohlone Road to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail on the way up, but it wasn't a great choice as it was an overgrown, steep, and not well maintained trail. We returned via the Camp Ohlone Road, a shaded and scenic path past Little Yosemite and the famous “W” tree. In the end, we all agreed that it was a long hike with some steep sections, but quite doable.