he Lafayette Reservoir is a small man-made lake that's located in Lamorinda, CA, not too far from where I live. There is a large metered parking lot, a larger and never full parking lot for people who have purchased annual passes, and a blacktopped inner pathway that is almost always within sight of the water, as it winds around the lake. There are quite a few hills and bends and twists though, so it's not as easy a walk as the 2.7 mile paved distance would suggest.

For the stronger of leg, there's a dirt fire road called the Upper Rim trail that runs all the way around the lake before cutting back down to hit the parking lot at each end. The Upper Rim is a hike, since while it's always just up one hill from the lake, often boasts a glorious view of the water, and makes a basically circular path around the outside of the reservoir land, it goes up and down a lot of very steep hills. The trail is excellent, wide enough for trucks to drive on and frequently shaded by trees on both sides, but it is a substantial hike, and a crushing run.  Anyone can jog the 2.7 mile paved inner trail. Few manage the mountainous outer rim, and most of the people who try it (like myself) have to walk up many of the steeper hills. It's a good workout though, if you are in good enough shape to keep going at a fast pace the entire time, rather than getting tired and just walking the last 3 miles.

I don't usually make the entire outer circuit, preferring to do a couple of laps up and down an especially steep half mile side path, since the shorter and hillier run is plenty of exercise and much less likely to result in painful shin splints. But I do go for the whole lap from time to time, much to my frustration since my pace is always slower than I want it to be. How far is the trail all the way around? Good question.  I debated that issue in the February 7, 2004 blog. To quote myself:

I've seen the distance listed anywhere from 5-6.5 miles on various websites and maps.  I suppose the variance is due to the numerous side trails and turn offs, plus whether or not they include the whole circuit, or don't count the 1/4 to 1/2 miles of paved parking lot.  The most detailed description of the hike, as well as numerous rather ugly photos taken during the harsh sunlight of a late summer hike (hence the brown and yellow of everything; it's currently muddy and very green) can be found on the Bay Area Hiker website.  They list the distance as 4.69 miles, but they take the inner trial a little bit on each end, which is a lot shorter, and they only count the part they're on the dirt, ignoring the entire parking lot.

Overall, the Lafayette Reservoir isn't a great hike if you're out for adventure and scenery. Drive to Mt. Diablo if you want better trails and far fewer people and dogs. The reservoir isn't bad though, and it's great if you live nearby and want a good running workout.   Hundreds of locals walk around the inner paved path every day, and while far fewer brave the steep hills of the Outer Rim, I usually encounter at least half a dozen hikers on my rounds in the early evening.

¤ Our first visit to and circuit of the Lafayette Reservoir was documented in the August 22, 2003 blog.

¤ I also talked about the run, my times at it, and how far it is in a blog on February 7, 2004, and again on February 13, 2004.

• Photos are captioned with equal parts info and snark.
• Newer photos are added top.

A couple of pretty pictures of ugly weeds, taken by Malaya while I was doing the jogging you see above. The whole point here was to test out the new camera, and when we got home and viewed these shots in full size, we were amazed at the detail. Click either weed picture to see it much larger and crisper and clearer.
-- June 2004

A couple of long range zoom shots of me running, then stretching out as I try to catch my breath after a descent rapid enough to send my hat flying. These were both taken by Malaya when she was at least 300 or 400 yards away, up on top of a long hill. Love that zoom.
-- June 2004

The only view down into the rear basin from the Outer Rim. I need to take some more photos from up there, I realize as I look over this page. And take them at some time other than late afternoon, when the sun is slanting across from the west and hazing out the distant hills.

The lake is off to the right, and the upper rim runs along the top of those near hills, all the way around.
-- June 2004

This curious tower thing is the signature landmark for the Reservoir. It's standing in the water near the main parking lot, fenced off by a rectangular array of floating buoys, and serves no discernable purpose.  I assume it's got something to do with measuring the water condition, depth, and quality, but why it's out fifty feet from shore is a mystery.

A view from the side of the reservoir, with the dam and parking lot off to the right.
-- August 2003

Looking towards the read of the reservoir, from about the same spot as the above photo. Exciting view of a tree and water, isn't it?
-- August 2003

Probably the most interesting feature of the inner paved trail is this fallen tree. It's right beside the road, leaning down towards the pond, and it fell for no discernable reason.

I had to climb up on the tree, of course.
-- August 2003

One of the conveniences of the paved walkway are spray painted mile markers going in each direction, every .25 miles. Very handy when you're new to jogging and are trying to mark your pace and endurance.  The first time I managed to run all the way around the 2.7 mile course without stopping I only made it past 1.75 miles by counting down the distance in my head and telling myself I was much more than halfway there.

Here you see Malaya marking our progress in her new hiking boots.
-- August 2003

A view from the paved path showing that it does rise pretty far above the lake, in places. The brown expanse at the top left is the dam and parking lot behind it.
-- August 2003

A look at the paved path. It's well-maintained, relatively level, and marked with this handy center stripe that no one pays any attention to at all. At least that's how it seems when you're screaming around it in your first time on rollerblades in about three years.
-- August 2003

A look back towards the parking lot from about 60% of the way around, walking clockwise. It's tricky to estimate distances on the trail, since it and the lake wind around quite a bit, the path ahead is always hidden by trees, and just when you think you're on the home stretch, you turn left for half a mile.

The hills to the left are far in the distance, across the road. The hill to the right is part of the Outer Rim Trail, and the trail runs along the highest point you can see. There's a small water tank on the highest point to the right, where an especially thick cluster of trees are growing.
-- August 2003

Far from the steepest hill, but it's relatively representative of the grades you encounter on a regular basis. Everywhere you look up from the trail, you see the Outer Rim Trail, or at least you see where it is, though your view is usually blocked by trees.
-- August 2003

More to come...

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