Trail Blazer: Borges Ranch to Castle Rock Park Run

Growing up in Walnut Creek I never really appreciated the trails I had until I moved away. I used to hate the variety of trails I could choose to run on. At the time it just seemed like there were too many options. Little did I know there was a figurative gold mine of trails situated just behind Northgate where I went to high school. Now whenever I come back home to visit, I make it a point to pick a new trail to run on everyday. Even after 10 or so years of running in Walnut Creek's Open Space, I still find new and exciting trails to run on. Walnut Creek Open Space offers over 18,000 acres of public lands; this isn't including Mt. Diablo State Park.

One of my favorite loops to run is called the Waterfall Run, because during heavy rain fall creeks that are adjacent to the downhill portion of the trail start to form small waterfalls. I like to start this run from Old Borges Ranch. There are several different trails you can take that will get you to Stage Road trail in Castle Rock Park. Generally I make the run into a 6 to 10 mile loop. I believe the loop shown in the above map is approximately 7 miles. Sometimes I like to take detours and explore the rock formations of Castle Rock Park. One of my favorite formations is 'Devil's Backbone' which is only about 1.5 miles from Borges Ranch.