Apay Way/Bayview Salt Pond Loop

Photo by Dan Hill

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Oct-Dec 2009

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by Ann Sieck

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.