Wildcat Marsh Landfill: Circumnavigating Garbage Mountain
The Wildcat Creek Marsh and Landfill Loop Trail along the San Pablo Bay in Richmond officially opened on 4/30/2011. Today we hiked the new 2.8 mile loop trail around Garbage Mountain, a 350-acre landfill with a 158-foot tall hill of rubbish and industrial waste. The trail passes the large solar panels of the West County Wastewater District, a power generating plant that runs on decomposing waste, and includes views of the Chevron Richmond Refinery. The bird-watching and Bay views are excellent. If you're sensitive to bad smells or pollen, you may want to hike elsewhere. More information and a map are available on the City of Richmond's website. Important notes about hours and directions:
- The map seems to indicate that the Wildcat Creek Trailhead connects to the Landfill Loop. This trail is a 0.25 mile out and back that does not go through (a connection is slated to be built in the fall of 2011). When you're driving on Richmond Parkway from either Hwy 80 or Hwy 580, Parr Blvd. is the correct exit for the Landfill Loop Trail.
- The Wildcat Creek Trailhead is part of the East Bay Regional Park District, and is open until 10pm. However, Wildcat Creek Marsh and the Landfill Loop Trail are open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., 7 days per week. The gate is locked at 5 p.m.
