This small slice of the 2,078 acres of Berkeley's Tilden Regional Park gives a little bit of everything. Low grasslands along an open ridge. Magnificent view of the arid eastern hills off Inspiration Point. A cool walk beneath eucalyptus and oaks. It's a wide, easy trek.
Parents occasionally haul their infants in their backpack baby-carriers.
Bird watchers visit to catch glimpses of the hawks, turkey vultures and owls. The majority of the animal life I've encountered includes many rabbits neurotically scattering into the meadows as well as the many dogs that visitors bring for a walk. If you happen to check out this trail on a weekday morning, and see a runner wearing a bandana and sunglasses, panting out of breath, that's probably me. At the Lone Oak picnic area, you'll see a sign for the Meadows Canyon Trail. Follow this wide path as it slowly ascends about 400 vertical feet over 1.43 miles.