Walking Tour Shepherd Canyon and Tales of the Tunnel

About this event

A walking tour on the Montclair Railroad Trail will chronicle the changes in Shepherd Canyon in the 20th Century. A walking tour on the Montclair Railroad Trail will chronicle the changes in Shepherd Canyon in the 20th century. The tour will begin at the site of the Montclair Flag Stop of the Sacramento Northern Railway, approached by a short trail at the end of La Salle Avenue to the Montclair Railroad Trail.

Topics to be discussed include the engineering marvel of Melin Cut, the towers of the Great Western Power Company, Wickham Haven’s Victory Highway, the construction of Park Blvd. though Shepherd Canyon, Banning’s “Baffling Buildings”, and fact and fiction at the west portal of the Sacramento Northern Railway tunnel to Contra Costa County.

The 2.8 mile out-and-back on the trail is paved, and rises uniformly 225 ft. (3% average grade) on the outward portion.

Leader: Stu Swiedler, is a physician-scientist who has lived in Oakland since 1989. He is author of the web site, The East Bay Hills Project (https://www.eastbayhillsproject.org) combines images of the railroad with aerial views to tell the story of the development of Montclair. The East Bay Hills Project was started to leave a photographic record and satisfy the curiosity of those seeking the basis for the changes to the area. His appreciation for the impact the railroad made to the area was derived from numerous bike rides and runs through the hills between Oakland and Mount Diablo with his wife Judy.

Location: Shepherd Canyon and Paso Robles Drive

Notes:

• Vouchers, limited-income pricing, and any other special sales circumstances will be handled onsite at the starting point on the day of the walking tour.
• To protect our community, face coverings are required.
• Please check your email the morning of the walking tour for any last-minute changes, clarifications, or cancellation.