Vista Loop

Vista Loop is found along Joice Trail, at the high point of Joice Trail, 1.0 miles from the Joice Trail trailhead at Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. Turning off Joice Trail, almost immediately the trail splits - go right at this split to hike Vista Loop counter-clockwise, as described here. Vista Loop heads west through the oak studded grass hills, gradually climbing even higher on the northeast side of Bernal Hill. To the right, the hillside drops off and there are great views of the Diablo Range in the distance, including Mount Hamilton. Going counter-clockwise on Vista Loop, at about the 0.3 mile mark, the trail bends left and does a short, steeper climb through a thinly wooded section. Coming out of the woods, the trail bends left again, and the top of Bernal Hill is close by on the right. Continuing on, now descending gradually on the south side of a shoulder of Bernal Hill, the hillside rises to the left, and drops off to the right, providing great views of the distant Santa Cruz Mountains including their highest peak - Loma Prieta. After 0.6 miles, the Vista Loop trail split is reached, followed by the Joice Trail junction.