Directions to Jewel Lake
From Berkeley, Richmond, Albany
Take Arlington Blvd, then up Westminster, then right on Kenyon, then right on Purdue, then left on Beloit, then right on Grizzly Peak Blvd. Stop at the intersection of Grizzly, Wildcat Canyon, Cragmont and Cannon Dr. Make what will amount to a U turn to get on Cannon Dr. Cannon Dr is the only one that immediately goes down. When you get to the bottom, stay left at the fork and follow the signs to Little Farm, Jewel Lake or Indian Camp (they are all close to each other). Park at the only parking lot you will see pretty immediately.
From Oakland, Emeryville and Alameda, if you don't dislike steep routes:
Go up Marin Ave, then make a left on Grizzly Peak Blvd. After you pass Euclid and Cragmont to your left, slow down to look for the Cannon Dr entrance. This is an intersection with several roads: Grizzly, Wildcat Canyon, Cragmont and Cannon Dr.. Cannon Dr is the only one that immediately descends and will be almost directly in front of you coming from Grizzly. When you get to the bottom, stay left at the fork and follow the signs to Little Farm, Jewel Lake or Indian Camp (they are all close to each other). Park at the only parking lot you will see pretty immediately.
From Oakland, Emeryville and Alameda, if you hate Marin Ave:
Get off on Gilman, then take Santa Fe to Marin. Get to the Fountain at the Circle and go around the fountain until you find Arlington Blvd. Get on Arlington then go up Westminster, then right on Kenyon, then right on Purdue, then left on Beloit, then right on Grizzly Peak Blvd. Stop at the intersection of Grizzly, Wildcat Canyon, Cragmont and Cannon Dr. Make what will amount to a U turn to get on Cannon Dr. Cannon Dr is the only one that immediately goes down. When you get to the bottom, stay left at the fork and follow the signs to Little Farm, Jewel Lake or Indian Camp (they are all close to each other). Park at the only parking lot you will see pretty immediately.
Description
Jewel Lake is a delightful wildlife reservoir which includes many birds, turtles and small mammals. It is quiet except for the occasional hikers we will see. There are bathrooms at the entrance. Jewel Lake could get warm on hot days despite being largely in the shade of large redwoods. The parking lot is long and narrow, but it is shaded. We will meet at the entrance where the parking lot meets the grounds and walk together to the small lake.
Jewel Lake is also a location that requires preparation. The night before try to make sure you are not forgetting anything, because you don't want to have to walk back to the car and drive out of Tilden to retrieve what you forgot. We will walk ten minutes from the parking lot to the lake. There is a wooden walkway, but it is a good idea to stuff your supplies in a backpack or bring a cart with big wheels.
Any time you visit Tilden Park you need to prevent ticks from crawling up your pant legs or neck. Make sure your clothes can protect you. We will check each other when it is time to go. Dogs are not allowed at the Tilden Nature Area, however, this rule is not really enforced. Jewel lake lies quite close to the end of the Tilden Nature Area (Indian Camp) where dogs are allowed.
History
According to an article in Berkeleyside, Jewel Lake is an artificial reservoir located near the Wildcat Canyon Trail and the Lower Packrat Trail of Tilden Park that was constructed in 1921. It is currently suffering from “a significant buildup in sediment from Wildcat Creek.” The lake dam, originally meant in 1921 to catch water for human use, can still be seen in its northern side. The lake is on a trajectory to fill with sediment and become a sort of wetland-like area or meadow. It has been dredged twice since 1921 – in 1967 and 1991. It completely dries up during drought years. Berkeley residents have been trying to get the attention of the Regional Park District Board members representing Ward 1 in the hopes of getting the District to dredge it again, according to the Berkeley High School Jacket.
