The whimsical wooden sculptures known as the Bridgeview Trolls can be found throughout the 1.4 mile hiking trail in upper Dimond Canyon in the East Oakland Hills.
The collection of trolls were created by a trio of local artists, who seek to remain anonymous (and are identified only by their initials C, D, and M).
The artists fabricate the trolls using materials they find in the forest and whatever other scraps happen to be lying around, like bits of redwood trees. The artists also take the time to maintain and replace trolls that may be damaged by weather or vandalism.
You can find trolls hanging from a branch, hiding in the crotch of an oak tree, or sitting at the base of a redwood. As the visitors seek out the sculptures as the stroll along the trail, it’s like playing “Where’s Waldo”, except with trolls.
The Trolls began appearing along the the ivy-covered hillsides in 2020. Maps providing the location of each troll can be found at the head of the trail.
Each of the wood sculptures have a name, including Bebe, Quincy, Arthur (one of the first trolls), Frank, Filbert, Grandpa, Izzy Fozzwich, Kramer, Mokee, Jupiter, Tabitha, Norton, and Sad Stu. And surely, there will be more trolls added as time goes by.
Bridgeview Hiking Trail
C/o Dimond Canyon
East Oakland Hills
Oakland, Ca
Born in Philadelphia, Jerome Alphonse Holst worked 30 years as a librarian. He has since retired and lives in Thomasville, North Carolina.
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