Started from the end of Parkridge Dr. (off Skyline Blvd). MacDonald Trail to Grass Valley Trail to Goldenrod Trail. About halfway south to the old stone bridge, 7 hikers cut across the creek and headed back to the designated lunch stop at Bort Meadow. The remaining 8 walked on to the stone bridge, crossed and returned to meet the first group for lunch. Distances: Short group 3.73 miles to lunch; longer loop 5.05 miles; lunch to parking lot .37 mile.
1/21 - Strawberry Canyon and Art Exhibit at the Botanic Garden
1/28 - Mt Diablo: Knobcone Pt to Madrone Canyon
From Curry Point out along Manzanita Row, and
early lunch at a sheltered picnic table; back to the trail
junction and down into the canyon; the Trail Through Time back up
Madrone Canyon to the Lower Rock City Picnic Area. Manzanitas in full bloom, lots of Indian
Warrior and Milkmaids; green grass, new leaves, ferns: polypody,
maidenhair, goldback, sword, wood, coffee and bracken, etc. etc. A
little over 4 miles.
2/4 - Rossmore East Ridge
From the end of Cactus Ct, up to and along the ridge to the far end of the Valley. Walked back along the road to Jeanne's for lunch as the fog was terribly thick and wet.4.5 miles if walked the entire circuit.
2/11 - Dutra and Sky Ranch (MHLT)
Trailhead off Franklin canyon Rd, by the stables. Muddy after the weekend rain, but quite passable and very nice once up on the ridge. 3.8 miles
4.2 miles; it felt longer with an elevation gain/loss of 1662 feet. Beginning where The Highland Ridge Trail crosses Morgan Territory Road, we took Highland Ridge Trail up to the ridge, then returned via Raven and Fox Trails.
We saw lots of fritillaria blooming this year in contrast to the last time we hiked this trail in the hills west of Fairfax in Feb. 2012. But the shooting stars were past. There were 15 which is a big turn out for our group. After the hike (about 2.7 miles for some of us and another mile for the more adventurous) two cars worth of hikers stopped in Fairfax for ice cream.
The experience was well worth the 60+ mile drive each way. The hike was approximately 4 miles on an exceedingly well engineered trail. Plenty of flowers to go with the views.
We met at the home of Alan Krock (Pat's son) in Blackhawk and proceeded to the end of Deer Meadow Drive where the Sycamore Canyon road begins.The distances on the trail posts were misleading; we hiked just a bit over 4 miles. Elevation gain/loss was 1076'.
The lower McGuire Peaks trail was closed due to storm damage, so we went to plan B and started from trailhead 6. 5.5 mile hike (elevation gain/loss of 1556') lots of flowers, green hills, and picturesque clouds.
4 mile hike in the grassy hills on the east side of Black Diamond Regional Preserve. We walked in the counter clockwise direction (all agreed this was THE way to go). Lunch was under an old oak just a short way up Acorn trail at the high point of our trail.
Only 3.9 miles, but it certainly felt longer! Loop from the Mitchell Canyon parking lot, up to Mitchell Rocks, further up to the saddle between the Twin Peaks and then down, down, down and back to the cars.1700' gain/loss and the trail down is very slippery. Lots of flowers, but things are drying fast.
Fourteen of us started from the Whitecliff Way trail head and walked in a CCW loop. Things are drying fast and there were few flowers left. We had an early lunch at Borges Ranch. Distance was about 3.9 miles, but feel free to add on as we wandered about at the ranch!
CCW loop along Condor, Volvon, Stone Corral and Coyote trails; 5.4 miles. It is getting very dry, but there were quite a few flowers. Lunch out at the far north end of the Volvon loop around Bob Walker Ridge.
CCW from the Old Tunnel Rd trailhead, up the canyon to Sibley RP, then to the west of Round Top and up the Volcanic Loop Trail, at the end of the trail we took a little deer path down the northwest side of the hill and regained the road which returned us to the cars. 3.5 miles. Many more flowers than we expected. Lots of rose family things in bloom:
We started from the large parking lot at the south entrance to the Reservoir and mostly followed the old road with various detours thru the woods and along the shore. The map is deceptive; the imagery is from last June when the reservoir was much fuller. We did not "walk on water". Distance was 4.25 mi +/- Lots of non-native flowering things, today.
From Blue Oak Picnic Area via Green Ranch Road to the old Green Ranch home site for lunch. 5 hikers returned via the Oak Knoll Trail (distance 2.6 miles). The other six continued on Green Ranch Rd to Frog Pond Rd, Curry Canyon Rd and Knobcone Rd to Curry Point (5.85 miles; elevation loss ~1500' followed by a gain of 550').
The genus of the day was Calochortus! We also saw the second bloom of the fire-followers whispering bells and golden ear drops.
We started with a visit to the Suisun Wildlife Center and then walked a mile and a half +/- at Patonia Slough Reserve. Annual luncheon at the Athenian Grill.then wandering about town enjoying the views and the wonderful public art.
A 3.8 mile walk in the comfortable shade of the redwoods. We went up Orchard Trail, 300' in about 1/3 mile, but after that everything was quite gentle. Lunch was at the tables where Fern Trail meets the main Stream Trail - the clearing where the foxgloves grow.
We walked from Chabot Park (end of Estudillo Ave.) up to the dam. Then followed Bass Cove trail to the junction with Columbine and Hawk Ridge Trails. We went a short distance up each before returning to the bench near the junction for lunch. About 4 2/3 miles
2/18 - Diablo (Pine Canyon)
3.7 mile loop with driver
shuttle. We began where Burma Road crosses Northgate Rd., taking
Buckeye Trail to Stage Rd, then picking up Burma Rd at Pine Pond
and returning to Northgate Road via Little Pine Creek. It was
very green and there was running water in the various creeks (and
along and across the road!).
More flowers than we expected, too.4.2 miles; it felt longer with an elevation gain/loss of 1662 feet. Beginning where The Highland Ridge Trail crosses Morgan Territory Road, we took Highland Ridge Trail up to the ridge, then returned via Raven and Fox Trails.
We saw lots of fritillaria blooming this year in contrast to the last time we hiked this trail in the hills west of Fairfax in Feb. 2012. But the shooting stars were past. There were 15 which is a big turn out for our group. After the hike (about 2.7 miles for some of us and another mile for the more adventurous) two cars worth of hikers stopped in Fairfax for ice cream.
The experience was well worth the 60+ mile drive each way. The hike was approximately 4 miles on an exceedingly well engineered trail. Plenty of flowers to go with the views.
We met at the home of Alan Krock (Pat's son) in Blackhawk and proceeded to the end of Deer Meadow Drive where the Sycamore Canyon road begins.The distances on the trail posts were misleading; we hiked just a bit over 4 miles. Elevation gain/loss was 1076'.
4/1 Round Valley
We all agreed that it is better to go clockwise on this loop (up Hardy Canyon and come down the open slopes after lunch). Triteleia laxa, some beautiful lupine, and plenty of Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), etc. along with fantastic views. 4.75 milesThe lower McGuire Peaks trail was closed due to storm damage, so we went to plan B and started from trailhead 6. 5.5 mile hike (elevation gain/loss of 1556') lots of flowers, green hills, and picturesque clouds.
4 mile hike in the grassy hills on the east side of Black Diamond Regional Preserve. We walked in the counter clockwise direction (all agreed this was THE way to go). Lunch was under an old oak just a short way up Acorn trail at the high point of our trail.
Only 3.9 miles, but it certainly felt longer! Loop from the Mitchell Canyon parking lot, up to Mitchell Rocks, further up to the saddle between the Twin Peaks and then down, down, down and back to the cars.1700' gain/loss and the trail down is very slippery. Lots of flowers, but things are drying fast.
Fourteen of us started from the Whitecliff Way trail head and walked in a CCW loop. Things are drying fast and there were few flowers left. We had an early lunch at Borges Ranch. Distance was about 3.9 miles, but feel free to add on as we wandered about at the ranch!
CCW loop along Condor, Volvon, Stone Corral and Coyote trails; 5.4 miles. It is getting very dry, but there were quite a few flowers. Lunch out at the far north end of the Volvon loop around Bob Walker Ridge.
CCW from the Old Tunnel Rd trailhead, up the canyon to Sibley RP, then to the west of Round Top and up the Volcanic Loop Trail, at the end of the trail we took a little deer path down the northwest side of the hill and regained the road which returned us to the cars. 3.5 miles. Many more flowers than we expected. Lots of rose family things in bloom:
We started from the large parking lot at the south entrance to the Reservoir and mostly followed the old road with various detours thru the woods and along the shore. The map is deceptive; the imagery is from last June when the reservoir was much fuller. We did not "walk on water". Distance was 4.25 mi +/- Lots of non-native flowering things, today.
From Blue Oak Picnic Area via Green Ranch Road to the old Green Ranch home site for lunch. 5 hikers returned via the Oak Knoll Trail (distance 2.6 miles). The other six continued on Green Ranch Rd to Frog Pond Rd, Curry Canyon Rd and Knobcone Rd to Curry Point (5.85 miles; elevation loss ~1500' followed by a gain of 550').
The genus of the day was Calochortus! We also saw the second bloom of the fire-followers whispering bells and golden ear drops.
We started with a visit to the Suisun Wildlife Center and then walked a mile and a half +/- at Patonia Slough Reserve. Annual luncheon at the Athenian Grill.then wandering about town enjoying the views and the wonderful public art.
6/10 rainout
6/17 - Mt Tam-Potrero Meadows
I didn't hike - no picturesA 3.8 mile walk in the comfortable shade of the redwoods. We went up Orchard Trail, 300' in about 1/3 mile, but after that everything was quite gentle. Lunch was at the tables where Fern Trail meets the main Stream Trail - the clearing where the foxgloves grow.
7/1 too hot
We walked from Chabot Park (end of Estudillo Ave.) up to the dam. Then followed Bass Cove trail to the junction with Columbine and Hawk Ridge Trails. We went a short distance up each before returning to the bench near the junction for lunch. About 4 2/3 miles
7-12 to 7/17 Caples
Lee, Ulla and Karen did a reconnaissance hike.
Lots of flowers and thus very slow progress; a little over 1 1/2 mile up and back.
Ulla, Lee and Karen started from Woods Lake. At Winnemucca, Debbie joined them and they went up to Round Top Lake, explored the moraine on the south shore and took the Lost Mine Trail back to Woods Lake. About 6 miles.
Susan, Monique, Juanita, Ron, Polly, Jeanne, Debbie (and Debbie's son-in-law and grandson) started at the pass and went to Frog Lake. From there Susan and Monique headed up the slopes of Elephant's Back. The others came on to Winnemucca where all paused for lunch. All but Debbie returned to the Pass.
Arriving later, Phred and Elaine went as far as Frog Lake.
Debbie, Phred, Elaine, Lee, Ulla and Karen hiked from the dam to Emigrant Lake and then took the trail labeled "Kirkwood Mdw" hoping to find an easy/direct route over the saddle to Kirkwood. The result was a hike that felt much longer than it actually was...somewhere around 7.75 miles as it is hard to judge just how we zigzagged up the ski run. Once on top of the saddle we were a bit lost and ended up taking a longer than necessary route down to the village.
Jeanne, Ron and Sylvia did some car-based exploring; Juanita went to Reno; Susan, Dan and Bridget, Monique and Polly walked up the Meiss Crest and then headed over to Grover Hot Springs.
Juanita stayed at Caples and went kayacking; Phred, Elaine, Monique and Jeanne walked the Old Highway section before heading home. Susan and Polly did a similar hike, starting later. They continued up the road and went as far as the historic area just below the pass.
Ulla, Lee and Karen drove over the pass and down the Blue Lakes Road. There were several objectives: document the Charity Valley Trailhead (done), find the start of the Thornburg Canyon Trail (unsuccessful on the ground, easy on Google Earth once home), explore some of the lakes near FS Rd 204 and along that section of the PCT. Their main walk was from a parking spot above Lower Sunset Lake, along the PCT, lunch at Lily Pad Lake and on to an unnamed lake and back; just under 4 miles
We meandered up the hill toward the crest, roughly following the old fence posts, We found a wonderful garden at the edges of a swale nestled between two dark rock ridges. We made it to the first peak on the ridge for lunch, but didn't linger as the clouds were building in and thunderstorms were predicted. We got a bit of rain as we started down to the main trail, but not enough to really matter. Our mileage (again approximate since we wandered a great deal) was about 4.5 miles.
Along Mormon Emigrant Rd we saw a trailer with wooden carts. I'm fairly sure they were for a re-enactment of the Mormon Battalion trek in the summer of 1848 which established this route.
7/22, 7/29 and 8/5 I did not hike (dentist and travel)
The hike began at the intersection of Ripkin and Claremont Canyon. We walked thru Garber Park, wended our way along Oakland and Berkeley streets and paths/steps, and stopped by Peets on Domingo before heading back up hill via more steps to have lunch at the old foundation at the upper end of the park. It was a short hike distance-wise, but the steps made it feel much longer. Jack's pedometer registered 2.7 miles; my Google Earth calculation was just under 2.6.
We enjoyed a visit to the Hearst Museum on the St Mary's campus for an exhibit of late 19th & early 20th century watercolors entitled "Bright and Beautiful" as well as photographs of Vasco caves by Stephen Joseph and some very different modern art entitled River Passages by Danae Mattes who was actually in the gallery!
Since the museum doesn't open until 11am, we started out by walking from the OSH parking lot along the Lafayette-Moraga Regional trail out to the Valle Vista staging area and back; that part of the day was 2.7 miles.
We enjoyed the cooler weather on the Bay side of the hills, walking from the Pt Isabel parking lot, along the Hoffman Marsh and Meeker Slough section of the Bay Trail to Shimada Friendship Park and return, for a total of 4 miles (+/-).
12 of us started from Inspiration Point and walked out Nimitz Way and down Laurel Canyon Trail to Jewel Lake and the Environmental Education Center. Monique shuttled Shirley and Juanita back to the cars, while 6 of us walked up Meadow Canyon. Shirley picked up the other 3.. 3.4 miles for the shorter hike; 5.25+ for the longer one.
Ten of us did the hike along the south shore of Briones Reservoir, beginning at the Bear Creek parking lot and ending at the lot by the dam. The day was reasonably warm and we were glad of the shade. Even tho we know everything is dry, the shriveled Mimulus and Baccharis, leafless gooseberries and drooping ferns made a big impression. Maples and oaks were beginning to loose their leaves; there were berries on the honeysuckle and Madrones. We did see some healthy flower buds on Manzanitas, tho. Quite a few birds. EBMUD has pumped in water for extra storage, so the reservoir was much fuller than when we hiked the train in Oct of 2013.
We walked from the main entrance to the park (end of Garin Rd) to the May St. entrance and back. About half way back the group split with some of us going up the steps to the ridge and then to the Ridge View Trail. The others stuck to the valley, returning the way we had hiked earlier. The Valley group walked about 4 miles, the Ridge group about 4.25.
This was a "lollipop" route from the red corral trailhead on Morgan Territory Rd to the Amphitheater and back via Crestview, Highland Ridge and Morgan Creek Rd. The Indian grinding holes in the Amphitheater were everywhere. No wonder as there were huge oaks in the area. We were very surprised by the number of galls on the leaves of many of the oaks; Delia identified the galls as andricus crystallinus.
We started from the Pinehurst trailhead and walked a counter-clockwise loop up to the ridge and back. The walk was shorter than Shirley intended as we omitted a loop of about .7 miles by cutting down a short trail just after the second lookout spur...even so the 2.7 miles felt like plenty on such a warm, muggy day.
We walked from the Tower Trail trailhead on Grizzly Peak Rd down to South Gate Rd and then up Vollmer Peak Tr to Seaview Tr. with a detour out the ridge; Steam Train parking lot for lunch. Drivers were ferried back. Distance was about 2.5 miles for most.
Ten of us did the hike along the south shore of Briones Reservoir, beginning at the Bear Creek parking lot and ending at the lot by the dam. The day was reasonably warm and we were glad of the shade. Even tho we know everything is dry, the shriveled Mimulus and Baccharis, leafless gooseberries and drooping ferns made a big impression. Maples and oaks were beginning to loose their leaves; there were berries on the honeysuckle and Madrones. We did see some healthy flower buds on Manzanitas, tho. Quite a few birds. EBMUD has pumped in water for extra storage, so the reservoir was much fuller than when we hiked the train in Oct of 2013.
We walked from the main entrance to the park (end of Garin Rd) to the May St. entrance and back. About half way back the group split with some of us going up the steps to the ridge and then to the Ridge View Trail. The others stuck to the valley, returning the way we had hiked earlier. The Valley group walked about 4 miles, the Ridge group about 4.25.
This was a "lollipop" route from the red corral trailhead on Morgan Territory Rd to the Amphitheater and back via Crestview, Highland Ridge and Morgan Creek Rd. The Indian grinding holes in the Amphitheater were everywhere. No wonder as there were huge oaks in the area. We were very surprised by the number of galls on the leaves of many of the oaks; Delia identified the galls as andricus crystallinus.
We started from the Pinehurst trailhead and walked a counter-clockwise loop up to the ridge and back. The walk was shorter than Shirley intended as we omitted a loop of about .7 miles by cutting down a short trail just after the second lookout spur...even so the 2.7 miles felt like plenty on such a warm, muggy day.
10/28 - no walk, rain forecast
Walk from Shimada Friendship Park at the end if Marina Bay Parkway to the Rosie the Riveter memorial at Marina Park, then on around the yacht harbor and to the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park next door to the old Ford Motor Plant (now Craneway Pavilion). Lunch at Assemble restaurant About 2.4 miles each way.
The 3.5 mile clockwise walk was just about perfect: new grass showing and baby ferns, still leaves with color on oaks and big leaf maples. It was warm in the sun if you were out of the wind. Just a lovely November Wednesday in northern California!
11/11 - Benicia - I was away, so no pictures
The 3.5 mile clockwise walk was just about perfect: new grass showing and baby ferns, still leaves with color on oaks and big leaf maples. It was warm in the sun if you were out of the wind. Just a lovely November Wednesday in northern California!
11/25 - no walk
Old Briones Rd to the Valley Trail, then Crest Trail to Crescent Ridge Trail and Seaborg Trail back to the parking area. Lunch was on the edge of a steep hill above the archery range. We were back early in spite of walking 5.2 miles!
Pollyan exploration of stairs and pathways on the west side of Rossmoor. It was a misty, drizzly day and not at all warm. A perfect day for SOUP!
Pollyan exploration of stairs and pathways on the west side of Rossmoor. It was a misty, drizzly day and not at all warm. A perfect day for SOUP!
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