1/6 - No hike, Rain.
1/13 - No hike. Rain over night and showers a.m.
1/20 - UC Botanic Garden
Since it was too muddy for our normal hike down Strawberry Canyon, we strolled around the Garden and then Lee McCaffree was our private docent for the exhibit of art work from the Alcatraz Florilegium project.
Not only did we see the Dirca, there were also Ribes and Osoberry and LOTS of mushrooms! And the mud was nowhere near as bad as it could have been. Mileage ranged from 3 to a bit over 3.25 miles
Rain predicted for the afternoon, so we stayed close to home. Most started from El Nido & Pine Ln. Variety of options for direction and turn-arounds; about 4 miles for most of us. Finished by noon..
We started at Curry Point and went out Knobcone Point Rd to Balancing Rock. We went just a bit further than the green gate and had lunch overlooking Sycamore Canyon Rd and Blackhawk Ridge. We retraced our route after lunch. About 4.5 miles.
Redwood Regional Park, starting from the Skyline Gate: out the East Ridge Tr, down Prince Trail to Stream Trail. We lunched at the tables by the bridge crossing. Return was up Stream to Eucalyptus to Phillips Loop and back to East Ridge and the cars. Distances varied but ranged from 4.5 to 4.75 miles. Highlights were lots of Trillium ovatum and masses of ladybugs!
A glorious spring day in Black Diamond Regional Park. We usually only find the white shooting stars in the field above Jim's Place. Today they were there right at the start, at the top of the stairs! Wild cucumber was everywhere. And the Indian Warriors were having a pow-wow. And birds...The group started together up the Chaparral Loop Tr, but we soon separated into sub-groups, joining briefly for lunch, then re-grouping for the return.
Mileage varied widely. Those of us who extended the loop to Coal Canyon walked about 5.5 miles. The others less.
On our first visit since 2013, we made a 3 mile, counter-clockwise loop from the parking area up Quarry Tr to Ranch Rd, then up to the Rock Garden, across May-December Tr, around the knoll, down to the big pond for lunch and back down Tilly Loop Tr to the cars. Plenty of flowers!
We started from the boat house and walked clockwise around the lake. We visited the Oakland Museum to view the Suiseki exhibit with Polly as a private docent. On the return part of the walk, a group of us detoured to the Cathedral of Christ the Light. 3.8 miles, not including walking about the museum!
North on Condor Trail, loop out along Prairie Falcon Tr and then back to Volvon. Continued north to where Blue Oak joins Volvon, then circled back. Several groups doing their own variations so distances ranged from about 3 to nearly 7 miles.
We were prepared to have mostly green with oaks, but were treated to the best display of Triphysaria eriantha - Butter 'n' Eggs or Johnny Tuck - that any of us can recall.
After slogging thru and across the stream at the start, we followed the utility access road up the slopes which form the south east side of North Peak until it dead ended at a pair of PG&E transmission towers. After lunch we retraced our steps as far as the side trail which returns to the valley. A brief detour to the creek and then we went down to the dam. Ulla and Karen went on and found the 2nd dam. It was a short walk, a little over 2.5 miles for most;elevation gain was about 660' in just under a mile from the cars to the lunch spot.
There were lots of flowers on the south facing slope we climbed before lunch; lots of regrowth with only occasional evidence of the intense Morgan Fire of Sept 2013.
Lots of green, water in the creeks and flowers! We hiked out Donner Canyon Rd to the Donner Cabin site, then took the Hetherrington Tr along the creek and rejoining Donner Canyon Rd. We turned downhill as far as Tick Wood Tr which we took around the point to meet the Back Creek Tr. Lunch was in a shady spot along the creek. We parked on Mountaire Pkwy this time as Regency has been so crowded on past visits. Of course this time it wasn't. Distance about 3.3 miles.
We started from the end of Westward Drive and made a loop up the Phyllis Ellman Tr to the Ring Mt Fire Rd with stops at the Petroglyph Rock and Turtle Rock. Return was via the Loop Tr. after lunch at the peak; about 2.6 miles. Oh, the flowers! Masses of blue eyed grass, tidy tips the size of half dollars, poppies and the Calochortus umbellatus (Oakland Star-tulip).
Not a Wednesday hike, a Karen and Ulla hike, but the flowers were too good not to share!
We started from the Regency Dr entrance, walked up the Donner Canyon Fire Rd to Cardinet Oaks Rd. Then Falls Trail to Middle Trail. Back to Donner Canyon Rd then down Hetherington Tr til we rejoined the Rd near the Cabin site. 5.4 miles with elevation gain/loss of about 1000'.
It is a hike which feels much, much longer than the 5 miles from Juniper Camp to Devil's Elbow via Bald Ridge and Prospector's Gap. The elevation loss is 870' from Juniper Camp to Deer Flat; then you climb 940' to Prospector's Gap and another 535 to the Devil's Elbow trailhead on Summit Rd. Thank goodness Karoline and Shirley were there to shuttle us back to Juniper Camp. .
A gray day with occasional light rain. We started from the end of Whitecliff Way, and walked counter clockwise. Several trail choices, including one to go out the Rock Spring exit, meant we walked about 2.5 miles.
We started from the Green Barn parking lot and made a clockwise loop up Indian Joe Creek Tr to Cave Rocks Rd, then up to Cerro Este Rd. Most of the group returned via McCorkle Tr, four of us took Cerro Este Rd down to Little Yosemite and then Camp Ohlone Rd back to the parking lot. Each group saw flowers the other didn't; we all saw lots of butterflies. 5.2 miles (the big group) or 6.2 miles (the 4) with elevation gain (and loss) of 1330'
We went out the Seaborg Tr., up to Crest Tr and down Valley Tr to Old Briones Rd. It was a bit over a 5 mile circle with an elevation change of about 700' up, then down.
Karoline made arrangements at the Union Hotel and that was an excellent choice. Before lunch we wandered about the 1st street area, explored the community garden and helped improve the local economy. Susan invited us to her house after lunch for tea and cookies and more good conversation.
We started from the parking area just past Blue Oak picnic area and walked east to the Green Ranch site (lunch stop) then returned via Oak Knoll Tr. Only 2.6 miles, but just like May 2015, we saw masses of C. venustus, the white Mariposa, and lots of Brodiaea elegans;
also the third bloom of the fire-followers whispering bells and golden ear drops.
For some history of the Green Ranch see: http://www.mdia.org/site/history/green-ranch
Most hiked about 2.6 miles: a counter clockwise loop: through the picnic area and up the steps to the dam, then Lagunitas-Rock Springs Rd, Lake Lagunitas Rd, Lake View Rd and Pilot Knob Tr.
Special flowers included Asyneuma prenanthoides, Piperia transversa, Spiranthes porrifolia, Navarretia viscidula and LOTS of Calochortus luteus.
3 miles in the shade of Joaquin Miller Park and Roberts Recreation Area. We started from the parking pull out on Skyline Dr., went up Bayview Tr to the riding ring, crossed the road into Roberts Recreation area, joined the Roberts Ridge Tr by the Rotary cabins, mozied down to the redwood grove, found the navigation tree monument, had lunch and returned to the cars via Big Trees Tr.
We hiked out Abrigo Valley to the Santos Trail; then Briones Crest Tr to Deer Creek Tr. 10 of us made the extra (half mile each way) trek from the junction of the Deer Creek and Pereira Trails to the knob above the Dickson Memorial; we return down Deer Creek Tr to the cars.4.7 miles or 3.7 mi.
The views were really amazing!
Karen and Ulla stopped for the lilies on Mormon Emigrant Rd
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9NH09u
Ulla and Karen met Judy at Red Lake and used Old Hwy 88 for a warm-up/scouting hike. Very windy, but plenty to see in 2.25 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/14Gk86
It is the first time since 2012 that we have gone this way and we went further along the trail than before...to the point where the trail descends over the granite to meet the trail to Burnside Lake. On the return we took the low way along the meadow. Total distance about 5.3 miles.
Six hikers made this loop (5.2 miles, 1200' elevation difference); the others started from Carson Pass and walked various trail combinations, but no others went to Round Top.
Susan, Polly and Ed walked Old Hwy 88 and then went to Markleeville for lunch.
Bob, Ulla and Karen hiked a loop at Kirkwood (4.5 mi)
We walked the north shore (Oursan Trail) starting from the parking lot on Bear Creek Rd. The last time we did the hike was in December of 2011 and we intended to have lunch in the same spot we chose then. That didn't happen; we went a bit further: 6.7 miles today vs 5.4 in 2011.
A 4.25 mile hike from the Steam Train parking lot on Grizzly Peak Blvd to Sibley RP for lunch and back as far as the Tunnel Rd trailhead where we had left Shirley's car as a shuttle for drivers.
Cool, grey coastal fog! We walked out to the coast and back along Tennessee Valley (3.75 mi) with lunch at the beach. Not lots of flowers, but a few if you looked. Beginning to be much like fall with reddening blackberry leaves, drying bracken and rose hips.
A 3.78 mile walk in the redwoods on a counterclockwise loop out Stream Trail, up Mill and French and down Chown to the Bridle Tr. Lunch at the junction of the Bridle Tr and Stream Tr. Very dry and dusty, but still lovely, especially up along Mill and French Trails.
Up Palo Seco Creek (Palos Colorados Tr), loop out to Lookout Point for an early lunch, and returnto the cars down Sinawik Trail and a few blocks through the neighborhood, followed by a straight shot along Mountain Blvd. About 2 3/4 miles.
Cogswell Marsh at Hayward Regional Shoreline. The tide was out. Shorebirds were busy in the mudflats. There were even a few flowers. 2.6 miles.
We started from Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area and walked back Pine Canyon. The original plan was to go as far as the picnic tables at the junction of Stage Rd and Little Yosemite Trail but a group of four went on past the junction with Burma Rd before turning back; the rest of us walked nearly to Pine Pond before turning around. Distances were approximately 4.2 and 4.6 miles.
We started from the end of Crown Road (Kentfield, I think) and followed the Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trail to the junction with the road of the same name, had lunch, then retraced our steps. Just over 3 miles.
Three different loops starting from the parking area at the end of Springhill Rd. in Lafayette: we all walked out Buckeye Ranch Tr; three turned off and made a short loop which avoided the steep sections. The rest of us trudged up to Lafayette Ridge (376 feet in just over 1/3 mile with some down & back up, too); two took off for more "up" and made the loop over to the Briones Ridge and Sunrise Trails, then returning down Buckeye Ranch Tr. The rest of us walked the undulating (sometimes steeply so) Lafayette Ridge Tr to Springhill Tr and back to the start. Mileage varied from 1.3 to 2.3 to at least 4.3. But the grade made that middle distance seem at least twice as far!
We hiked from the end of Hemme Ave, up Ringtail Cat Tr and Madrone Tr. We took the Clyde Wood Tr along the southwest rim of Rossmoor and descended to Terra Granada entrance 14 where Pat picked up the drivers and delivered them back to Danville. The connection to the Rossmoor trails makes a one-way hike possible. But the Veltman Tr descent is very steep and slippery. Shirley said once was enough for her. Distances were 4 (drivers) and 4.78 (everyone else) miles.
We walked from the San Miguel shopping center lot to San Miguel Park where we joined the Ygnacio Canal Trail, then walked the trail as far as Arbolado Park where Jeanne met us. Return was via the same route, but Jeanne ferried several drivers back to their cars and only 7 walked both ways. It is 2.9 miles from where we parked to the lunch spot.
Lovely after our October rain with lots of green showing, plenty of toyon berries glowing red, burnished buckeye fruit, red of PO. Birds were plentiful, juncos and sparrows, flickers calling and greebs, ducks, gulls and white pelicans on the reservoir. Really a nice day to be out. 4.6 miles give or take as groups explored sections of the Lakeview Tr. Camera lost in trunk, so only map on Flickr
We took the Mitchell Canyon Rd as far as White Canyon, then Red Rd up to the junction with Olofson Ridge Rd. From the junction to the park boundary is .8 mile. Half the group went the entire way, the remainder stopped before the last climb. This was an out and back hike (5 or 5.25 miles). Wonderful grapevine color; lots of buckeyes.
We started from both the parking area at the dam and also the trailhead at Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd. We met at the benches on the point for an early lunch and all went back to the dam overlook parking lot. The"through" hikers walked 3.56 miles, the out and return group 2.8.We needed someone to help with fungus id as we saw lots and many were ones we hadn't seen before.
Starting from the Hall Dr. end we walked the ridge which separates Moraga Valley from Orinda and Rheem. We made a loop of just over a mile and a half, first along the ridge and then down the slope on a single track trail to meet Alice Lane before returning to the cars.
We walked up the Sulpher Creek Tr. and down to Borges Ranch for lunch. We returned via Costanoan Trail. 4 miles with lots of up and down, but no rain. The trick to getting to the Sulpher Creek Tr is to go thru the first gate and then follow the fence line by the private gate until you reach a ranch gate exiting onto the driveway. Turn left, downhill, and in about 200 yds the gate back into the open space is visible.
Not only did we see the Dirca, there were also Ribes and Osoberry and LOTS of mushrooms! And the mud was nowhere near as bad as it could have been. Mileage ranged from 3 to a bit over 3.25 miles
Rain predicted for the afternoon, so we stayed close to home. Most started from El Nido & Pine Ln. Variety of options for direction and turn-arounds; about 4 miles for most of us. Finished by noon..
We started at Curry Point and went out Knobcone Point Rd to Balancing Rock. We went just a bit further than the green gate and had lunch overlooking Sycamore Canyon Rd and Blackhawk Ridge. We retraced our route after lunch. About 4.5 miles.
Redwood Regional Park, starting from the Skyline Gate: out the East Ridge Tr, down Prince Trail to Stream Trail. We lunched at the tables by the bridge crossing. Return was up Stream to Eucalyptus to Phillips Loop and back to East Ridge and the cars. Distances varied but ranged from 4.5 to 4.75 miles. Highlights were lots of Trillium ovatum and masses of ladybugs!
A glorious spring day in Black Diamond Regional Park. We usually only find the white shooting stars in the field above Jim's Place. Today they were there right at the start, at the top of the stairs! Wild cucumber was everywhere. And the Indian Warriors were having a pow-wow. And birds...The group started together up the Chaparral Loop Tr, but we soon separated into sub-groups, joining briefly for lunch, then re-grouping for the return.
Mileage varied widely. Those of us who extended the loop to Coal Canyon walked about 5.5 miles. The others less.
On our first visit since 2013, we made a 3 mile, counter-clockwise loop from the parking area up Quarry Tr to Ranch Rd, then up to the Rock Garden, across May-December Tr, around the knoll, down to the big pond for lunch and back down Tilly Loop Tr to the cars. Plenty of flowers!
3/9 - No hike, rain
We started from the boat house and walked clockwise around the lake. We visited the Oakland Museum to view the Suiseki exhibit with Polly as a private docent. On the return part of the walk, a group of us detoured to the Cathedral of Christ the Light. 3.8 miles, not including walking about the museum!
North on Condor Trail, loop out along Prairie Falcon Tr and then back to Volvon. Continued north to where Blue Oak joins Volvon, then circled back. Several groups doing their own variations so distances ranged from about 3 to nearly 7 miles.
We were prepared to have mostly green with oaks, but were treated to the best display of Triphysaria eriantha - Butter 'n' Eggs or Johnny Tuck - that any of us can recall.
After slogging thru and across the stream at the start, we followed the utility access road up the slopes which form the south east side of North Peak until it dead ended at a pair of PG&E transmission towers. After lunch we retraced our steps as far as the side trail which returns to the valley. A brief detour to the creek and then we went down to the dam. Ulla and Karen went on and found the 2nd dam. It was a short walk, a little over 2.5 miles for most;elevation gain was about 660' in just under a mile from the cars to the lunch spot.
There were lots of flowers on the south facing slope we climbed before lunch; lots of regrowth with only occasional evidence of the intense Morgan Fire of Sept 2013.
Lots of green, water in the creeks and flowers! We hiked out Donner Canyon Rd to the Donner Cabin site, then took the Hetherrington Tr along the creek and rejoining Donner Canyon Rd. We turned downhill as far as Tick Wood Tr which we took around the point to meet the Back Creek Tr. Lunch was in a shady spot along the creek. We parked on Mountaire Pkwy this time as Regency has been so crowded on past visits. Of course this time it wasn't. Distance about 3.3 miles.
We started from the end of Westward Drive and made a loop up the Phyllis Ellman Tr to the Ring Mt Fire Rd with stops at the Petroglyph Rock and Turtle Rock. Return was via the Loop Tr. after lunch at the peak; about 2.6 miles. Oh, the flowers! Masses of blue eyed grass, tidy tips the size of half dollars, poppies and the Calochortus umbellatus (Oakland Star-tulip).
Not a Wednesday hike, a Karen and Ulla hike, but the flowers were too good not to share!
We started from the Regency Dr entrance, walked up the Donner Canyon Fire Rd to Cardinet Oaks Rd. Then Falls Trail to Middle Trail. Back to Donner Canyon Rd then down Hetherington Tr til we rejoined the Rd near the Cabin site. 5.4 miles with elevation gain/loss of about 1000'.
It is a hike which feels much, much longer than the 5 miles from Juniper Camp to Devil's Elbow via Bald Ridge and Prospector's Gap. The elevation loss is 870' from Juniper Camp to Deer Flat; then you climb 940' to Prospector's Gap and another 535 to the Devil's Elbow trailhead on Summit Rd. Thank goodness Karoline and Shirley were there to shuttle us back to Juniper Camp. .
A gray day with occasional light rain. We started from the end of Whitecliff Way, and walked counter clockwise. Several trail choices, including one to go out the Rock Spring exit, meant we walked about 2.5 miles.
We started from the Green Barn parking lot and made a clockwise loop up Indian Joe Creek Tr to Cave Rocks Rd, then up to Cerro Este Rd. Most of the group returned via McCorkle Tr, four of us took Cerro Este Rd down to Little Yosemite and then Camp Ohlone Rd back to the parking lot. Each group saw flowers the other didn't; we all saw lots of butterflies. 5.2 miles (the big group) or 6.2 miles (the 4) with elevation gain (and loss) of 1330'
We went out the Seaborg Tr., up to Crest Tr and down Valley Tr to Old Briones Rd. It was a bit over a 5 mile circle with an elevation change of about 700' up, then down.
Shirley chose Pt Pinole to avoid the inland heat and it was a great idea as the Bay breezes were pleasantly cool. We walked a clockwise route with lunch in the eucalyptus grove just south of the fishing pier. Most of us walked about 4.25 miles. There was real pleasure of seeing flowers we didn't expect: Calochortus luteus and Brodiaea elegans.
From the Sutherland Dr. entrance to Shell Ridge Open Space we walked clockwise: Fossil Hill Tr, Corral Springs Tr, Deer Lake Tr, Upper Buck Loop Tr, back to Corral Springs Tr to Ginder Gap then up Ridge Top Tr. with lunch in the shade of oaks below the ridge and down the north side of the ridge to rejoin Fossil Hill Tr.. 4.65 miles. Dry grass and lots of Clarkia and Brodiaea elegans.
From the Sutherland Dr. entrance to Shell Ridge Open Space we walked clockwise: Fossil Hill Tr, Corral Springs Tr, Deer Lake Tr, Upper Buck Loop Tr, back to Corral Springs Tr to Ginder Gap then up Ridge Top Tr. with lunch in the shade of oaks below the ridge and down the north side of the ridge to rejoin Fossil Hill Tr.. 4.65 miles. Dry grass and lots of Clarkia and Brodiaea elegans.
Karoline made arrangements at the Union Hotel and that was an excellent choice. Before lunch we wandered about the 1st street area, explored the community garden and helped improve the local economy. Susan invited us to her house after lunch for tea and cookies and more good conversation.
We started from the parking area just past Blue Oak picnic area and walked east to the Green Ranch site (lunch stop) then returned via Oak Knoll Tr. Only 2.6 miles, but just like May 2015, we saw masses of C. venustus, the white Mariposa, and lots of Brodiaea elegans;
also the third bloom of the fire-followers whispering bells and golden ear drops.
For some history of the Green Ranch see: http://www.mdia.org/site/history/green-ranch
Most hiked about 2.6 miles: a counter clockwise loop: through the picnic area and up the steps to the dam, then Lagunitas-Rock Springs Rd, Lake Lagunitas Rd, Lake View Rd and Pilot Knob Tr.
Special flowers included Asyneuma prenanthoides, Piperia transversa, Spiranthes porrifolia, Navarretia viscidula and LOTS of Calochortus luteus.
3 miles in the shade of Joaquin Miller Park and Roberts Recreation Area. We started from the parking pull out on Skyline Dr., went up Bayview Tr to the riding ring, crossed the road into Roberts Recreation area, joined the Roberts Ridge Tr by the Rotary cabins, mozied down to the redwood grove, found the navigation tree monument, had lunch and returned to the cars via Big Trees Tr.
We hiked out Abrigo Valley to the Santos Trail; then Briones Crest Tr to Deer Creek Tr. 10 of us made the extra (half mile each way) trek from the junction of the Deer Creek and Pereira Trails to the knob above the Dickson Memorial; we return down Deer Creek Tr to the cars.4.7 miles or 3.7 mi.
The views were really amazing!
7/10-7/15 Caples Week
We had beautiful weather and wonderful hikes. The flowers were late this year and we saw some for the first time in many years, while others were not yet ready to bloom.
7/10 - Arrival
Lee and Chuck hiked from Schneider's Camp to the Meiss Crest with a loop to Showers Karen and Ulla stopped for the lilies on Mormon Emigrant Rd
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9NH09u
Ulla and Karen met Judy at Red Lake and used Old Hwy 88 for a warm-up/scouting hike. Very windy, but plenty to see in 2.25 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/14Gk86
It is the first time since 2012 that we have gone this way and we went further along the trail than before...to the point where the trail descends over the granite to meet the trail to Burnside Lake. On the return we took the low way along the meadow. Total distance about 5.3 miles.
Six hikers made this loop (5.2 miles, 1200' elevation difference); the others started from Carson Pass and walked various trail combinations, but no others went to Round Top.
Lee, Chuck and Karen rambled the east side below Red Lake Peak about 3 1/2 miles, much of it off trail. Susan and Polly (and eventually Debbie) worked their way up the west side (Meiss Crest). Ulla took Bob and Ed to Showers Lake (nearly 10 miles there and back). The Jacksons hiked at Kirkwood and found Snow Plant and Steer's Head!
Susan, Polly and Ed walked Old Hwy 88 and then went to Markleeville for lunch.
Bob, Ulla and Karen hiked a loop at Kirkwood (4.5 mi)
7/27 - Bay Farm Island, Alameda
I didn't hike - dental issues
We began at the park across from the Natatorium and worked our way clockwise. Shirley's map indicated several possibilities for different ways to reach Buena Vista Ave. Unfortunately the map was outdated. There was plenty of opportunity to snoop at the gardens we passed in the 2.8 mile walk and it is always enjoyable to visit the "Wave Garden" for lunch.
A 4.25 mile hike from the Steam Train parking lot on Grizzly Peak Blvd to Sibley RP for lunch and back as far as the Tunnel Rd trailhead where we had left Shirley's car as a shuttle for drivers.
Cool, grey coastal fog! We walked out to the coast and back along Tennessee Valley (3.75 mi) with lunch at the beach. Not lots of flowers, but a few if you looked. Beginning to be much like fall with reddening blackberry leaves, drying bracken and rose hips.
A 3.78 mile walk in the redwoods on a counterclockwise loop out Stream Trail, up Mill and French and down Chown to the Bridle Tr. Lunch at the junction of the Bridle Tr and Stream Tr. Very dry and dusty, but still lovely, especially up along Mill and French Trails.
Cogswell Marsh at Hayward Regional Shoreline. The tide was out. Shorebirds were busy in the mudflats. There were even a few flowers. 2.6 miles.
We started from Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area and walked back Pine Canyon. The original plan was to go as far as the picnic tables at the junction of Stage Rd and Little Yosemite Trail but a group of four went on past the junction with Burma Rd before turning back; the rest of us walked nearly to Pine Pond before turning around. Distances were approximately 4.2 and 4.6 miles.
We started from the end of Crown Road (Kentfield, I think) and followed the Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Trail to the junction with the road of the same name, had lunch, then retraced our steps. Just over 3 miles.
9-28 No hike - lingering heat wave
Three different loops starting from the parking area at the end of Springhill Rd. in Lafayette: we all walked out Buckeye Ranch Tr; three turned off and made a short loop which avoided the steep sections. The rest of us trudged up to Lafayette Ridge (376 feet in just over 1/3 mile with some down & back up, too); two took off for more "up" and made the loop over to the Briones Ridge and Sunrise Trails, then returning down Buckeye Ranch Tr. The rest of us walked the undulating (sometimes steeply so) Lafayette Ridge Tr to Springhill Tr and back to the start. Mileage varied from 1.3 to 2.3 to at least 4.3. But the grade made that middle distance seem at least twice as far!
We hiked from the end of Hemme Ave, up Ringtail Cat Tr and Madrone Tr. We took the Clyde Wood Tr along the southwest rim of Rossmoor and descended to Terra Granada entrance 14 where Pat picked up the drivers and delivered them back to Danville. The connection to the Rossmoor trails makes a one-way hike possible. But the Veltman Tr descent is very steep and slippery. Shirley said once was enough for her. Distances were 4 (drivers) and 4.78 (everyone else) miles.
We walked from the San Miguel shopping center lot to San Miguel Park where we joined the Ygnacio Canal Trail, then walked the trail as far as Arbolado Park where Jeanne met us. Return was via the same route, but Jeanne ferried several drivers back to their cars and only 7 walked both ways. It is 2.9 miles from where we parked to the lunch spot.
10/26 - No hike
Lovely after our October rain with lots of green showing, plenty of toyon berries glowing red, burnished buckeye fruit, red of PO. Birds were plentiful, juncos and sparrows, flickers calling and greebs, ducks, gulls and white pelicans on the reservoir. Really a nice day to be out. 4.6 miles give or take as groups explored sections of the Lakeview Tr. Camera lost in trunk, so only map on Flickr
We took the Mitchell Canyon Rd as far as White Canyon, then Red Rd up to the junction with Olofson Ridge Rd. From the junction to the park boundary is .8 mile. Half the group went the entire way, the remainder stopped before the last climb. This was an out and back hike (5 or 5.25 miles). Wonderful grapevine color; lots of buckeyes.
We started from both the parking area at the dam and also the trailhead at Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd. We met at the benches on the point for an early lunch and all went back to the dam overlook parking lot. The"through" hikers walked 3.56 miles, the out and return group 2.8.We needed someone to help with fungus id as we saw lots and many were ones we hadn't seen before.
Starting from the Hall Dr. end we walked the ridge which separates Moraga Valley from Orinda and Rheem. We made a loop of just over a mile and a half, first along the ridge and then down the slope on a single track trail to meet Alice Lane before returning to the cars.
We walked up the Sulpher Creek Tr. and down to Borges Ranch for lunch. We returned via Costanoan Trail. 4 miles with lots of up and down, but no rain. The trick to getting to the Sulpher Creek Tr is to go thru the first gate and then follow the fence line by the private gate until you reach a ranch gate exiting onto the driveway. Turn left, downhill, and in about 200 yds the gate back into the open space is visible.
12/7 - no hike
12/14 - Holiday luncheon
Ron and Sylvia hosted us once again. I left the camera home!
12/21 - Carquinez Shoreline
I didn't hike
We walked the half mile along the ridge from Shadowhawk Way to the
labyrinth. The group split/splintered for the return with some heading
back to Cactus Ct on foot, some retracing steps to the cars, others
walking part way and waiting for pickup. At Jeanne's there was lots of good
food and chatter.
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