11/26/2025

 

 

There were 8 of us (6 regulars and 2 guests) on this short hike. We walked up Borges Ranch Rd, then NW on the Briones-Mt Diablo Rd to the junction with Ridge Top Tr. We took that single track further NW to meet Costanoan Tr by the bench where we have often stopped; then Costanoan back to the cars. By the map that was under 2 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/j61xHN0CvB 

 

11/19 - Nimitz Way from Inspiration Pt

 

There were a dozen of us today as we took advantage of the paved surface and a break between storms to get out and moving. Getting to Inspiration Pt is longer with Wildcat Canyon Rd still closed for repairs and South Park Drive closed to protect the newts. There were only a few flowers, but lots of varied mushrooms. Altho there was blue sky when we started, it was uniformly gray by the time we returned to the cars. About 3.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/5J79188JoW

11/05 - UC Botanic Garden

This was perfect for a rainy Wednesday. Our timing was good and there was no rain and even a few shafts of sunlight thru the clouds while we walked in the garden after viewing the Tom Killian exhibit. 

Finally we all met by the gift shop and shared cookies in celebration of Elaine's birthday.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/p87y15Unqc

10/29 - Wildcat Marsh

 

Ten of us walked the approximately 3 mile loop around the landfill at Wildcat Marsh. Most walked CW and took the upper trail on the north side for the return. There were lots of birds, but only a few flowers. 

Merlin sound id'd black-necked stilt, western gull, long-billed dowitcher, marbled godwit, black-bellied plover, american avocet, willet, semipalmated plover and greater yellowlegs. There were also white pelicans, several little sandpiper "peeps" and possible other gull species. We also saw white crowned sparrows, redwing blackbirds, ravens, turkeys, a canada goose, turkey vultures, house finches and crows!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1pA614sEi6

10/22 - Mitchell Canyon

 

This was the usual hike in Mitchell Canyon: out as far as the table under the huge oak and then back. It was a beautiful autumn day, crisp, especially when the wind blew, but sunny and filled with color and things both animal and vegetable to look at. Just 8 of us on the 3.8 mile hike.

It was interesting that there were no berries that we could find on any of the Rhamnus ilicifolia (holly leaf redberry) or the Frangula californica (coffeeberry) but plenty of toyon berries.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Fm02pNkqGK

10/15 - No hike (rain)

10/08 - Huckleberry (I didn't hike)

10/01 - No hike (wet)

9/24 - Pacheco Marsh

 

There were only five of us today on a pleasant, cloudy day with a nice breeze and just a scatter of fat rain drops. Quite a change from the upper 90's we had yesterday. We walked a CCW figure 8 at Pacheco Marsh which reopened last May after a major restoration project. There was lots to look at and we felt sorry for those who had other calls on their time. 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Cy146tY1Eu 

09/10 - Pine Canyon

 

It was an early fall-like day with lots of clouds and just the beginnings of autumn color here and there. We walked from the Castle Rock Recreation Area entrance to the gate into Mt Diablo State Park and back 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2i116rHV52