04/08 - Skyline Gardens

 

There were 10 of us today on the hike which was originally planned for last week, but cancelled by a late March storm. We walked from the parking area by the Steam Train (Grizzly Peak and Lomas Contadas) as far as the picnic table just before the trail descends toward Fish Ranch Rd.

It was a lovely day and altho many flowers were through blooming (e.g. the lupine was mostly showing seed) there was lots to see. Under 2.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/YpC5X980vQ

03/25 - Shell Ridge

 

There were eleven of us on the walk at Shell Ridge. We started from the end of Marshall Dr (Indian Valley Elementary School) and took Corral Spring Tr along the east side of the ridge, then made a CCW loop around Deer Hill and Deer Lake before returning the way we came.

After the hike we reconvened at Jennifer's; she has made over her garden the last few years and it is filled with natives along with mature fruit trees, favorite roses, etc.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/u0uNz3e21t

3/11 - Black Diamond Mines

 

There were 10 of us on a lovely day full of sunshine, new growth, and birds. Some favorite flowers were past their prime, but there was still lots to enjoy. We went CW, up Chaparral Loop to the bridge then Manhattan Canyon to the gate; down the fire road with a loop through the cemetery. Under 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/y09Ke134A4

3/04 - Fernandez Ranch

 

There was a big group today...a wonderful day for walking. This was the standard loop out Black Phoebe Trail, up Whipsnake across the ridge and down to the junction with Woodrat then out to Windmill and back to the cars. Only about 2.8 miles but a perfect walk.


https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7P655K2pyy 

02/25 - Pacheco Marsh

 

There was a big group (14) on a gray day after a rainy night and misty early morning.

The air was fresh and the marsh trails are well graded and drained so walking was good. LOTS of birds, some like the egrets and Canada Geese were easy to identify. "Merlin" heard marsh wrens, song sparrows, common yellowthroat and others. We definitely id'd two of the many raptors: an osprey and a northern harrier AKA marsh hawk. There was a pair of swans, too, according to folks with good binoculars. 2.8 mi

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2550CSjm2x

02/18 - Contra Costa Canal

 

Only four of us braved the break in the storms to get out and move. We walked from the parking lot by the dog park at Heather Farms along the Canal Trail as far as the 1st Ave crossing, then returned. That gave us a 3 mile walk with no rain!!

Our timing was good as the clouds filled in and within an hour after we were back to the cars it was wet again.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/q285368e09

February 04 and 11

 02/04 - From Redwood to Huckleberry and back

It was a great day for hiking, but smazy it the distance. We started from the Skyline entrance to Redwood RP and walked to Huckleberry. It really was beginning to look and feel like spring with seedlings and a few early flowers. The "out" route was along the higher path and we returned via the lower path. Everyone agreed it felt much longer than the map distance of 3.5 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/v9uwX5vFF8

 02/11 - No hike, rain at last!