7 of us walked a CW loop of just under 3 miles at Pt Pinole. The weather was perfect, clear, warm in the sun but cool in the shade with a nice breeze. There were lots of birds, some butterflies and enough flowers to satisfy us. The highlight was the newish native plant garden at the south end of the parking lot, tho many of the plants aren't actually "native here".
There were 11 of us today. It was a lovely day for hiking after a cold, gray Tuesday. We saw flowers we expected, didn't see others; and there were some we had not seen in bloom before. I had focus difficulties with many of the smaller flowers, so just because I didn't include a picture, doesn't mean we didn't see the plant.
The map says this is a 2 mile hike. Everyone felt it had to be longer than that.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/E3TFU57116
It's been close to 10 years since we walked Mitchell Canyon in the
spring; the lure of the fall color has had us taking that route in October/November. But today a big group reverted to April, and we were
rewarded with lots of flowers and more butterflies than we usually see.
Most of the group made it to the tables under the oaks before returning
to the cars. 3.8 miles according to google earth.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9p1116uSp4
There was a big group today - 15!!
There was plenty of water in the creeks and enough flowers to keep us busy looking. There were butterflies and birds, too.
This is a short loop, only 1.5 mile but it feels longer; there is so much to see and plenty of up and down.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/t8E7K9r1G9
People asked what was mined here - In 1863-4 L.W. Hastings discovered quicksilver (mercury) on the northeast side of North Peak and Perkins Canyon; it was mined until the 1950's (https://www.mdia.org/history-of-mount-diablo).
Perkins Canyon is named for Solomon D. Perkins (l822- ?), a native of Missouri, who purchased the property in 1859 and farmed in the Morgan Territory area. He didn't build the dams, tho. They were built in 1905 by E.A. Howard a SF lumberman and Contra Costa Co. land investor.
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
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
