11/4 - Pacheco Marsh

 

 A dozen of us walked a figure-eight around Pacheco Marsh on a sparkling day after a modest rain. There were lots of birds, from sparrow sized bush birds to several different soaring hawks and egrets in the marsh. Just under 2.7 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Z0kp2Y0529

10/28 - Mitchell Canyon

 

This was the traditional out and back walk through Mitchell Canyon. There was not as much color as we sometimes see, but it was a lovely day for a walk. The large group (13) split and reformed multiple times. Some went as far as the picnic tables under the big oak, others turned around at various points after the intersection with Red Rd. Distances ranged from about 2 to 3 3/4 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/jh6h17W147 

10/14 - Pine Canyon

 

Things started out oddly as the usual parking area was filled. So we circled back to the large gravel lot on the south side of the road. That added about 1/4 mile to each end of the hike. Eventually everyone arrived and 10 of us set off on a pleasant hike. We were glad to have Sylvia and Oscar for the first part of the walk.

Things are dry, but there isn't any fall color yet. The oaks are shedding acorns, but still have their leaves; the grape is still green. And it is too early for tarantulas.

 

After snacks at the tables by the gate into the State Park, most returned the way we came, Sally and Linda wanted a longer walk and Phred and Geoff took the alternate trail to the south of the baseball field; at least 3.4 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/FU031xuwW4

09/30 - West Ridge, Redwood Regional Park

 

This was a short out and back hike from the Skyline staging area along the West Ridge Tr on a VERY warm morning.

Thank goodness the trail has lots of intermittent shade. The original plan was to go as far as the Moon Gate entrance, but the combination of heat and dusty brush cutting led to a turn-around at the Tres Sendas Tr junction. About 2.25 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/08H686Gbo6

09/23 - Dotson Marsh, Pt. Pinole

 

The walk started in the fog and ended with blue skies. It was about 3.3 miles out and back from the Giant Hwy parking area to the point at the end of the Cordgrass Jetty Trail.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/c1pd3PGW1K

09/16 - Chabot RP

 

There were 9 of us on a day which was the complete opposite of the last few: gray clouds and a bite to the wind. But it was very good for walking.

We started at the Bort Meadows TH on Redwood Rd and made the elongated loop clockwise along Grass Valley Trail to the stone bridge then back Brandon Tr, about 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0Xj27Nh7d8

09/02 - Rancho Laguna to San Leandro Reservoir

 

We walked an out and back from Rancho Laguna Park on the EBMUD King's Canyon Loop Trail. It was a day full of dark clouds and a few drops of rain blown on the wind. Distance varied as not everyone of the 14 of us went as far as the bench. Maximum distance was just over 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/yubETp64W5