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.

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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

8/26 - South Shore Briones Reservoir

 

There were 10 of us for a short, out and back, walk on what was forecast to be a hot day. We started from the Bear Creek trailhead. There were hints of fall in the leaves, grasses and berries. There were goats which looked like sheep from a distance (possibly angoras), bluebirds, hawks and jays. The morning was warm but pleasant and we were glad we were back to the cars before 11:30 as it was getting hot. 2+ miles

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08/12 - Miller/Knox

 

When we planned yesterday's walk the forecast was for hot inland. But it was another miscalculation by the weather mavens. Not an issue for the walk tho.  It was a very pleasant Bayside walk. We started at the south parking lot for Miller/Knox and walked CCW around the lagoon and out to the old ferry terminal. Plenty of birds and nice views, only fennel in bloom. The surprise was that the remnants of the old ferry pier have been totally removed west of the fishing access. Under 2 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/uSKcL597n2

07/29 - Sibley

 

After missing two weeks (heat and then family responsibilities on my part) nine of us were back on the trail today.  It started out foggy, but cleared rapidly as we made a CW loop around Round Top and a visit to the labyrinths starting at the Skyline entrance to Sibley. We were glad of the shade on the south side return trail as it was getting quite warm. Close to 2.25 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/h7G13MRWg1 

07/08 - Tilden

 

It was a morning so wet from fog that there were puddles and parts of the trail were quite slippery. We started from the upper parking lot near the steam train and walked out Seaview Tr to Lupine Tr and then down to Volmer Peak Tr. Lupine trail was challenging to say the least. But the area is botanically rich and we just took our time. The only problem came when we got toward the end. Vollmer Peak Tr should have led us back past the EBRPD fire station, but we missed the turn and ended up down on South Park Drive. Close to 2.5 miles, tho everyone's activity tracker said more like 3.

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Caples Week 06/28-07/2

Here are the pictures from Caples Week 2026.

It was little chilly (that's putting it mildly) especially in the evenings and early morning, but great hiking weather. We had a wonderful time with friends and flowers.

Around the Lake

Arrivals were quite staggered. Chuck, Lee and Robin went up on Friday the 26th. Karen and Donita, Linda J, Susan and Becki arrived around 4 on the 28th; Linda V arrived at dinner time. Jennifer and Wayne and Sally arrived on the 29th, and Leslie joined us for the Wednesday and Thursday hikes. The moon was full on the 29th and those in the lodge had great views of it rising over Round Top.

06/29/2026 Charity Valley

There was lots to see on our first hike even though the onions were finished and there were few blossoms on the mule's ears and balsam root. We spotted lots of peony plants, but none with fresh blooms. The calochortus were more plentiful than we have ever seen. Distance approximately 3.25 miles for most.

06/30/2026 Old Highway 88 from Red Lake

It doesn’t matter how many times we walk this trail there is always lots to see and appreciate. Chuck and Lee had walked this route before the rest of us arrived, so stayed at Caples. Jennifer, Wayne and Sally chose easy walks around the lake and campground as it was their first day at altitude, so that left seven of us. Susan and Linda V walked on to the pass (Becki picked them up there) rather than making it an out and back and Robin returned in Karen's car with Linda J and Donita. Then there was a short visit to Kirkwood to see the Snow Plant and the red penstemon that Lee had discovered. Under 2 miles.

07/01/2026 from Schneiders Camp

The climb up to the ridge is always slow for many of us but there was lots to engage our attention. Lee and Chuck turned around before the up-hill zig-zags. We had lunch at the rocks on the ridge – it was really windy! Some did additional exploration before returning. Again, mileage is approximate and altitude has to be considered (the ridge is 9100'); about 2.5 miles to the lunch spot and back with more for the group which wandered on the ridge.

This was our night to eat out at the resort restaurant so we all had time to shower and relax.

07/02/2026 Frog, Woods, Winnemucca, etc.

One group started from the pass parking lot and walked to Frog, around the lake, then continued to Lake Winnemucca. The others started at Woods Lake and walked up the trail to Winnemucca. Everyone went down to Woods and the folks who started at the pass got shuttled back up. That's the simplified version! 
It was a day full of flowers and marvelous clouds. Mileage was all over the place from 2 to almost 5 miles.

So that's the story. Enjoy the pictures!!