04/29 - Mitchell Canyon

 

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 

04/15 - Perkins Canyon

 

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.

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