11-26-2014 Springhill

Shirley made a very good choice for our short pre-Thanksgiving walk.Ten of us enjoyed a very pleasant ramble in Lafayette Parks and Recreation District property at the end of Springhill Rd. Distance about 2.25 miles, tho Phred and John went a bit further. We went out the south side of the valley, circled back and climbed a hill for a view, and then retraced part of the way before crossing the creek bed and returning the way we started. 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/AF2e4z/

11-12-2014 Carquinez

Sorry, no pictures. My batteries chose this morning to register empty.

It was a great hike for 13 of us along the newly re-opened George Miller Regional Trail (Carquinez Scenic Trail), starting at the Port Costa end and walking toward Martinez. Seven of us added a loop up the Franklin Ridge Trail. The others had lunch and then turned around. We all ended up back at the cars about together. Shorter hike was 4 miles; longer one almost 6 1/2.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/4W74Sr/ for a map,

11-5-2014 Tennessee Valley

There were 15 of us today. We split into two groups with nine of us making a loop UP Fox Trail and then down the Coast Trail to meet the trail to the beach. The other six stayed on the relatively flat valley trail. We walked back together after lunch and then celebrated Elaine's birthday with cookies and beverage at the parking lot picnic tables. Distance ranged from 3.66 to 5.3 miles +/-


https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2m7LP7/

10-20 Pt. Pinole

14 of us walked from the parking lot, along the shore of San Pablo Bay and returned across the grassy hill. Most walked about 4.75 miles, but there were various side-explorations so some went further. The best part was along the northeastern shore of the marsh after lunch.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0guvH4/

10/22 Mitchell Canyon

Grape vines everywhere! A wonderful display of California fall color. This was an absolutely perfect day for this hike: warm in the sun, but not too warm; clear air; beautiful colors; etc. etc. Just over 3.5 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/heFot4/

10/15 Lafayette Reservoir

Brief rain overnight left big clouds and fresh air behind. The four of us who started down on El Nido Ranch Rd walked 4 miles. Just a few pictures.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/e8627J/

10/8 Joaquin Miller

We hiked up Palo Seco creek. Our last visit was 9/5/2012. The deep shade was pleasant on another very warm day. After a visit to the exhibits at the ranger station we had an early lunch at Lookout Point and returned to the Palos Colorados trail via the Sinawik trail. Distance 2.85 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/21G634/ 

10/1 de Laveaga Trail

We walked DOWN the de Laveaga trail from the Steam Train parking lot to Camino Pablo in Orinda. Check the 2nd image for the elevation outline. Total distance (including the extra half mile to the Orinda Community Center park for lunch) was 3.68 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/dfkr45/

09/24 Redwood RP

We walked from the Skyline entrance along the West Ridge trail of Redwood Regional Park. The plan had been to lunch at the Redwood Bowl, but we reached that spot before even we were ready to eat. So we wandered on to Roberts Grove before returning to the dryer tables of the Bowl for lunch. The extra bit stretched the walk to 4.7 miles which felt longer as it was quite humid after last night's showers.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/g3n1bG/

09/17 San Rafael SF Bay Trail

Tom Stienstra wrote in last Sunday's SF Chronicle about a section of the SF Bay trail in San Rafael. Shirley saw it, Elaine saw it, I saw it. So today we explored it. Eight of us had a very nice walk. Not too many interesting plants, but a fair number of birds and the views were great.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/561PJX/

09/10 Garber Park

Shirley led us on a new walk today. We parked on Vicente Rd then rambled through the neighborhood (Alvarado Rd, Willow Walk, Eucalyptus Path, Slater Ln and Evergreen Ln) to reach Garber Park.  It is a 13-acre City of Oakland woodland park located behind the Claremont Hotel. The mile long Loop Trail took us from the 1920's era stone Fireplace Plaza through a forest of oaks, Bay, Big Leaf Maples and Buckeyes. We returned to the cars via Evergreen Lane and Path, Alvarado Place and Rd. Our lunch stop was in a quiet grove at the foot of Willow Walk. Total distance only 2 miles.

The upper part of the walk was part of the area consumed by the 1991 firestorm. The architecture was very different than in the areas which had not burned.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/955nb8/

09/03 Rimer Creek

A short morning walk today. We went from the Valle Vista staging area on Canyon Rd thru the old growth pines to the bridge. Then left on the Rimer Creek Trail and eventually up the hill to the Rocky Ridge Trail. Down to meet the King's Canyon Loop Trail and so back to the cars. Under 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/A174S2

8/27 Pt Richmond

A wonderful day! Shirley led us from the park in Pt Richmond, over the hill to Keller's Beach, out to Ferry Point, back to the lagoon for lunch and then through the tunnel to return to the cars. The best part of the day was having Jeanne back with us!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/817Q4M/

Sibley 08/20

Shirley hadn't decided where we were going to hike today before we met at the pink wall. The choice was Sibley approaching from the Old Tunnel Road Staging area. The fog stuck around and the wind had a nasty bite, but the walk (just under 4 miles) was very enjoyable. We found picnic tables, mostly out of the wind. There were views which we don't normally see as we wound to the east side of Round Top and then north along the Volcanic trail.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/bGXMS7/

Huckleberry Preserve 08/13

It was a last minute decision to hike at Huckleberry when only four of us showed up at the pink wall. The original plan was to hike from the little train parking lot in Tilden to the Quarry picnic area and shuttle drivers back to the cars. With only four of us, that seemed unreasonable. Elaine suggested Huckleberry Preserve. That was a perfect suggestion. We had a great walk with lots to look at and perfect temperatures. We had one of the maps which included the identification of the markers on the trail which led us to the Dirca and identified several of the manzanitas.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/8c7gA1/

Briones Reservoir 08/06/2014

It was very warm and muggy, so we were grateful for the shade along the east shore of Briones Reservoir. Things are very dry and plants are confused. Among the reddening poison oak and the dry ferns and grasses we saw one glowing bush poppy bloom! We didn't go too far; about a mile along Bear Creek trail from the dam and then back. We took the fork in the trail which leads toward the dam and got close to the edge of the reservoir for an early lunch.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/71w8g5/

Lake Chabot 7/23

Tempted by the words "mostly level" a dozen of us walked the east shore of Lake Chabot. We were glad of the shade as it was quite warm and muggy. The plants growing along what was, in wetter months, lake were amazingly tall: teasels well over 6', pearly everlasting reaching 4', etc. We walked almost 5 miles, but were back shortly after lunch.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/v1532J/

Caples Lake 7/13-7/17/2014

In spite of Jeanne's absence it was a wonderful week. We had "interesting" weather with a lot of thunder and lightning. But the storms were well timed and only on Monday did anyone get wet on the trail and that was for a brief period only. As always there was lots of good food and plenty of wine for our evening socializing.

The one bad note (for me) was that once again I failed to pay close enough attention to the camera and a whole day's photo opportunities were lost; that was Wednesday as we went toward Meiss Meadow. My camera indicates a larger capacity for the memory card than it can actually record and I need to either change cards or download the pictures, but that message of 300+ remaining images fools me. So there are no Calochortus leichtlinii, bright pink Sidalcea, Astragalas, pond flowers or white iris; the field of brilliant scarlet gilia will have to be just a mental picture, too.

7/13
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Bz7SXw/
7/14
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/4838J0/
7/15
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/37L368/
7/16
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/zsb057/
7/17
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/w8u49v/

Can't wait til next July!!!

Tennessee Valley 07/09

Only seven of us on a very foggy, windy day; but it was a good 4 mile hike. We made the circle up Miwok Trail to the WNW joining the Coyote Ridge Tr and coming down Fox Tr. Late lunch at the picnic tables by the parking lot.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/g4tM77/

Redwood 07/02

Redwood Park is so close and seems so remote. It was the perfect place for today's walk. We started by the Fish Ladder and made a circle, getting the uphill part out of the way at the beginning. Neither Phred nor I took many photos, but there are some at:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9kD522/

Lake Merritt 06/25

We had a nice walk around Lake Merritt, with a side trip to the lovely Bonsai Garden. We surveyed the re-landscaping that has taken place along the eastern shore and the completion of the construction along the outlet.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/qibn30/

Ring Mountain 6/11

Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve (Tiburon) was our destination today. Thirteen bipeds plus Meadow the lab made a 2.7 mile (approx) loop starting from the top of  Westward Drive. The wind was memorable! The Calochortus tiburonensis was through blooming, but we saw the Silene and lots of other blooms. For a plant checklist see:  http://www.marin.edu/cnps/Ring_Mountain.html

For pictures: https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/708u37/

Devil's Slide and Luncheon 6/4

It was cool and foggy as we walked the new Devil's Slide trail which used to be Hwy 1. More flowers than we expected. The walk was follwed by lunch in Half Moon Bay at Cameron's Pub. Lots of fish and chips and dark beer (the Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout was really good!).

We drank toasts to the memory of those Wednesday Walkers who have died this past year and to Shirley who has led us on so many great outings. Jeanne presented Shirley with a check which she will divide among some of the groups which support the trails and lands we so enjoy each week.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/nc9079/

Jeanne's birthday party and Mt Diablo 5/21

Not only did we enjoy Jeanne's marvelous birthday spread, we also got to see some of the amazing, once in a life time (hopefully), fire followers.

The Muir Picnic Area (on the left as you go UP the mountain, just below the Devil's Elbow trailhead) is an easy access point to view some of these rare flowers, especially the Whispering Bells and Golden Ear Drops. There are more bulbs blooming on the mountain than any of us can remember...the fairy lanterns are dense along the shaded stretch of the Moses Rock fire road; the Mariposa lilys are scattered in the grass just about everywhere.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/e4m7aG/

Mt Diablo - Perkins Canyon 5/7

What a great outing! We didn't hike very far, only about 2.5 miles, but what wonderful flowers! It has to be a good day when the Mt Diablo fairy lanterns are as common as Ranunculus usually are and we got tired of even commenting on them.

I'm so glad my batteries died last week...I only took 105 pictures, bet Phred took more :-)

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/287T8j/

Edgewood Park & Filoli

We survived the hottest day of the year and had a great time! The hikers split into two groups with Karoline leading a shorter, flatter walk along the Clarkia Trail (about 2 miles), while Lee took the rest of us up the Sylvan Loop Tr to the Serpentine Loop Trail (a bit over 3 miles).

After the hike we drove the short way to Filoli where we had lunch and enjoyed the botanical drawing exhibit. As always, Lee is very good at explaining the techniques that go in to the marvelous drawings/paintings.

Unfortunately my camera batteries died part way into the hike and I couldn't find the replacements I thought I had in my pack. So only a few pictures from me.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/jyg5X0/

Mt Wanda

Several of our group needed to be home early today, so we made a morning visit to Mt Wanda. Just 2.5 miles and we were home by noon. BUT...blue sky, green hills, birds and flowers made for a very nice outing.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/c694n1/

Mt Diablo with Heath Bartosh

We had a special hike on Mount Diablo, led by Heath Bartosh, Save Mount Diablo Board Member and Research Associate at the Jepson Herbaria at Cal Berkeley.  (Jeanne bid and won the hike at the auction last September at Moonlight on the Mountain). Lots of info regarding fire and how the various plants respond. We walked the North Peak trail from the road, around past Devil's Elbow nearly to Prospector's Gap. After returning to the cars we drove to the Muir picnic area for more views of the burned chaparral area and its regrowth.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/V157C0/

Hite's Cove 4-15

After hearing Phred and Elaine rave about the flowers on the Hite's Cove trail last month, Ulla and I determined to find a day and GO. Tuesday, 4-15, was the lucky day. What a marvelous place. We saw things that were not blooming for Phred and Elaine and some of what they saw was past by the time we went. Highly recommended!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/8F710T/

04-09-2014 Mt Diablo

It was a very warm day, but the scenery was worth it. We started from the end of Regency in Clayton and headed up Donner Canyon. The Hetherrington Trail took us along the creek and back up to the fire road where the group split. Most went over to Back Canyon via the Tickwood Trail. Four of us meant to take the short trail over Meridian Ridge into the upper end of Back Canyon. However we ended up on Middle Trail which ascends to Prospectors Gap. Long day.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2pR45M/

Nimitz Way

A cool day with a bright mix of sun and clouds after the last few days of welcome rain. Ursina Rutz was visiting from Montana and joined us on the walk. After the morning walk (4-4.6 miles depending on the individual), most of us convened at Caffe Teatro at the Orinda Library for coffee/tea and more talk.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/6x0p5M/

Lynch Canyon

A marvelous outing thanks to Elaine! about 5 miles, tho it didn't seem that far. This is an amazing property which is owned by the Solano Land Trust. Lots of birds, very quiet, wonderful views!

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/25942U/

Las Trampas Ridge

Shirley was back and  led us on a hike out of Bollinger Canyon to the green slopes of Las Trampas Peak There were only a few flowers, but lots of birds and amazing views from Mt Davidson and Sutro Tower to Mt. Tam, Mt. St. Helena, the Delta and east to Mt Diablo and south to the peaks southwest of Livermore.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7h1J9q

WC Open Space

With rain forecast we did the short walk in the Shell Ridge area of the Walnut Creek Open Space which was rained out last week. The start was at the end of Sutherland Drive off Walnut Blvd; the loop is just under 3 miles and mostly fairly level (not flat, just undulating); it wasn't even too muddy.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Ev4275/

Briones

What a lovely day! The hike stretched to 4.25 miles since we went up to see the Alhambra Creek Watershed sign and then on to the Sidicich Lagoons. We had lunch in a marvelous glade of oaks and buckeyes just before Alhambra Creek. The section from the intersection of Alhambra Creek Trail and Spengler Trail was special with green grass under the well spaced oaks which framed the view.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/fB5196/

Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve

The Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve is a portion of the old Cutter Ranch. We entered off Morningside Dr. so didn't have that much elevation left to gain as we ascended to the ridge. Great views if it is clear; lovely oaks and a stand of the Alameda manzanita. A special place.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/dQK1NX/

Strawberry Canyon

It was nice in the sun, but otherwise chilly as we walked down Strawberry Canyon from Grizzly Peak Rd to the Botanic Garden. Phred was the one who spotted the Dirca.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/q4r745/

Black Diamond Regional Preserve

Our first "pre-storm" hike of the year. Windy, with wonderful clouds. Shirley was right about the views.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/W26sF4/

Castle Rocks Trail, Mt. Diablo SP

Dry, dry, dry...very little new growth. But a beautiful 3.2 mile walk starting from where Burma Road crosses Northgate Rd and ending at the Park boundary (Falcon Rd), with a detour along Castle Rocks trail.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/n9U4GQ/

Big Break Regional Shoreline

The name of the area comes from the "big break" which destroyed a levee protecting agricultural land in a 1928 storm. The walk (1.6 miles to the turn around by the Ironhorse Sanitary District ponds; a total of about 3.8 miles) was not as interesting as it might have been as the trail skirts the marsh and follows the edge of a residential development. However the Delta Discovery area was fascinating as well as informative.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/D4H22j/