10/7: Mt. Diablo-Amphitheater
13 of us hiked a "lollipop" route from the red corral trailhead on Morgan Territory Rd to the Amphitheater and back via Crestview, Highland Ridge and Morgan Creek Rd. It was almost too warm, but the hike is an interesting one which we should repeat in the spring. The Indian grinding holes in the Amphitheater were everywhere. No wonder as there were huge oaks in the area. We were very surprised by the number of galls on the leaves of many of the live oaks; there were places where the broken bits on the ground looked almost like flower petals. Delia identified the galls as andricus crystallinus.
A side note: we talked to a horseman at the red corral as we began the hike and met him again at the intersection of the Amphitheater Tr and Old Finley Rd. Close to the end of our chat it was discovered that he is the husband of the acquaintance of Shirley's who had recommended this hike!
9/30: Garin/Dry Creek
13 of us walked from the main entrance to the park (end of Garin Rd) to the May St. entrance and back. About half way back the group split with 7 of us going up the steps to the ridge and then to the Ridge View Trail. The other six stuck to the valley, returning the way we had hiked earlier. The Valley group walked about 4 miles, the Ridge group about 4.25.
It was a gray day with off and on showers which left everything smelling good and refreshed all our spirits.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/70jYY8
