2/22 Iron Horse Trail

An even dozen of us (amazingly half men and half women!) took advantage of the first no-rain day in a week to walk along the Iron Horse Trail from Livorna Rd to Hap Magee Park in Danville. One way distance was 2.68 miles. Some walked further and the group split with some returning directly and others enjoying lunch at an Alamo cafe.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/M119r2

Hap Magee has a storied past. A barn façade at the park entrance commemorates the park’s former life as a ranch for longhorn steer. Before the cattle called it home, the site was a summer camp for San Francisco orphans, known as Camp Swain. 

http://danvillesanramon.com/square/2005/09/09/who-was-hap-magee

2/15 - Strawberry Canyon and UC Botanic Garden

We started from the parking area at the corner of Grizzly Peak and Centennial Way and walked down the canyon. In spite of all the rains, there were only a few really muddy spots. We saw lots of early spring flowers in the 4 1/4 miles to the Botanic Garden. After lunch, Lee gave us an introduction to the Nor Cal Society of Botanical Artists  exhibit (art representing seeds and seed vessels) and then we were on our own to enjoy it! We had about an hour to wander in the Garden as well. A dozen made the hike and we were joined at the Garden by Pat, Polly and Jeanne. Depending on how you wandered in the Garden, distance was about 5 miles for the day.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/8c8b10

2/1 - Crockett Hills

It was a very gray day with a nasty bite to the wind. But 9 of us took advantage of the "calm" before the storm to walk counter-clockwise along the Edwards Creek Trail - about 2.25 miles. We hoped to find Dirca, Oso berry and the white flowering current. Unfortunately trail crews had whacked indiscriminately and a good bit of the stand of Dirca we usually visit was cut down. We were probably a bit early for Oso Berry, but saw what might prove to be that plant beginning to push buds. The Ribes was blooming in the spots we have seen it previously. We were back to cars by 11;30, so took ourselves home to eat lunches where it was actually warm :-)

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/S0LsY0