10/31 - Briones

There was a big group (15 + Oscar and Mojo) today. We took Old Briones Rd up to the Briones Crest Tr, down to Valley Tr and returned. The group separated into two for our early lunch stop...some in the shade with a northerly view on Briones Peak, the rest in the sun overlooking Walnut Creek with Diablo in full view. It is very dry, but it was a lovely fall day and we all enjoyed the walk which ranged from 4.6 to 4.9 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/hs9H31

10/24 - Mt Diablo

9 of us explored the south side of Mt Diablo. We started from Blue Oak Picnic Area and took Green Ranch Road to the old Green Ranch home site for lunch then returned to the cars via the Oak Knoll Trail. This was at least plan "C" as plan "A" was foiled by no parking signs and plan "B" was not really workable. We poured over the map and settled on Green Ranch Road which turned out to be perfect.

Only 2.6 miles, but lots to see and enjoy, especially the spectacular displays of colorful grape vines.

Apologies if names aren't current. I had to use my old print copy of Jepson as there were internet service problems and I couldn't reach CalFlora or Jepson eFlora.

The pictures are a bit different today as I found the batteries were dead in my camera as we started out and had to use my phone camera. As this is a fairly new one, I wasn't sure what the results would be...lots of multiple exposures, several videos and a few other oddities, but enough usable ones to give you an idea of what a beautiful day we had on "our" mountain.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/62U4s3

10/10 - Las Trampas

13 hikers and Oscar made a 3.5 mile loop from the end of Camille Ave in Alamo up Madrone Tr in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness and down Ringtailed Cat Tr to the Hemme Av trailhead, then surface streets and the Iron Horse Tr back to the cars. It was a long "up" followed by a steep "down". But it was a beautiful fall day and we were glad to be on the trail.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/L35J61

 An interesting coincidence...we hiked this route exactly 5 years ago on 10-9-2013 (pictures of that hike at http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7dM9PV/)

10/03 - Huckleberry Preserve

There was only a small group (6) today. For the first time in three years we made the Huckleberry loop starting from the Pinehurst Gate. It is a short hike, about 2.7 miles, but feels longer due to the elevation changes. This time we went around the loop clockwise which seemed easier. Early lunch at the Manzanita barren. The hike ended on an up note...look for the surprise at the end of the pictures.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/NgC9DX

09/26 No Hike

Heat forecast, so we had a day off.