12/08 - Sobrante Ridge

 

10 of us walked from the Coach Dr entrance up to the ridge and across to the Manzanita Hill Loop and back. It was an extremely foggy morning, very wet and drippy. But it was an enjoyable walk and one we hadn't done for 4 years. There is lots of death in the manzanita grove and evidence of new infections, but also lots blooming and seemingly surviving. About 2.75 miles.

"One of the most significant threats to pallid manzanita is infection by a soil-borne pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi, which causes root and crown rot in many woody species resulting in plant mortality within months of showing signs of infection." 
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/Endangered/Arctostaphylos-pallida

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0SMoMb for today's pictures

12/01 - Sibley

 

It was a very small group today, just 6 of us when Lynn walked up from Wilder to join us for a while. The day was pleasant, but very hazy so there were no long views. The main item of interest was the labyrinths which are scattered on the east side. We have often seen two of them, but Lynn pointed out two small ones on a ledge above the one in the deep quarry and said she had seen another off the main trail. Our route took us via an un-official trail north of the overlook to the southern end of Volcanic trail and another labyrinth I had never visited. Then we meandered further north to the overlook for the "heart" labyrinth. Lynn pointed out the trail which connects the Wilder development with the park.  About 2.4 miles for the five who started from the Skyline entrance; about 3.3 for Lynn.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/3yW3r7