end of 2022

12/14 was the Christmas Luncheon at the McDougall's.

12/21 Phred and Elain led a hike Mt Wanda and Almond Ranch

12/28 uncertain weather and holiday exhaustion so no hike

12/7 - Carquinez Regional Shoreline

 

We walked from west to east on the paved George Miller trail along the cliff above the Carquinez Strait. this was the first time since Nov. 2014 that we began the walk from the Port Costa staging area. It was quite brisk (43 on the car thermometer) but good for walking, and a good choice after our rainy days. 6 people, 3 dogs; 3.7 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/YM5wg559AN

In planning the hike I came across this wonderful bit of local history (the hikers have already had the link, non-hikers might enjoy it, too). The Carquinez Scenic Drive (the basis of our hike) was the route of US 40 in the early 1900s:

https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/11/the-original-alignment-of-us-route-40.html

Catching up... 11/16, 11/23 and 11/30

 11/30 - Tilden

On the day before the forecast is for rain (at last) 9 of us braved a chilly morning (43 when we started hiking) and made the 3 mile loop from Inspiration Pt, out Meadow Tr to Wildcat Creek, and back via Curran Tr. It was a good walk and it was nice to have Polly and Bob back walking.

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

11/23 - Mullholland Ridge

There were just 5 of us on a bright November morning. We walked out the old road as far as the gate leading to the EBMUD tank on the western ridge, then looped around the knoll and took the short up-hill trail back to the road near the upper tanks. Just over 1.5 miles.

Lots to be thankful for as we approach the holiday...friends, lovely places to walk, that we have survived the trials of the last few years and so much more!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/y4dFr3oEb1

11/16 Fernandez Ranch

Six of us walked at Fernandez Ranch on a perfect day for hiking; cool in the shade, but warm in the sun. We went out Windmill Trail; up that nasty hill to the junction with Woodrat and Franklin Ridge trails, up again on Franklin Ridge and then returned on Woodland Tr, coming down by the windmill. There are patches of green along the edge of the trail and where the cows have grazed heavily. The ferns look refreshed from last week's rain. Lots of birds! 3.6 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/T3D69Cf054

11/09 - Albany Waterfront Tr

 

I'm so glad I planned a walk today. It was a brilliant "after the storm" sort of day; not too warm, tho, especially when the wind picked up near the end. We parked south of the beach we see on Albany Bulb hikes and walked toward Berkeley. In one area we saw many interesting plants. It looked as tho someone had planted all sorts of things which just might make it in that spot; Elaine and Delia kept muttering "Native Here" referring to the nursery.  Mileage was between 3 and 4 miles as some made a loop thru the restoration area near the Berkeley Marina.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7Urb06B8SA

10/26 - Pine Canyon

 

Five of us wandered out from the Castle Rock rec area thru Pine Canyon on a lovely fall day...crisp to start, never more than pleasantly warm. We got to the Mt Diablo gate a little after 10 so saw no need to turn around there. That was a good thing as all the "color" on the walk was on the other side of the gate. Almost 3.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/RYS1YomhU0

10/19 - from Valle Vista

 

reflection in the creek

Five of us walked from the Valle Vista Staging area on Kings Canyon Tr. We walked for an hour and turned around as it was getting quite warm (hot) unless you were in the shade. The water is quite low in the reservoir and everything is showing the signs of drought. Three miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/wn402Nq784

10/12 - Dotson Marsh at Pt Pinole

 

Another week with just four of us walking. It was a gray day, cool and good for walking. 3.5 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/SzKi76MauQ

10/05 - Mitchell Canyon

 

A beautiful day to be out and moving. There were just four of us walking in the wonderful quiet of Mitchell Canyon today. No tarantulas but plenty of birds (flickers, jays, a humming bird); no clematis seed heads, but color on some of the grapes, lots of red PO, and we found the vinegar weed :-) 3.8 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/uHn16307G1

09/28 - Marin Art and Garden Center

 

We were lucky to have a private visit to the Mt. Tamalpais Florilegium exhibition of paintings and drawings at the Marin Art and Garden Center. Lee was our guide to the exhibition of art work of the flora of Mt. Tamalpais created by members of the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists (NCalSBA).

After plenty of time to view the nearly 90 paintings and drawings (and wishing we had both more free money and more empty wall space) we had time to wander thru the garden.  Nine of us stayed for lunch and further socializing.

It was well worth the trip to Marin.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/sY152q59K1

9/21 - Sorry

 I 'm so out of practice that I've totally forgotten to update the bolg.

Here goes, working backward, since I started hiking again.

9/21 - South Shore, Briones Reservoir

Six of us walked the Bear Creek trail from the trailhead near Happy Valley Rd to the dam. It was a gray day which had started with sprinkles, but lovely for walking. It was definitely fall like (first full day of autumn is tomorrow) with reds of poison oak and rusty gold of bay along with multiple shades of brown from grasses and other leaves. The quarter to third of an inch of rain this week was enough to rinse away much of the dust, but not to relieve the dryness. 3.5 mi

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1a4380ZCQw

9/14 - Huckleberry

There were just five of us today, but we had a very enjoyable visit to Huckleberry Preserve. Things are dry and dusty, but there were still several "water features" making music. It was cool enough for vests and long sleeves to start as the fog was still present; quite a change from last week's 100+ degree temperatures. Delia brought watermelon as a post-hike treat!!! Not quite 2 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/913d823W88

9/7 No hike. Temperatures over 100

8/31 - North Berkeley

John and Delia Taylor led the group of 6 around their north Berkeley neighborhood to look at the rhyolite outcrops - some prominent, some integrated into fences, and around homes, also gardens, houses, grand oak trees and views. It was a perfect day for walking in Berkeley, pleasantly warm instead of the beginnings of the heat wave on the east side of the hills.

Much of John's information is based, at least in part, on the book Berkeley Rocks, Building with Nature. Pictures by Jonathan Chester and text by Dave Weinstein. Berkeley: 10 Speed Press, 2007.

Our route started at the Taylor's house on Catalina, took us by the Church on the corner of Colusa where Delia and John have volunteered creating mostly native plantings, north on Colusa to Vincente to its end at Cerrito Creek canyon, back down to 1000 Oak Blvd to Stone Face Park, then below the park on Yosemite Rd to Contra Costa Ave, to the intersection with Solano, down Solano to a "secret" passage thru to Station Pl which ends right at the Taylor's house. A bit over 2.3 miles.

We also enjoyed the Taylor's garden where there were plenty of natives to enjoy; the Madia elegans are spectacular!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/314w4CP3AD

8-24 - Sibley

For the first time in two months I walked with the group. I had a misadventure with a collapsing stool which sidelined me for nearly 6 weeks and then there was a heat wave. It was great to be back on the trail with the group even tho everything is terribly dry.

We started from the main Skyline entrance and followed the fire road up the hill, bearing left at the split for the EBMUD water tank. Once out to the Volcanic Tr we wandered west and then took the trail up hill and east along the ridge rejoining the official trails at the overlook for the big labyrinth. Then we rejoined the Roundtop Loop Tr to return on the shaded south side. 9 of us; under 2.5 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9yN9K509fC

Filling in the blanks

There have been no posts since late June as I have not been hiking. I had a mishap with a collapsing step stool on 6/24. Went to the ER. Xrays negative for a fracture. Treatment limited to ICE, Ice and more ice, advil and rest.  For the first week I simply could not put any pressure on it without heavy duty pain. Bit by bit that subsided and by two weeks after the event things started to improve on a daily basis. 

Of course that meant no visit to Caples in addition to no local walks.

The hikes continued with Susan and Geoff, Phred and Elaine and Bob Neumann stepping up to lead.

06/29/2022 no hike         Caples week

07/06/2022 Briones          from Alhambra Valley Rd ranger station up Toyon Tr  (Jacksons led)

07/13/2022 Coyote Hills Susan and Geoff led

07/20/2022 WCOS         Bob Neumann led

07/07/2022 Alameda Robt Crown St Beach (Susan and Geoff led)

08/03/2022 Oakland         Around Lake Merritt (Susan and Geoff led)

08/10/2022 Crockett Hills Phred and Elaine led

08/17/2022 no hike         heat and air quality

The 8/17 cancellation was a downer as it was the first time I felt I could walk with the group. It will be a full 2 months by the time next week rolls around. At least the long range forecast looks favorable.

6/22 - Redwood

Yesterday hit triple digits and today was going to be barely cooler, so 5 of us took only a short walk in the shade of Redwood Regional Park.

We took Stream Trail to the bridge crossing and then picked up the Bridle Trail. That is closed after the junction with Chown so we went back to Stream and walked as far as the junction with Fern before heading back. About 2.5 miles.

We started by 9 and were back to the cars about 10:15. The thermometer on mine (parked in the shade) already registered 82!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/cHQk2h

6/15 - Chabot

 

There was just a small group today; 7 of us. We met at the Bort Meadow staging area on Redwood Rd and walked a CW loop out Grass Valley Tr to the stone bridge and back Brandon Tr. The forecast was for hot by afternoon, but with the amount of shade on the return we were OK. The variety of plants along the west side Brandon trail is wonderful and a bit surprising. Just over 3 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/W68y84

06/08 - Pine Canyon

The forecast was for heat, so we wanted an easy walk with some shade. This hike from the end of Castle Rock Rd to the picnic benches just before the gated entry to Mt Diablo State Park filled the bill. It is exceedingly dry. We were glad of the dappled shade and occasional breeze as the car thermometer said 83 when we got back about 11:30. 9 of  us enjoyed the hike anyway. About 2.7 miles

As to the question about who or what Ithuriel was (think the common name of Triteleia laxa): Ithurial was an angel in Milton's Paradise Lost. With the touch of his spear, the true form of a body was revealed (Satan in the form of a toad in the book).

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/qR4Gx1

05/25 - Albany Bulb

 

After 90° + weather yesterday and a forecast of only slightly cooler inland today, we headed Bay Side for a short walk at Albany Bulb. Six of us enjoyed cool breezes, imaginative art, an interesting bit of restoration planting and celebrating Lee's birthday. About 1 3/4 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/43LUw0

05/11 - Ring Mountain

 

Phred reminded me that we hadn't been to Ring Mountain in quite a while (last time was 2018), so we set out to remedy that shortcoming!  After several blustery cool days the air was clear and the views expansive. We started from Westward Dr and walked up to the petroglyph rock, then over to the east bluff; we retraced our steps to the Loop Trail and returned that way. The drought is very evident here and lots of the trails were as hard as concrete. Many plants were stunted even if they tried to flower. We were late for some and a bit early for others, but all agreed it was a lovely day. About 2.7 miles tho the up, and especially the down, made it feel longer.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/b972Ek

05/04 - Point Pinole

It was forecast to be very warm inland today, so we headed Bay side to catch some cooler breezes. We walked CCW from the Atlas Rd entrance parking lot out to the pier and then back, mostly through the eucalyptus "forest". There is a new paved path down to Bay level to the east of the fishing pier; nice to explore since the tide was out.

There were not many flowers (no sign of the Calochortus luteus), but good walking and good company. About 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Rfq1kC

 

A very small group (7) was rewarded with perfect weather and an excellent flower display.

We expect lots of Triteleia laxa , but today there were thousands! We have usually seen the Mt Diablo Fairy Lantern along Hetherrington Tr. Today there were so may (100's) that we almost quit noticing them. And then there were the brilliant Wind  Poppies, the Mt Diablo Jewel flower, the masses of Leptosiphon (Linanthus), the Cream Sacs, etc., etc. etc.

Thank you to Shirley who introduced us to this loop!!

Just under 3.7 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1Ezj10

04/20 - Skyline Gardens

 

It has been almost a year since we visited Skyline Gardens. There is always so much to look at in this botanically rich area. We walked down from the Steam Train parking and, at the end ,shuttled drivers back up. It is a bit more than 2.5 miles; the distance from the Fish Ranch Rd crossing to the parking area is just over a mile.

I apologize for the odd colors in some of the images. I was having camera issues (turns out the memory card was locked), so used my phone for a good deal of the walk and somehow managed to touch something that turned on color enhancement. Without my old version of Photoshop I was unable to adjust the color once I got the images onto the computer.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/R930fx

04/13 - Vaca Creek to Almond Ranch

This was a repeat of a walk Elaine led last May. The Vaca Creek trail at Stonegate was the first of the properties protected by the (then) Martinez Regional Land Trust. Almond Ranch on the ridge is one of the more recent John Muir Land Trust (current name) acquisitions. It was good to connect the two. One of the few other people we met was a mountain biker who said she loved being able to ride clear from Martinez into Briones.

We had a good sized group today...13 hikers and 3 dogs. We started from the Briones-Pine Tree Trail parking lot on Alhambra Valley Rd and followed Vaca Creek Tr to Hal Olson Tr and up to the ridge which is part of Almond Ranch. Marvelous views, beautiful clouds and even a few flowers. 4 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/F1m81F

04/06 - Perkins Canyon

 

It was a small group today, just 7 of us. We made a CCW loop, first up the hill and then across and down to Perkins Tr. We took the single track cut off which Elaine, Polly and I explored last year. There were cookies at the rest stop by the lower dam to celebrate Ed Peters' 82nd birthday. It was a short hike, about 1.5 miles, but just right for today. Car thermometers said 76 when we got back, thank goodness there was a breeze.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1Nc57X

03/30 - Fernandez Ranch

 

There were only 7 of us on this hike as allergies, appointments and other personal issues took their toll. We hiked the reverse of our usual route, going out Windmill Tr to the top of the steep hill and then following Woodrat and Whipsnake trails across the long southern portion of the ridge and down to meet Black Phoebe trail for the last level portion. It is still quite green, but the ground is cracking in many places. There were lots of downed trees, too. Ranunculus and owl's clover were the most abundant flowers. Just under 3.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/t86pD7

03/23 - Redwood

A nice group (12 hikers and 4 dogs) today on what had been forecast to be extra warm. Instead it started foggy and cool. But it turned into a perfect day for walking and we saw flowers we rarely/never see. Trillium ovatum was the flower of the day!! Under 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/R3ko28

03/16 - Mt Diablo (Green Ranch)

 

 

 

This was the first hike on Mt Diablo this year, and the earliest in the year we have done the Green Ranch hike. As usual we started from the Oak Knoll picnic area, walked out the Green Ranch fire road, and after a stop for snacks at the old house site, returned via the Oak Knoll single track. It is a hike of under 3 miles but everyone on the walk will claim it felt much longer!

Plenty of green, but the south facing slopes are drying fast. Flowers are all mixed up as to bloom time and many/most which are blooming are quite small. It seems likely that that is a result of our continuing  drought. At lower elevations, along the drive up Northgate Rd, the lupine were amazing, but by the time we were above 2000', they were scattered at best. It was the same with the poppies.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/j29mL8

 

03/09 - Shell Ridge

 

It was a gorgeous spring day as 7 of us walked a clock-wise lollipop route around Fossil Hill, SE along the Briones-Mt Diablo Trail and back along Indian Creek (already dry). There was time for individual exploration of the glorious bloom in the Fossil Hill Native Plant Restoration area. 3 miles
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/857uMs

From a Feb 18th visit to the restoration area:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0ja7DA

03/02 - Lime Ridge

 

As far as I know, this was the first time we had done this route and tho the up seemed to go on forever and the down was really down, it was a good walk. We walked CCW up Ohlone, Paraiso and Manzanita Trails to the spot at the top of the ridge where 6 or 7 trails come together; then down Manzanita and Ohlone for the return. There were some interesting flowers (Pickeringia, a Eucrypta, fruit on the Marah, lots of fiddlenecks and Zygadene...) and lovely views. Just over 3 miles (3.15) tho the 970' + elevation gain/loss made it feel much longer.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/6K33A0

2/23 - Rockville Hills

 

There were only 5 of us today, with 3 dogs. The morning started out with heavy frost (31 in Orinda) so we were all bundled in multiple layers, regular California wimps. But it was nice for walking and warmed to the mid 50s by the time we finished. There was water in the ponds and most of the grass was still green. Plenty of flowers, too. We saw the scarlet fritillary (tho not as easy to photograph as in prior years), butter 'n' eggs, a single sun cup, the dirty behind the ears violets and lots and lots of blue dicks, popcorn flower, fiddle necks and buttercups.It was a lovely day!!

Our CCW loop included a stop for snacks at the picnic table by the big pond and a detour around the north end of the pond before heading down the valley to the smaller pond. Just under 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/4cEdUk

02/16 - Briones

 

Susan and Geoff led a group of 16 plus 3 dogs on a great hike on the NE side of Briones. We met at the Alhambra Creek staging area, carpooled to top of Briones Rd, and hiked a CCW route back to the cars. Some of the trails were familiar, but there were great sections of single track which none of the rest of us had hiked. The short spur leading to lots of hound's tongue and milkmaids was a real treat. A great day!! 3.6 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/k4Zq4s

02/09 - Black Diamond Mines

 

Lee led twelve of us and 4 dogs on today's hike which started from the Somersville Rd entrance on a day more like April than February.

The first stretch was up the long incline of the Stewartsville Trail to the viewpoint overlooking the townsite. At that point Ron and Sylvia turned around. The next segment was on an unmapped trail which more or less parallels the north side of the Ridge Tr. This is one to remember!! At the junction of the Ridge Tr and The Chaparral Loop Tr, Joan, Ulla and Polly headed back down to the cars. The trail Lee had hiked in the past was fenced off and signed against entry so the rest of us took the western extension of the Chaparral Loop down to the bridge in Manhattan Canyon. There Nick and Jeanne headed down while the rest of us went back up the canyon to the gate on Black Diamond Tr. After a brief snack we headed down and picked up Manhattan Canyon Tr again for the final return to the cars. Even with all the stops for plants and pictures (I took over 125) we were back to Lamorinda by 2.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7btr9p

02/02 - Crockett Hills

 

It was good to be out on such a lovely day. We were almost too late for the Dirca, but there were plenty of Ribes blooming and blossoms beginning on the Oso berry.  It was much too windy to venture thru the tunnel and out onto the open hillsides to the east of Cummings Skyway. Even in the canyon there were times when we had to grab hats. Under 2.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0VV2h0

01/26 - UC Botanical Garden

 

Today was our (usually) annual visit to the exhibit of the NorCal Society of Botanical Artists' exhibit at the UC Botanical Garden. This year we met at the garden rather than walking down Strawberry Canyon as the way we have come in the past is closed for tree removal.

There were 13 of us including Lee who gave an explanatory talk about the methods and materials used in the drawings.

After viewing the exhibit, folks formed small groups and wandered off to explore their favorite parts of the garden. It was a beautiful day and good to have Shirley, Charlotte and Jeanne able to join us.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/r9uz1D

01/12/2022 Redwood Regional Park

               

A small group today; only five people and two dogs. We managed the muddy spots with no tumbles, found the ladybugs waking to the sun on Stream Tr. just east of the Prince Tr. junction, and were glad to hear the the music of the stream as we made our way thru the deep shadows of the Redwoods. 3 miles.

This was Phred's actual birthday and altho his heel kept him from hiking, he and Elaine joined us for cookies at the end of the hike.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/UUrR7H

For a Bay Nature article on the East Bay lady bugs, see
https://baynature.org/article/beetlemania-together-now/

01-05-2022 - Lafayette/Moraga Trail

 

13 of us and three dogs enjoyed a short morning walk on this first Wednesday of 2022. We started from the parking lot on St Mary's Rd before Rheem Blvd and most walked as far as Lucille Lane. All very green with plenty of water. The fall was fuller than it has been in a long time. Just under 3 miles. I have a video clip, but unfortunately it is sideways and I can't seem to rotate it.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/44kn2t