2/22 - No Hike

Northern California's wild winter continues. 

I'm "chicken". Cold and sunny, sure; cloudy and mild, fine. But all this talk by forecasters of high winds, cold temperatures and possible rain was just not appealing at all.

The original plan had been to visit Rockville Hills and I'm hoping that the weather next week (3/1) will allow us to do that comfortably.

2/15 - Black Diamond Mines

 

9 of us braved a chilly spring day with a biting wind to look for our favorite flowers at Black Diamond. Not much luck; things which had been in full bloom a week earlier in Feb 2022 were barely in bud. It took a good deal of mind work to identify some of the leaves and sharp eyes to spot plants we always look for.

Once again we followed Lee's favorite trail, a single track which leaves the Ridge Tr just past the gate indicating the end of equestrian access. It rejoins the Ridge Tr about .1 mile to the east of the intersection with the eastern leg of the Chapparal Loop Tr. We continued to the west and returned to the cars via the western leg of the Chapparal Loop (downhill from the bridge at Manhattan Cyn). About 2.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/3M1R695186

2/8 - Mt Diablo "Manzanita Row"

 It was a glorious early spring day! 9 of us walked from Curry Point, out Knobcone Point Rd. Half made it to Balancing Rock, the others stopped before the long uphill section. The timing was good: the manzanitas were in full bloom and we even saw the Pedicularis and Cardamine (Dentaria). The grass is getting green and it was altogether lovely. About 3.8 miles

The park people have been doing a good deal of cutting, we surmised it was a fire prevention measure. There were stacks of dead material along the trail and many plants marked "do not cut" with tape There were some major slides on both Southgate and Northgate Rd, reducing the road to one lane in places. It will be a big project to get them fixed.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/hi829h1s7n

02/01 - Crockett Hills

 

There were 7 of us and two dogs for the Edwards Creek/Wood Rat/Crocker Ranch CW loop. It was cold, blustery and beautiful. In places the trail was muddy and slippery, in others perfectly dry.

The Dirca in the usual spot was spectacular with more blooms than any of us remember seeing. Lots of new green growing things. 2.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/k1N0808N61