It was so foggy it was "raining" as 10 of us started the East Ridge, Prince, Stream trails loop at Redwood Regional Park. But it wasn't really cold and it turned into a very nice walk. There is plenty of evidence of the winter storms and still water in Redwood Creek. 3 mi.
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There were just 6 of us on this first day of summer. We walked a CCW loop: Bear Creek trail to the meadow opposite the archery range and then Seaborg Tr back to the parking lot. Not quite 2 miles, but lots and lots to look at and enjoy.
The original plan had been to walk CW, but after Lee checked the creek crossing and added her memories of the trail, we decided it would be better to reverse the direction. She was so right!! The creek which looked so easy to cross last week was not as easy in fact. But a few splashes and no slips and we were all scrambling up the bank on the far side. There was lots!! of poison oak and much of it really earned the specific of "diversilobum". Many of the leaves were deceptively huge and very smooth. There were extensive patches of the Rupertia and the Prosartes and pipevine, too, lots of honeysuckle in bloom and more and more and more to look at.
The fog and clouds were lifting as 11 of us started out the Abrigo Valley Trail. Things are drying fast, but there was still moving water in several spots and most vegetation still looks fresh. We went as far as where the trail begins the ascent to the Briones Crest Tr, then most of us turned around and headed back the way we came (just under 3 miles). We met Delia coming to join us and she went on to meet those who had gone further. We were all back to the picnic area shortly after 11 and got most set up by the time the 5 non hikers arrived. This year we brought our own lunches and many brought things to share. A very pleasant time!!
Well, I was not only partially right in assuming that the creek crossings should be easy and that there would be flowers.
There were more Calochortus and Clarkia and Triteleia than we had ever seen there and the Buckeye's were packed with blossoms. We did have wet stream crossings, tho. Everyone got their feet wet and I was glad Phred was busy taking pictures and didn't document me sitting down in the middle of one of the crossings.
All in all a wonderful walk. Just over 3 miles.
