04/08 - Skyline Gardens

 

There were 10 of us today on the hike which was originally planned for last week, but cancelled by a late March storm. We walked from the parking area by the Steam Train (Grizzly Peak and Lomas Contadas) as far as the picnic table just before the trail descends toward Fish Ranch Rd.

It was a lovely day and altho many flowers were through blooming (e.g. the lupine was mostly showing seed) there was lots to see. Under 2.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/YpC5X980vQ

03/25 - Shell Ridge

 

There were eleven of us on the walk at Shell Ridge. We started from the end of Marshall Dr (Indian Valley Elementary School) and took Corral Spring Tr along the east side of the ridge, then made a CCW loop around Deer Hill and Deer Lake before returning the way we came.

After the hike we reconvened at Jennifer's; she has made over her garden the last few years and it is filled with natives along with mature fruit trees, favorite roses, etc.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/u0uNz3e21t

3/11 - Black Diamond Mines

 

There were 10 of us on a lovely day full of sunshine, new growth, and birds. Some favorite flowers were past their prime, but there was still lots to enjoy. We went CW, up Chaparral Loop to the bridge then Manhattan Canyon to the gate; down the fire road with a loop through the cemetery. Under 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/y09Ke134A4

3/04 - Fernandez Ranch

 

There was a big group today...a wonderful day for walking. This was the standard loop out Black Phoebe Trail, up Whipsnake across the ridge and down to the junction with Woodrat then out to Windmill and back to the cars. Only about 2.8 miles but a perfect walk.


https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7P655K2pyy 

02/25 - Pacheco Marsh

 

There was a big group (14) on a gray day after a rainy night and misty early morning.

The air was fresh and the marsh trails are well graded and drained so walking was good. LOTS of birds, some like the egrets and Canada Geese were easy to identify. "Merlin" heard marsh wrens, song sparrows, common yellowthroat and others. We definitely id'd two of the many raptors: an osprey and a northern harrier AKA marsh hawk. There was a pair of swans, too, according to folks with good binoculars. 2.8 mi

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2550CSjm2x

02/18 - Contra Costa Canal

 

Only four of us braved the break in the storms to get out and move. We walked from the parking lot by the dog park at Heather Farms along the Canal Trail as far as the 1st Ave crossing, then returned. That gave us a 3 mile walk with no rain!!

Our timing was good as the clouds filled in and within an hour after we were back to the cars it was wet again.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/q285368e09

February 04 and 11

 02/04 - From Redwood to Huckleberry and back

It was a great day for hiking, but smazy it the distance. We started from the Skyline entrance to Redwood RP and walked to Huckleberry. It really was beginning to look and feel like spring with seedlings and a few early flowers. The "out" route was along the higher path and we returned via the lower path. Everyone agreed it felt much longer than the map distance of 3.5 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/v9uwX5vFF8

 02/11 - No hike, rain at last!

01/28 - Redwood RP

 

We changed plans as we walked, so out East Ridge Tr, but down Phillips, not Prince, then a bit of back-track on Stream, then west on Stream to return to the cars. We didn't find the masses of lady bugs we were looking for, but it was a good day for hiking, not really muddy in spite of the overnight showers. 10 of us; under 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/g2NZ06v4ys

 

 

01/21 - Crockett Hills

 

Fifteen of us walked the Edwards/Wood Rat loop on a drippy, foggy morning. We saw blooming Dirca, Osoberry and Ribes as well as a fair number of fungi. The trail washout from last year was repaired, but there were spots where the trail was slick with mud from all the valley fog; when the wind blew, there was "rain" from the trees. We all enjoyed the hike and the good company.  2.5+ miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/17K7395x31

01/14 - Mt Wanda

 We started the month with Soup Day at Ulla's on the 7th. Today was our first hike of 2026!

In the past we have walked out the fire road and taken the Nature Trail on the way back, but today we turned off at the Nature Trail and came back all the way on the fire road. It was crisp and on the edge of fog, but a good day to be out moving. Very green, no flowers yet, but a fair number of birds. 2.4 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/GuB794X1rB

Dec 2025

 Obviously, I'm waaay behind.

Here's a brief re-cap of the month.

There were no hikes on either 12/24 or 12/31; not only were there holidays to consider, it was also very rainy.

12/17 was the holiday party at the McDougall's

So we only had two hikes 12/3 and 12/10.

We started the month with a good walk at Sobrante Preserve. Eleven of us enjoyed a rare sunny day as we walked the usual route out to and around the manzanita knoll and back with a stop at the tables on the ridge for a snack and time to enjoy the view. Even tho we were earlier than when we walked here last year, the Arctostaphylos pallida were nearly through blossoming. Under 2 3/4 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0FDzg3NEx8

In contrast to the sunny day on the 3rd, the hike on the 10th was wrapped in fog. It was nearly clear but quite chilly at the parking lot, but the further we walked the thicker and lower the fog became. Four hikers turned around at the junction with Santos Tr; the rest of us walked another half mile or so before giving up and heading back as well. Of course it was bright back at the parking area. Even tho it was damp and cold it was still a good 3.5+ mile hike.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/rp31h350Xe