10/14 - Pine Canyon

 

Things started out oddly as the usual parking area was filled. So we circled back to the large gravel lot on the south side of the road. That added about 1/4 mile to each end of the hike. Eventually everyone arrived and 10 of us set off on a pleasant hike. We were glad to have Sylvia and Oscar for the first part of the walk.

Things are dry, but there isn't any fall color yet. The oaks are shedding acorns, but still have their leaves; the grape is still green. And it is too early for tarantulas.

 

After snacks at the tables by the gate into the State Park, most returned the way we came, Sally and Linda wanted a longer walk and Phred and Geoff took the alternate trail to the south of the baseball field; at least 3.4 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/FU031xuwW4

09/30 - West Ridge, Redwood Regional Park

 

This was a short out and back hike from the Skyline staging area along the West Ridge Tr on a VERY warm morning.

Thank goodness the trail has lots of intermittent shade. The original plan was to go as far as the Moon Gate entrance, but the combination of heat and dusty brush cutting led to a turn-around at the Tres Sendas Tr junction. About 2.25 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/08H686Gbo6

09/23 - Dotson Marsh, Pt. Pinole

 

The walk started in the fog and ended with blue skies. It was about 3.3 miles out and back from the Giant Hwy parking area to the point at the end of the Cordgrass Jetty Trail.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/c1pd3PGW1K

09/16 - Chabot RP

 

There were 9 of us on a day which was the complete opposite of the last few: gray clouds and a bite to the wind. But it was very good for walking.

We started at the Bort Meadows TH on Redwood Rd and made the elongated loop clockwise along Grass Valley Trail to the stone bridge then back Brandon Tr, about 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0Xj27Nh7d8

09/02 - Rancho Laguna to San Leandro Reservoir

 

We walked an out and back from Rancho Laguna Park on the EBMUD King's Canyon Loop Trail. It was a day full of dark clouds and a few drops of rain blown on the wind. Distance varied as not everyone of the 14 of us went as far as the bench. Maximum distance was just over 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/yubETp64W5

8/26 - South Shore Briones Reservoir

 

There were 10 of us for a short, out and back, walk on what was forecast to be a hot day. We started from the Bear Creek trailhead. There were hints of fall in the leaves, grasses and berries. There were goats which looked like sheep from a distance (possibly angoras), bluebirds, hawks and jays. The morning was warm but pleasant and we were glad we were back to the cars before 11:30 as it was getting hot. 2+ miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/221905o33A

08/12 - Miller/Knox

 

When we planned yesterday's walk the forecast was for hot inland. But it was another miscalculation by the weather mavens. Not an issue for the walk tho.  It was a very pleasant Bayside walk. We started at the south parking lot for Miller/Knox and walked CCW around the lagoon and out to the old ferry terminal. Plenty of birds and nice views, only fennel in bloom. The surprise was that the remnants of the old ferry pier have been totally removed west of the fishing access. Under 2 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/uSKcL597n2

07/29 - Sibley

 

After missing two weeks (heat and then family responsibilities on my part) nine of us were back on the trail today.  It started out foggy, but cleared rapidly as we made a CW loop around Round Top and a visit to the labyrinths starting at the Skyline entrance to Sibley. We were glad of the shade on the south side return trail as it was getting quite warm. Close to 2.25 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/h7G13MRWg1 

07/08 - Tilden

 

It was a morning so wet from fog that there were puddles and parts of the trail were quite slippery. We started from the upper parking lot near the steam train and walked out Seaview Tr to Lupine Tr and then down to Volmer Peak Tr. Lupine trail was challenging to say the least. But the area is botanically rich and we just took our time. The only problem came when we got toward the end. Vollmer Peak Tr should have led us back past the EBRPD fire station, but we missed the turn and ended up down on South Park Drive. Close to 2.5 miles, tho everyone's activity tracker said more like 3.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/ZF251629k1

Caples Week 06/28-07/2

Here are the pictures from Caples Week 2026.

It was little chilly (that's putting it mildly) especially in the evenings and early morning, but great hiking weather. We had a wonderful time with friends and flowers.

Around the Lake

Arrivals were quite staggered. Chuck, Lee and Robin went up on Friday the 26th. Karen and Donita, Linda J, Susan and Becki arrived around 4 on the 28th; Linda V arrived at dinner time. Jennifer and Wayne and Sally arrived on the 29th, and Leslie joined us for the Wednesday and Thursday hikes. The moon was full on the 29th and those in the lodge had great views of it rising over Round Top.

06/29/2026 Charity Valley

There was lots to see on our first hike even though the onions were finished and there were few blossoms on the mule's ears and balsam root. We spotted lots of peony plants, but none with fresh blooms. The calochortus were more plentiful than we have ever seen. Distance approximately 3.25 miles for most.

06/30/2026 Old Highway 88 from Red Lake

It doesn’t matter how many times we walk this trail there is always lots to see and appreciate. Chuck and Lee had walked this route before the rest of us arrived, so stayed at Caples. Jennifer, Wayne and Sally chose easy walks around the lake and campground as it was their first day at altitude, so that left seven of us. Susan and Linda V walked on to the pass (Becki picked them up there) rather than making it an out and back and Robin returned in Karen's car with Linda J and Donita. Then there was a short visit to Kirkwood to see the Snow Plant and the red penstemon that Lee had discovered. Under 2 miles.

07/01/2026 from Schneiders Camp

The climb up to the ridge is always slow for many of us but there was lots to engage our attention. Lee and Chuck turned around before the up-hill zig-zags. We had lunch at the rocks on the ridge – it was really windy! Some did additional exploration before returning. Again, mileage is approximate and altitude has to be considered (the ridge is 9100'); about 2.5 miles to the lunch spot and back with more for the group which wandered on the ridge.

This was our night to eat out at the resort restaurant so we all had time to shower and relax.

07/02/2026 Frog, Woods, Winnemucca, etc.

One group started from the pass parking lot and walked to Frog, around the lake, then continued to Lake Winnemucca. The others started at Woods Lake and walked up the trail to Winnemucca. Everyone went down to Woods and the folks who started at the pass got shuttled back up. That's the simplified version! 
It was a day full of flowers and marvelous clouds. Mileage was all over the place from 2 to almost 5 miles.

So that's the story. Enjoy the pictures!!

6/24 - Redwood RP

 

13 of us started from the old fish ladder along Redwood Creek and took Bridle Tr, then Chown down to Stream Tr. We went as far as the tables where the foxgloves grow, then returned via Stream Tr. 3 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/S4fPYwb39K

6/17/2026 - Alder Creek/McCosker

 

Today a dozen of us revisited the Alder Creek area of Sibley RP walking a CW loop. It was a foggy morning to start; very good hiking weather. Tho it is just under 2.5 miles, it felt longer with all the long up hill sections. 

 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/164622835d 

 

Catching up

 06/10 - Lafayette Community Park and Linda's Garden

There were 15 of us on a day which got almost too warm for comfort as the morning progressed.

Jennifer told us lots of the history of the Community Center and the park as we walked a CW loop of under 1 mile, mostly under the shade of oaks.

Linda lives relatively near by and invited us to visit her garden after the walk and share some light refreshments. What a garden! And she continues to develop it, adding natives to replace portions of the more traditional plantings. We also enjoyed a tour of some of the marvelous art in the house - works by her husband, her mother and father and Linda herself.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/u710wvg071

06/03 - Tilden Botanic Garden

I couldn't be there, so no pictures

05/27 - Pine Canyon

There were 9 of us today. Nearly perfect walking weather. Lots of birds, sufficient flowers and nearly dry creek crossings. The clouds were magnificent. about 3 miles

Only one of the stream crossings had any water and it was shallow and slow moving.

The Salvia spathacea is still there and using binoculars, we could see multiple plants

The oak which has supported the monster grape vine for so many years has fallen and appears at least partially dead; there is weak new growth at the base of the trunk tho.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/986E3M7878

05/20 - Springhill

There were just 6 of us today. We enjoyed the mostly shady walk from the Springhill TH to Briones. Lots of birdsong, a fair number of butterflies and a nice patch of Red Ribbon Clarkia. 1.75 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/t40N0pA7cq

05/13 - Pt Pinole

 

7 of us walked a CW loop of just under 3 miles at Pt Pinole. The weather was perfect, clear, warm in the sun but cool in the shade with a nice breeze. There were lots of birds, some butterflies and enough flowers to satisfy us. The highlight was the newish native plant garden at the south end of the parking lot, tho many of the plants aren't actually "native here".

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/cR6568jW72

05/06 - Devil's Elbow

 

There were 11 of us today. It was a lovely day for hiking after a cold, gray Tuesday. We saw flowers we expected, didn't see others; and there were some we had not seen in bloom before. I had focus difficulties with many of the smaller flowers, so just because I didn't include a picture, doesn't mean we didn't see the plant.

The map says this is a 2 mile hike. Everyone felt it had to be longer than that.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/E3TFU57116

04/29 - Mitchell Canyon

 

It's been close to 10 years since we walked Mitchell Canyon in the spring; the lure of the fall color has had us taking that route in October/November. But today a big group reverted to April, and we were rewarded with lots of flowers and more butterflies than we usually see. Most of the group made it to the tables under the oaks before returning to the cars. 3.8 miles according to google earth.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9p1116uSp4 

04/15 - Perkins Canyon

 

There was a big group today - 15!!

There was plenty of water in the creeks and enough flowers to keep us busy looking. There were butterflies and birds, too.

This is a short loop, only 1.5 mile but it feels longer; there is so much to see and plenty of up and down.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/t8E7K9r1G9

People asked what was mined here - In 1863-4 L.W. Hastings discovered quicksilver (mercury) on the northeast side of North Peak and Perkins Canyon; it was mined until the 1950's (https://www.mdia.org/history-of-mount-diablo).  

Perkins Canyon is named for Solomon D. Perkins (l822- ?), a native of Missouri, who purchased the property in 1859 and farmed in the Morgan Territory area. He didn't build the dams, tho. They were built in 1905 by E.A. Howard a SF lumberman and Contra Costa Co. land investor.

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