01/08 - Redwood to Huckleberry
For our first walk of 2025, eight
of us took a route we've not done since 2021, walking from the Skyline
gate to Redwood RP, along the Huckleberry path to Huckleberry Regional
Preserve. We had our snacks at the picnic tables there, then continued a
CW circuit along lower Huckleberry Path, then the Skyline Tr and so
back to the cars. 3.5 miles
It was quite chilly to start, especially in the shade or when a swirl of wind came through. The trail wasn't muddy and the Dirca, Oso Berry and white flowered Ribes were all in bloom. A wonderful hike. 2.3-2.6 miles depending on return route.
For the first time since the end of January 2020 we walked down the canyon and then back up to the Botanical Garden for the current art exhibit in the "Plants Illustrated" series. There were 14 to start and three more joined us for the exhibit. After lunch/snacks on the deck we squeezed into 3 cars to shuttle back to the top. A lovely day. 4.4 miles.
It was a great day for hiking, not too warm, but not cold either. The timing was good for manzanita bloom, but a bit early for everything else. In addition to the plants we saw bluebirds and a kestrel. It was 2 3/4 miles that felt longer with the elevation changes.
2/5 - no hike (rain)
This was a mostly grey, calm before the storm, day with occasional burst of sunshine and nippy temperatures. Alhambra Hills only opened to the public on the first of February.
It encompasses much of the ridge between Reliez Valley Rd and Alhambra Ave. Once up on the ridge the views are incredible in all directions!
Mileage is not certain probably between 2.75 and 3 miles. Plenty of up and down gave us a good workout in any case. There were 15 humans plus Murphy, the dog.
It encompasses much of the ridge between Reliez Valley Rd and Alhambra Ave. Once up on the ridge the views are incredible in all directions!
Mileage is not certain probably between 2.75 and 3 miles. Plenty of up and down gave us a good workout in any case. There were 15 humans plus Murphy, the dog.
Most of us met at Pine Lane and walked along the EBMUD trail, scurried across Mt Diablo Blvd and trudged up the hill to the parking lot. We then walked a counter clockwise loop around the reservoir. Of course the mist wasn't serious until we reached the far end, when it made no difference which way we returned. It was never really rain, but we still got plenty damp. 11 hikers and Sunny. The full route was about 4 miles.
It was a perfect day to for our first visit to Mt Diablo in 2025...bright sky, mild temperature, green grass...absolutely wonderful. The only downside was that the manzanitas were through blooming, with only a few flowers remaining here and there. The majority walked to Balancing Rock, a few went on to the gate, some turned around earlier (so 3-4 miles, depending on the individual).
The weather forecast was so uncertain and the sky so gray that we stayed close to "home" today. We started from the Sutherland Dr entrance, walked east and then down the steep section to the pond, back up to Briones Rd, then east again and south to the junction with Indian Creek Trail which we took back to Fossil Hill. There was a good sized group (15 + 2 dogs). 2.5 miles
03/12 no hike, rain
There was a very large group today: 21 humans and 5 dogs!! We walked SW from Larkey Park to Acalanes Ridge and then circled the ridge on single track trails before rejoining the trail we had walked earlier. Fiddlenecks were the flower of the day, but there were lots of other blooms. It was a 3.4 mile workout with lots of up (and down).
We walked a clockwise circle on a gray and windy day. We were too late for the red fritillary, altho there were faded remnants of bloom so we know they are still growing in the usual spot. 13 hikers and 3 dogs; under 3 miles.
CW from the Bort Meadows staging area on Redwood Rd., out Grass Valley Rd to the stone bridge and back Brandon Tr. We watched birds (quail, hawks, jays, wrentits, towhees and more) and butterflies as well as botanizing. Just over 3 miles.
We walked a clockwise loop from the Montecito entrance: out Paradise Valley Tr, down Lime ridge Tr to Blue Oak Tr and back Ohlone Tr. Less than 3.5 miles
Some folks were moving faster than others and went ahead to find the labyrinth. They didn't go far enough and declared to the rest of us that there was "nothing to see, folks". Checking at home I found that the labyrinth is a bit further (about 220 yards) on Blue Oak Tr.
Some folks were moving faster than others and went ahead to find the labyrinth. They didn't go far enough and declared to the rest of us that there was "nothing to see, folks". Checking at home I found that the labyrinth is a bit further (about 220 yards) on Blue Oak Tr.
It was beautiful day for hiking and Sunol is a wonderful place to be out on the trail. Blue sky and green everywhere with lots of flowers, birds and other wildlife, too. The route (a clockwise circle up Hayfield Road and down Indian Joe Creek) was just under 3.5 miles and it took us well over 4 hours, but there was a lunch stop!
It was a bright, cool day with plenty to slow our progress over the 2.5 miles. We started from the Westward Drive entrance and walked up the Phyllis Ellman Tr then made a circle of Petroglyph Rock, went up the steep trail to Turtle Rock then took the fire road out past the water tank. We had snacks in the spot where there is a great view of the Bay, chosen because it was out of the wind. Return was almost the same, but we took the small side trail which branches off from Phyllis Ellman and rejoins that trail at the spot where the small water course comes very close to the trail and we often stop to look at the Mimulus (Erythranthe).
There was a last minute change of plans as we had originally planned to go up Hetherrington and then loop over to Bruce Lee and return via Clayton Oaks. The consensus in the small (9) group was that they would prefer the Back Cyn/Tickwood loop. That turned out to be an excellent decision as the flowers were plentiful and the shade very welcome on an 80 degree day.
Under 3 miles.
Under 3 miles.
Jeanne's birthday isn't until the 16th, but this was the week a group of us joined her at High Hand Nursery Cafe in Loomis to celebrate. The time together was absolutely worth the drive.
There were lots of birds and quite a few flowers, too. It had been several years since we done this route in this direction and it was a reminder of what a good walk this is. It is still green in shaded areas and on north facing slopes, but the grasses are drying quickly and on west and south slopes are turning gold. Just under 3 miles.
We made a clockwise loop from the Atlas Rd entrance out to the coast and north to the pier, then back "owl alley". Lots of Brodiaea elegans and Calochortus
luteus. There were 11 of us on the 2.75+/- mile walk.
05/28 - Pacheco Marsh
I didn't walk - no pictures.
It was a perfect morning for walking!! There were just 9 of us today doing the easy loop at Redwood RP. Starting from the Fish Ladder we made a clockwise loop out the Bridle Tr as far as the Fern Tr junction with Stream Tr (picnic tables and Digitalis) then back Stream Tr. There was a lot to look at so we were not very speedy. About 3 miles.
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