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.
It was cool to start, but we were grateful for the cool breeze off the fog as we climbed up the hill. There was plenty to look at: masses of monkeyflower and ocean spray with smaller things hiding below. Nine of us plus Murphy; a bit over 3.75 miles.
6/15/2025 Arrival and getting settled
6/16/2025 Charity Valley
In spite of the early date and the elevation (roughly 7800’ per the USGS topo, tho phone apps registered higher) there was lots to see. The surprises were an increase in the number of peonies and masses of an uncertain species of Allium. Susan and Linda spent a good deal of time and think they finally id’d it. Distance approximately 3.25 miles
It doesn’t matter how many times we walk this section of trail there is always lots to see and appreciate. It was early for the iris, but perfect timing for the violets! We retraced our steps and followed the posts up the western ridge to the rocky area we call the “flower garden”. Wonderful views, breezes to repel mosquitos and moderate the temperature, enough flowers to satisfy us. A bit over 5 miles (hard to calculate when we wandered about so) and the lunch spot was at over 9100’.
The climb up to the ridge is always slow for many of us but there was lots to engage our attention. For lunch we went on north as far as the big log by the hemlocks with a view of Lake Tahoe. Again, mileage is approximate and altitude has to be considered; about 3 miles to the lunch spot and back with another half mile or more for the group which walked on toward Showers.
John and Delia had to leave for home, Jennifer took Becki who had missed the Monday hike to to Charity Valley. Chuck tweaked his back and didn’t hike.
The rest of us divided into two groups. One started at Woods Lake and walked up to Winnemucca and then on to the spot where the trail descends to Round Top Lake. The others took two cars to the pass parking lot and walked to Frog, around the lake, then made a short spur along the PCT to the base of Elephant’s Back before returning and continuing to Lake Winnemucca. The two groups met at Winnemucca. Several of the Frog group crossed the logs at the lake outlet and went hunting for the white heather (Cassiope mertensiana) and the Kalmia which Lee had seen. Again milage is approximate. For the Woods group a bit under 4 ½ miles; for the Frog group a bit over 6 ½ miles.
06/25 - No hike
07/02 - No hike (Summer party at the McDougall's)
There were 11 of us today on our first group hike in a month. We made the 3 mile loop from Inspiration Pt.; down Meadows Canyon Tr, along Wildcat Creek and up Curran Tr.
There was plenty to see and it was good to be together and back on the trails.
There were eleven of us today on a foggy, drippy visit to Sibley. The weather was more like February than July. We walked CCW from the Skyline staging area, around Roundtop. In all the times I have been to Sibley I've never ventured down to the large labyrinth at the far east end of the loop. So today we did that. And on the way back we took the Overlook trail across and down the hill back to the parking lot. Not much more than 2 miles.
In the past we have walked a CCW circle when starting from Whitecliff Way. This time we broke with tradition and walked clockwise. That was a very good choice. The hike started with fog and ended with bright sunshine, perfect for walking; this route was one which wouldn't have been at all enjoyable in "normal" July weather. Everything is dry and the grass is high. No flowers except for a patch of Madia and way too much star thistle! Just under 3 miles.
It was a cool cloudy morning as we
walked on the EBMUD King's Canyon Trail in Moraga. We
started from Rancho Laguna Park (first time since July
2017) and walked out to the main section of the San Leandro
Reservoir, retracing our route after a quick snack at the
conveniently place bench. Very quiet with an early fall feel. Eleven of us; just over 3 miles.
It was a drippy, gray morning, but it wasn't cold and the walk was worth it. We made a CW loop from the Skyline parking area, out the East Ridge Tr to Prince Tr, down to Stream Tr and back up to the parking lot. 3 miles.There is always a lot to look at at the "Bulb". This was a good choice on a day which was warm even along the Bay shore. I can't claim even two miles, tho some "devices" claim we walked that far.
Nine of us started from the park, kitty-corner from the Plunge, on East Richmond Ave and walked a curvy clockwise route up the hill, then counterclockwise to Keller Beach and along the waterfront of Miller/Knox Park. After a snack in the shade we returned thru the tunnel. This was a pleasant walk on what promised to be a hot day inland. We decided to turn around before walking clear out to Ferry Point, so the distance was about 3.4 miles
It was planned as a lolly-pop up to and around the lagoons starting from the parking at the Old Briones Rd trailhead. But instead we altered that and walked down Toyon Canon Trail, then up Pine Tree Trail, to return to the cars. The flower of the day was Holocarpha heermannii - Heermann's tarweed which filled the upper grassy area and spilled down into the canyons. It was a display for the ages! A dozen of us walked about 3.75 miles
A dozen of us took advantage of moderated temperatures and walked the mostly shady Buckeye Ranch Trail from the end of Springhill Rd in Lafayette. Only about 2 1/4 miles, but we felt that was just right.
It was an early fall-like day with lots of clouds and just the beginnings of autumn color here and there. We walked from the Castle Rock Recreation Area entrance to the gate into Mt Diablo State Park and back 3 miles.
09/17 - No hike, high temperatures forecast
It was cloudy day with a nice breeze and just a scatter of fat rain drops; quite a change from the upper 90's yesterday. We walked a CCW figure 8 at Pacheco Marsh which reopened last May after a major restoration project. There was lots to look at and we felt sorry for those who had other calls on their time. 2.5 miles
10/01 - No hike, wet
10/08 - Huckleberry (I didn't hike)
10/15 - No hike, rain
This was the usual hike in Mitchell Canyon: out as far as the table under the huge oak and then back. It was interesting that there were no berries that we could find on any of the Rhamnus ilicifolia (holly leaf redberry) or the Frangula californica (coffeeberry) but plenty of toyon berries. Just 8 of us on the 3.8 mile hike.
We walked the approximately 3 mile loop around the landfill at Wildcat Marsh. Most walked CW and took the upper trail on the north side. There were lots of birds (at least 20 species), but only a few flowers.
This was perfect for a rainy Wednesday. Our timing was good and there was no rain and even a few shafts of sunlight thru the clouds while we walked in the garden after viewing the Tom Killian exhibit.
11/12 - no hike
We took advantage of the paved surface and a break between storms to get out and moving. Getting to Inspiration Pt is longer with Wildcat Canyon Rd still closed for repairs and South Park Drive closed to protect the newts. There were only a few flowers, but lots of varied mushrooms. About 3.5 miles
For this short, day before Thanksgiving, hike we walked up Borges Ranch Rd, then NW on the Briones-Mt Diablo Rd to the junction with Ridge Top Tr. We took that single track further NW to meet Costanoan Tr by the bench where we have often stopped; then Costanoan back to the cars. By the map that was under 2 miles.
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