Sibley 08/20

Shirley hadn't decided where we were going to hike today before we met at the pink wall. The choice was Sibley approaching from the Old Tunnel Road Staging area. The fog stuck around and the wind had a nasty bite, but the walk (just under 4 miles) was very enjoyable. We found picnic tables, mostly out of the wind. There were views which we don't normally see as we wound to the east side of Round Top and then north along the Volcanic trail.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/bGXMS7/

Huckleberry Preserve 08/13

It was a last minute decision to hike at Huckleberry when only four of us showed up at the pink wall. The original plan was to hike from the little train parking lot in Tilden to the Quarry picnic area and shuttle drivers back to the cars. With only four of us, that seemed unreasonable. Elaine suggested Huckleberry Preserve. That was a perfect suggestion. We had a great walk with lots to look at and perfect temperatures. We had one of the maps which included the identification of the markers on the trail which led us to the Dirca and identified several of the manzanitas.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/8c7gA1/

Briones Reservoir 08/06/2014

It was very warm and muggy, so we were grateful for the shade along the east shore of Briones Reservoir. Things are very dry and plants are confused. Among the reddening poison oak and the dry ferns and grasses we saw one glowing bush poppy bloom! We didn't go too far; about a mile along Bear Creek trail from the dam and then back. We took the fork in the trail which leads toward the dam and got close to the edge of the reservoir for an early lunch.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/71w8g5/

Lake Chabot 7/23

Tempted by the words "mostly level" a dozen of us walked the east shore of Lake Chabot. We were glad of the shade as it was quite warm and muggy. The plants growing along what was, in wetter months, lake were amazingly tall: teasels well over 6', pearly everlasting reaching 4', etc. We walked almost 5 miles, but were back shortly after lunch.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/v1532J/

Caples Lake 7/13-7/17/2014

In spite of Jeanne's absence it was a wonderful week. We had "interesting" weather with a lot of thunder and lightning. But the storms were well timed and only on Monday did anyone get wet on the trail and that was for a brief period only. As always there was lots of good food and plenty of wine for our evening socializing.

The one bad note (for me) was that once again I failed to pay close enough attention to the camera and a whole day's photo opportunities were lost; that was Wednesday as we went toward Meiss Meadow. My camera indicates a larger capacity for the memory card than it can actually record and I need to either change cards or download the pictures, but that message of 300+ remaining images fools me. So there are no Calochortus leichtlinii, bright pink Sidalcea, Astragalas, pond flowers or white iris; the field of brilliant scarlet gilia will have to be just a mental picture, too.

7/13
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Bz7SXw/
7/14
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/4838J0/
7/15
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/37L368/
7/16
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/zsb057/
7/17
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/w8u49v/

Can't wait til next July!!!

Tennessee Valley 07/09

Only seven of us on a very foggy, windy day; but it was a good 4 mile hike. We made the circle up Miwok Trail to the WNW joining the Coyote Ridge Tr and coming down Fox Tr. Late lunch at the picnic tables by the parking lot.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/g4tM77/

Redwood 07/02

Redwood Park is so close and seems so remote. It was the perfect place for today's walk. We started by the Fish Ladder and made a circle, getting the uphill part out of the way at the beginning. Neither Phred nor I took many photos, but there are some at:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9kD522/