2/7 - Crocket Hills

There were just 7 of us hiking on this lovely early spring day. We started from the staging area on Crockett Blvd and went up the Edwards Creek Tr to Wood Rat Tr (Dirca and Oso Berry). We went thru the tunnel under Cummings Skyway and walked SE as far as the picnic tables above Big Valley Trail. It was too windy there to enjoy our lunch break, so we back tracked to the pond and ate there, more or less out of the wind. We returned to the tunnel via Soaring Eagle Tr and descended to the parking lot via Crockett Ranch Tr. (Ribes) 5.15 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Jd680G

1/31 - Morgan Territory

On a day which started with a Super (at perigee), Blue (2nd full moon in the month), Blood (total eclipse) moon, 14 of us hiked a long loop in Morgan Territory Preserve. We all started out Condor, Volvon, and Blue Oak trails. Then 4 went further out Volvon toward Bob Walker Ridge while the rest of us turned back on Volvon to Prairie Falcon Trail. The big group had their lunch on the rocks at the edge of the canyon; the smaller group truned back and met us near the south end of Prairie Falcon. It was a glorious day with bright sky, warm sun and swarms of bees humming in the blooming manzanitas! 4 miles for the shorter loop; about 4.75-5 for the longer hike.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/x784J3

1/24 - Canal Trail

This was a short (3.5 mile) walk on the Contra Costa Canal Trail starting from Heather Farms. We all turned around by the Oak Grove crossing, tho several turned back sooner. Rain was forecast by midday and most trails were still muddy from earlier rains. There was an optional stop for coffee at Black Bear Diner on the return leg.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/iEL609

01/10 Moraga

13 of us walked Mullholland Ridge from west to east on a windy and eventually misty Wednesday. Jeanne joined us as we explored the Hacienda grounds and eventually made our way to the Starbucks in Rheem. A pleasant morning with friends; 2.5 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Xt896S

1/3 - McCosker Loop

Our first hike of 2018 was on the McCosker Loop Trail recently opened as an addition to Sibley RP. 10 of us made the hilly walk and got back to the cars just as the much anticipated rain began. It is a short hike (just over 2 miles) with plenty of altitude change to make it seem longer. It was a good outing for a cool day; there is little shade, so it isn't a good hike for summer. Nice views!

Eastport was the first station on the east side of the hills for the Sacramento-Northern run. The tunnel emerged just under the sharp hairpin turn on Pinehurst Rd (where the trail to Huckleberry starts).
Pictures of the Pinehurst section of the Sacramento Northern route: http://eastbayhillsproject.org/node/26

Shirley sent the entire blog entry on the McCosker Loop, but you might want to keep an eye on this site: https://lamorindahikes.com/ (or even subscribe via their e-mail link)

Todays's pictures: https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/4mtYxo
Pictures from May 2012: http://goo.gl/Nhc82

12/27 - Soup Day

We carpooled from Jeanne's house to the fire road off Saklan Indian which leads up to the labyrinth. Our return followed the ridge south to Shadowhawk Way then east on Grey Eagle back to Saklan Indian; 1.5 miles (+ the labyrinth). 

Back at Jeanne's we enjoyed nibbles, wine, soup and dessert along with lots of friendly conversation to close out another wonderful year of Wednesdays!
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0B0618

12/6 Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve

A dozen of us returned to Sobrante Ridge for the first time since Feb. 2014. It was a bright, breezy day and the 3 mile walk was just right.  http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/dQK1NX will show what it looked like on our last visit. 

The population on the knoll circled by Manzanita Loop is showing signs of a major infestation by the sudden oak death pathogen...very sad.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/76YJXq

After the walk folks with large vehicles drove to Benecia to help Susan move boxes of belongings to her new home in Rossmoor. The movers will be coming tomorrow, so she will soom be an East Bay resident again!