05/01 - Devil's Elbow

There were 10 of us today on the short but flower filled hike along the North Peak Tr to Devil's Elbow and beyond to our favorite lunch spot just before Prospector's Gap. A very lovely day with a cooling breeze and plenty of sunshine.

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Last Week 4/24

It was an extraordinarily warm day to be out on the trail, but 9 of us headed to Mt Diablo anyway. We stayed together until  the Hetherrington Trail turns uphill to rejoin Donner Cyn Rd. At that point Susan and Ulla took of for a long loop over Meridian Ridge and down Back Cyn while the rest of us explored the slopes on the east side of Donner Cyn via Donner Tr, Wasserman Tr, Bruce Lee Springs Tr and Clayton Oaks Rd. The large group walked about 3.75 miles and the two adventurous ones about 4.4. All agreed it was a marvelous day!

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04/17 - Almond Ranch

14 Wednesday Walkers and 5 members of the Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club enjoyed a specially guided tour of the Almond Ranch property which the John Muir Land Trust is hoping to acquire. This piece will fill a gap between Mt Wanda (US-NPS) and Dutra/Sky Ranch (JMLT) and join two segments of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The hike went up the main fire road to the Mt Wanda Park boundary, then thru the locked gate and up to the ridge of the Almond Ranch (fantastic views!). We returned down the nature trail, a single track. Then, after a snack stop, we rejoined the trail we came up; it was just under 3.5 miles.

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04/10 - Brushy Peak Regional Preserve

There were a dozen of us for the Wednesday Walkers' first ever trip to Brushy Peak Preserve in Livermore. We all hiked CCW loops, the main group completed the larger loop (about 4.5 miles) and a group of four cut across omitting the climb up to the main ridge (about 3.3 miles for them).

The hills were beautifully green and there were flowers to find as well. There were more birds than we usually see/hear: meadowlarks, red wing blackbirds, gulls (the preserve is next door to a landfill), several varieties of hawk, and lots of small birds in trees and bushes. In spite of the wind it was a wonderful day!

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04/03 Lime Ridge

On a very gray day eight of us headed to Lime Ridge to see how the area was recovering from last summer's wildfire. We took the Paradise Valley Tr to the intersection with Manzanita Tr. Then took Lime Ridge Tr down to Buckeye and eventually Ohlone Tr. A bit over 3 miles. Plenty of flowers, lots of green, minimal mud and NO rain at all in spite of the thick clouds.

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03/13 - San Pablo Ridge

Finally! A Wednesday without rain. The wind had a bite to it, but it was bright, sun filled day for the 15 of us who walked out from Inspiration Point. As often happens with a largish group, there were several side excursions.  Everyone walked at least 4.5 miles. Then there was a short detour to the Rotary Peace Grove (.2 mi); a longer climb  to the ridge added approximately .7 mile. So it was easily possible to have walked over 5 miles.

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2/20 Valle Vista

A nice group of 11 walked from the Valle Vista trailhead on an out and back along Kings Canyon Loop Tr. We walked out until 10:30 and then turned around. On the return we added the Riche Loop past the old house sites. The forecast showers never appeared and it was a lovely day to be out and moving! about 3.7 miles.

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02/06 - Mullholland Ridge

On a frosty (31 degree) morning just 4 of us adventured along the now closed section of Donald Drive in Moraga. There would have been more of us, but there was a nasty accident on Hwy 24, just before the tunnel, which turned the freeway into a parking lot and sent some of our walkers back home. We were rewarded with bright skies and wide views. Jeanne met us at the Hacienda and we walked around the gardens there. 3.7 mi

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