09/18 - Briones

There was a big group today in spite of a morning which started with showers in Moraga and rain in Berkeley. Shirley left her car at the lot by the Park office on Alhambra Valley Rd and Phred and Elaine shuttled her over to the Alhambra Creek entrance where the rest of us had assembled (13 hikers and Oscar).

There were two groups of hikers. The "Short" group took Orchard Tr to Pine Tr and up Toyon Canyon. The "Long" Group went up the single track trail on the east side of Alhambra Creek to Spengler Tr, up to Old Briones Rd, Crest Tr, Lagoon Tr and finally down Toyon Canyon Tr. We met the other hikers and had lunch before we all headed back down.

Mileage is a bit complicated as there was an additional group formed which hiked back to the cars rather than waiting for the driver shuttle. The short group came far enough UP Toyon Canyon that they did over 3 miles. The main long group did 4.3 and the hardy hikers did 5.2

There was an amazing display of tarweed, fields of yellow. And the clouds were wonderful as the storm front left the area. Another wonderful Wednesday!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/W4v854

9/11 - Springhill

After two weeks of pavement, we took advantage of moderate weather to get back on dirt trails. When we reached the Springhill trailhead we were astonished to find the parking area jammed with cars. It seems there was some sort of Search and Rescue dog training event today. The school at the end of the road was gracious enough to let us park at the far end of their lot.

We separated into two groups, but there are only pictures from the group of 6 (Phred, Elaine, Ed, Martha, Geoff and Karen). We made a clockwise loop up to the ridge and then down the Buckeye Ranch Tr. A little under 2.5 miles, but lots of steep up and down made it feel much longer.

Shirley, Polly, Charlotte, Ron and Sylvia (with Oscar) made a loop of about 1.5 miles up the valley and around to the grassy section before the climb toward Sunrise Tr.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1858F1

09/04 - Streets of Berkeley & Garber Park

A dozen of us walked the streets and paths above the Claremont Hotel, starting from Vicente Rd.,  on a muggy Wednesday. The plan was to have lunch at the little green space where the lower end of Willow Walk meets Alvarado Rd. But the tree trimmers were working right there and the noise was dreadful. So we went to Plan B, driving to Temescal and having lunch at the south end of the park. Since we missed the entrance, we parked up on Broadway Terrace and walked down (and back up!). That brought our mileage to just over 2.5 miles; but with all the stairs and up and down our legs could have sworn to much longer than that.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/8r77K0

8/28 - Pt. Richmond

It's been hot inland, so Bay breezes beckoned! Ten of us started from the Park across from the Natatorium and made a CCW loop thru the streets of Pt. Richmond. This is the opposite of the way we have gone in the past. Our last visit was August of 2016, so a bit has changed. We had an early lunch at the Wave Garden and made our return through the Tunnel. Only a bit over 2.5 miles, but it really felt like more.

If you care, our route was W. Richmond Ave, L on Tunnel Ave, R on Nicholl Ave, L on Santa Fe and R onto Piedmont Pl then left up a path to Summit Pl, R on Golden Gate Ave, L on Marine St, R on Western Dr.which becomes Ocean Ave. Straight ahead to the dead end steps which go up to the Wave Garden. Leaving the garden follow Grandview then R down the steps to Cliffside Ct and straight ahead on Western Dr. until it dead ends at a dirt path which goes up to another section of Western Dr.; Past Keller Beach to the Pt Richmond tunnel. Thru the tunnel and back by the Natatorium to the cars.
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https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/yoa1b8

08/21 Martinez Regional Shoreline

It was a beautiful day to be out along the waterfront...bright, breezy and pleasantly warm. This is just about Phred and Elaine's "backyard" and they served as our leaders today. We made a clockwise loop from the Grangers' Wharf  parking area at the end of Berrellesa St out thru the marsh, then to Ferry Point, back to shaded tables near the bocce courts for lunch and finally thru the edge of town to see the progress of the new County building and several of the mini gardens of CA natives that Elaine works on. Total distance just about 3 miles. Everyone agreed it was a great walk.

Questions answered:
    the old rail station was built in 1876; the new one in 2001.
    Martinez-Benicia ferry service began in 1847 (the first and longest running ferry
       service in the Bay area);
    the last run was in Sept 1962 after the bridge was opened. This was always a Martinez-
       Benicia route, not Martinez to SF.
    Heliotropium curassavicum var. oculatum (Seaside heliotrope) is a native perennial.
    Dodder is in the CONVOLVULACEAE

Now for the bad news. When I pulled out my camera, the batteries were dead and my spare set was in my other pack. It was only after lunch that I realized I could have used my phone camera :-(  Oh well, we will walk there again and Phred will have pictures.

07/31 Carquinez Strait: Bull Valley SA to Port Costa

Fourteen of us started from the Bull Valley Staging area (Carquinez Scenic Drive) and walked a meandering clockwise loop of about 3.25 miles. It was very dry, but not devoid of flowers. Port Costa is full of things that catch the eye, too.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/kJpg1B

7/24 - Albany Bulb and Blake Gardens

It had been almost seven years since we ventured to the Albany Bulb; the last time was Sept of 2012. As the weather was going to be super hot on the east side of the hills, it seemed like a good day for a return visit. Thirteen of us plus Obi and Oscar made a loop of the Bulb and found things we had not seen (or didn't remember) all those years ago as well as some constructions which were familiar. The folks who used to live there were evicted in 2013 and the land is now part of the Albany park system along with bits of the Bay Trail and some EBRPD control as well. None of that has stopped the artistic expression which made the Bulb such an attraction, but there is less concern about the safety of visitors.

For lunch we drove up to Kensington and the Blake Gardens (a UCB property; see and explore https://blakegarden.ced.berkeley.edu/ ). We sat in the cool of the redwood grove for lunch and made a meandering circuit thru parts of the garden before heading back to the "oven" of Contra Costa County. (High of 95 at our house in Orinda).

Just under 2 miles at the Bulb and about 1/2 mile in the garden.

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