2/17 - Crockett Hills

Well masked and distanced 7 of us met at Crockett Hills. We made a short 2.3 mile lollipop loop. Trails were fine even tho it rained most of the day Monday and we anticipated slippery mud.  The Dirca was in full bloom along Wood Rat Trail. Altho we knew where to look for the Oso berry, all we found were leaves. And the white flowered ribes had only the tiniest of buds. But it was wonderful to be back on the trail with friends on such a glorious, blue sky-spring green morning.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2AM337 

12/02 - Albany Bulb

 

Eight of us (plus a brief "hello" visit with Delia) and 3 dogs spent a pleasant morning exploring new and re-imagined art work at the Albany Bulb. Just two miles but my legs can feel the effects of some of the scrambling.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/8i31Bs

Not very many pictures from earlier years...sometimes it was a matter of weather (rain!!) and in 2018 it was our luncheon at the McDougalls
    2011    Briones Reservoir, North shore
    2013    WCOS:  Acalanes Ridge from Sousa Dr
    2015    Briones RP: Valley Trail, then Crest Trail to Crescent Ridge Trail and Seaborg Trail
    2017    Sobrante Ridge:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/BP76R8

11/25 - WCOS from Borges Ranch

On the day before Thanksgiving a dozen of us and three dogs enjoyed a glorious autumn day in the foothills of Mt Diablo. For the first time, as far as I know, we started from the Borges Ranch parking area, walking clockwise up to Ginder Gap and then back to the cars. Just under 3 miles,

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/nz4yAo

We did not hike last week because the weather was too uncertain.

11/11 - Shell Ridge

 

It was a very gray morning as a big group made a counterclockwise loop at Shell Ridge, starting from the Sutherland Drive entrance. There were 14 of us plus Oscar and Obi. At Ginder Gap the group split with half making the hike up to the ridge and half completing the loop along the valley on the north side. Distances about equal - 3.1 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7P82ZG

And here are some photos from past years. The 2016 pictures show that sometimes, even if rarely, we have early rain.

    2011    Briones
    2012    Phoenix Lake
    2013    Shell Ridge (from Snyder Ln entrance)
    2016    Briones Reservoir, south shore
    2019    Benicia

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/f2B117

11/4 - Mitchell Canyon

 

There were 10 of us today on about as perfect a fall day as could be. Warm in the sun, but nice in the shade and an occasional breeze. No tarantulas this year, but a rafter of turkeys at the start. Some of the grapevines were still fully green, some of the leaves had simply dried up, but a fair number showed the colors we have come to expect. However we didn't see any rose hips or berries on the Hollyleaf redberry (look at the Retrospective for those!). We walked out the Mitchell Cyn fire road just past the table under the big oaks; about half went on a bit further. 4+ miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/w4Ja0s

Prior years:

    2014      Tennessee Valley
    2015      Marina Bay and the Rosie Museum
    2017      Mt Diablo: Curry Pt Rd then down to the Trail Thru Time
    2018      Pt Pinole
    2019      Mt Diablo: Mitchell Cyn

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/261073

10/28 - Canal Trail

 

After days of wind, power shut offs, high fire danger, park closures, etc. We opted for the urban rather than the wild. The walk was one we had done in Dec 2015, from Heather Farms to Larkey Park along the Contra Costa Canal Trail. 10 of us and Oscar enjoyed the 4+ mile walk.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/4x1168

10/07 - Wlldcat Marsh, Richmond

There were 10 of us today on a cool, overcast day with moderate air quality. Elaine discovered a section of the SF Bay Trail which is on property managed by the West County Wastewater District and Republic Services (think a garbage facility). The trail makes a circle, but the northern portion is temporarily closed. Even so, we walked just over 3 miles on an out and back. Everyone felt it would be worth a return visit.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9K7m8f 

And a look back at former 1st week of October hikes:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/451G79