3/7 - Briones

We started from the parking area at the end of narrow, twisty Briones Rd, took the single track down to Pine Tree Tr and then turned East on Toyon Tr. There was a bit more down before a long up hill to meet Lagoon Tr.; across the open area by the Maricich Lagoons and down the Old Briones Rd to complete the loop. I had never walked this loop counter-clockwise and it was interesting to see things from the different perspective it provided. There were lot of different flowers, just not as tall or lush or as many individuals as we are accustomed to seeing given the very dry winter. Still I took over 100 pictures. 3.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/464b41

3/31 - Perkins Cyn

There were 13 of us today. The group rapidly separated into smaller sub-groups and after the first half mile we were never all together again. It was a very warm day (high 70s); the ambling progress suited the day and there were lots of flowers. The good news for me was verifying the connection between the trail which heads up the steep slope section of the Perkins Tr (which eventually connects to Ray Morgan Rd), and the single track trail which leads past the dams. Mileage varied widely but was not more than 2-3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/27K2k8

3/24 - Round Valley Regional Preserve

 

There were a dozen of us today. We all started together walking out Miwok Tr. Susan, Geoff, Monique and Polly left the rest of us at the junction with the Hardy Canyon Tr which they took for their return route. The rest of us walked on into Round Valley and then out the Fox Tail Trail, returning the way we had come. The Deer complex fires of last September burned into the Preserve, but we saw little evidence at close range. However the steep slopes which form the eastern edge of Morgan Territory preserve were obviously affected.

The map is approximate as we often left the fire road trail to follow parallel cow paths along the creek course or thru the woods. Map distance was 4.7 miles (approx) for the main group and 4.5 miles for the smaller group, but they had _much_ more elevation gain.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/6Se16f

03/17 - Pine Canyon

 

There were 10 of us on a cold (42 when we started out)), gray day before a  promised storm. We did the usual out-and back going as far as the boarder with Mt Diablo St Park. John added on mileage from there, but the rest of us turned around and retraced our steps. It is very dry; the grass is short, flowers sparse and creek beds empty. Still everyone was glad to be outside and together. The light was soft and the green was just right for St Patrick's Day. A bit over 2.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2E09Qf

03/10 - There was no hike; rain and wind kept us home.

03/03 - Lime Ridge

 

There were 11 of us today on a very gray day at Lime Ridge. It was green, but the grass was very short and everything quite dry. We had hoped to return via the Ridge Tr, but the whole area is closed for habitat restoration, so we returned via Manzanita, Bcukeye and Ohlone Tr. 2.75 miles (John added several more miles on his own).

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/88q6N4

2/24 - Black Diamond Mines

It was a bright, pleasant morning with increasing winds. The 13 of us, plus 3 dogs, were headed back to the cars before it got too nasty tho. We all walked up Chaparral Loop and Manhattan Cyn to the gate on the fire road. We even started back together past the Indian Warriors and the large sandstone cliff, but some picked up Manhattan Cyn where it joins the road while the larger group followed the fire road up and down until it met the Nortonville Trail above the cemetery. Just under 3 miles for most of us (John took off on his own for a longer hike).

Altho we did see some flowers, there were not many and most were very small; we feel it is the result of our dry winter. The grass is quite short for late February, 6" or less. The Park district has been cutting many of the invasive Ailanthus altissima (Tree of heaven) along the Nortonville Rd and were busy chipping as we passed by. We also saw a number of buckeye seedlings, planted and caged, in the same area. No sign of goats or sheep this year.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/gc5258

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