There were just 5 of us today on a bright, but cool, almost fallish feeling day. We walked from the EBMUD parking lot on Bear Creek Rd to the Dam overlook parking lot where Shirley met us to shuttle drivers back to the start. There was lots to look at in spite of the extremely dry conditions. A very nice walk, just a bit over 3.5 miles.
A heat wave forecast meant it was better to start early (we were on the trail by 9) and chose a
route with shade and mostly downhill. The hike from the Steam
Train parking lot to the Tunnel Rd entrance to Sibley fit the
bill. There were just six of us which worked well with a shuttle
back to the cars (thank you, Shirley!!). All agreed it was much
more interesting than we anticipated and since we were done by 11,
the temperature, tho above normal, wasn't stinky yet. Just over 2
1/2 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/kLM47q
Just seven of
us on a bright and breezy day, cool for June. We started from the
Reliez Valley trailhead and headed west toward the hills. As far
as I can tell the Wednesday Walkers have not walked in this part
of Briones. The original plan was to take a lollipop route: out
Blue Oak Tr, up the canyon on Blue Oak Shortcut, and back down
Blue Oak Tr. The trail was steeper than we wanted to tackle both
the single track up the canyon and the fire road coming down, so
we made it an out and back. It was very dry, but most of the oaks
were in good condition and there were interesting things to see
once we were into the canyon About 2 3/4 miles
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/dCEa9A
Just 9 of us met at the parking on Lone Oak Rd in Tilden on a cool morning, foggy to start, but perfect for walking. We went up the Loop Rd, took the single track Sylvan Trail around and down to Jewel Lake, meandered close to the water for a bit then picked up Upper Packrat Tr. Delia was right, there was a great deal to see and we were constantly stopping to examine something or other. Once back to "civilization" we found a picnic table for our lunch, then walked the quarter mile remaining to the cars. Not very long 2.25 miles, but very pleasant and unexpectedly interesting.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/P52dR6
Nine of us took advantage of cooler weather (high 60's) to visit the NoEast side of Diablo. It was a windy day, but lovely to be out on the trails. We started from the Mitchell Canyon trailhead, taking Oak Rd, then down to Murchio Rd, Bruce Lee Rd to Back Creek Tr, then up the canyon to the junction with Tickwood Tr and in a quarter mile, Donner Cabin Tr further east and down to the Donner Cyn Rd; Donner Cyn to Murchio Rd which we took all the way back to Watertower Rd and then back to the cars.
Susan had suggested Back Canyon and Tickwood Tr, but trying to design a shorter loop than what we have often done led to the trial of Donner Cabin Tr. It would be hard going up, but down was fine and even Susan said she had never walked it.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/W0Z582
After days of heat and dry wind in the interior East Bay, the choice of Pt Pinole was a good one today. It was bright and breezy and the wind off the fog made the sun feel good. Eight of us walked a clockwise loop from the Atlas Rd entrance, making a detour out the fishing pier, for a distance of a bit over 3 miles. It is so very dry! There are few flowers and the ones there are are smaller than usual.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/93htW7
There was no hike last Wednesday - too hot.
