Pelicans headed to the far end of the reservoir
Most of us met at Pine Lane and walked along the EBMUD trail, scurried across Mt Diablo Blvd and trudged up the hill to the parking lot. We then walked a counter clockwise loop around the reservoir. Of course the mist wasn't serious until we reached the far end, when it made no difference which way we returned. It was never really rain, but we still got plenty damp. 11 hikers and Sunny. The full route was about 4 miles.
14 of us started from the
parking area at the intersection of Grizzly Peak and Centennial Dr
on a very chilly morning (still in the 40s). We walked down the
canyon and then back up to the Botanical Garden for the current
art exhibit in the "Plants Illustrated" series. Three more of our
group joined us for the exhibit. After lunch/snacks on the deck we
squeezed into 3 cars to shuttle back to the top. A lovely day. 4.4
miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/01TPuSGHrN
There was a very large group today - 17* plus 2 dogs. It was quite chilly to start, especially in the shade or when a swirl of wind came through. The trail wasn't muddy and the Dirca, Oso Berry and white flowered Ribes were all in bloom. (spoiler...my Dirca photos were too "fuzzy" to post). A wonderful hike. 2.3-2.6 miles depending on return route.
It was special for Ann as her first hike with us was last February at Crockett Hills.
* I originally said 16, but had neglected to count myself.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/246ss4E095
For our first walk of 2025, eight
of us took a route we've not done since 2021, walking from the Skyline
gate to Redwood RP, along the Huckleberry path to Huckleberry Regional
Preserve. We had our snacks at the picnic tables there, then continued a
CW circuit along lower Huckleberry Path, then the Skyline Tr and so
back to the cars. 3.5 miles.
It is a bit tricky to navigate as neither the Huckleberry map nor the
Redwood RP map shows the connection, tho each has an arrow to the
other. However it is very clear on a 1991 map I have (Trails of the East Bay Hills, Central Section,
published by Olmsted Map Co-Berkeley). The connection from the East
Ridge Tr in Redwood has badges for the East Bay Skyline Tr, the Bay Area
Ridge Tr, and the DeAnza Tr, but no mention of Huckleberry Preserve.
This is one you have to know exists!
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/3Wgy9Nt7n2
For our final hike of 2024, 9
of us hiked from the end of Coach Dr up and around to the Sobrante
Ridge Preserve manzanita grove and back. We started in dense fog
and the hike ended in sunshine. 2.6 miles
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0j0ZDrc536
