01/14 - Mt Wanda

 We started the month with Soup Day at Ulla's on the 7th. Today was our first hike of 2026!

In the past we have walked out the fire road and taken the Nature Trail on the way back, but today we turned off at the Nature Trail and came back all the way on the fire road. It was crisp and on the edge of fog, but a good day to be out moving. Very green, no flowers yet, but a fair number of birds. 2.4 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/GuB794X1rB

Dec 2025

 Obviously, I'm waaay behind.

Here's a brief re-cap of the month.

There were no hikes on either 12/24 or 12/31; not only were there holidays to consider, it was also very rainy.

12/17 was the holiday party at the McDougall's

So we only had two hikes 12/3 and 12/10.

We started the month with a good walk at Sobrante Preserve. Eleven of us enjoyed a rare sunny day as we walked the usual route out to and around the manzanita knoll and back with a stop at the tables on the ridge for a snack and time to enjoy the view. Even tho we were earlier than when we walked here last year, the Arctostaphylos pallida were nearly through blossoming. Under 2 3/4 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0FDzg3NEx8

In contrast to the sunny day on the 3rd, the hike on the 10th was wrapped in fog. It was nearly clear but quite chilly at the parking lot, but the further we walked the thicker and lower the fog became. Four hikers turned around at the junction with Santos Tr; the rest of us walked another half mile or so before giving up and heading back as well. Of course it was bright back at the parking area. Even tho it was damp and cold it was still a good 3.5+ mile hike.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/rp31h350Xe

11/26/2025 and December

 

 

There were 8 of us (6 regulars and 2 guests) on this short hike. We walked up Borges Ranch Rd, then NW on the Briones-Mt Diablo Rd to the junction with Ridge Top Tr. We took that single track further NW to meet Costanoan Tr by the bench where we have often stopped; then Costanoan back to the cars. By the map that was under 2 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/j61xHN0CvB 

For December see January 2026

11/19 - Nimitz Way from Inspiration Pt

 

There were a dozen of us today as we took advantage of the paved surface and a break between storms to get out and moving. Getting to Inspiration Pt is longer with Wildcat Canyon Rd still closed for repairs and South Park Drive closed to protect the newts. There were only a few flowers, but lots of varied mushrooms. Altho there was blue sky when we started, it was uniformly gray by the time we returned to the cars. About 3.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/5J79188JoW

11/05 - UC Botanic Garden

This was perfect for a rainy Wednesday. Our timing was good and there was no rain and even a few shafts of sunlight thru the clouds while we walked in the garden after viewing the Tom Killian exhibit. 

Finally we all met by the gift shop and shared cookies in celebration of Elaine's birthday.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/p87y15Unqc

10/29 - Wildcat Marsh

 

Ten of us walked the approximately 3 mile loop around the landfill at Wildcat Marsh. Most walked CW and took the upper trail on the north side for the return. There were lots of birds, but only a few flowers. 

Merlin sound id'd black-necked stilt, western gull, long-billed dowitcher, marbled godwit, black-bellied plover, american avocet, willet, semipalmated plover and greater yellowlegs. There were also white pelicans, several little sandpiper "peeps" and possible other gull species. We also saw white crowned sparrows, redwing blackbirds, ravens, turkeys, a canada goose, turkey vultures, house finches and crows!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1pA614sEi6

10/22 - Mitchell Canyon

 

This was the usual hike in Mitchell Canyon: out as far as the table under the huge oak and then back. It was a beautiful autumn day, crisp, especially when the wind blew, but sunny and filled with color and things both animal and vegetable to look at. Just 8 of us on the 3.8 mile hike.

It was interesting that there were no berries that we could find on any of the Rhamnus ilicifolia (holly leaf redberry) or the Frangula californica (coffeeberry) but plenty of toyon berries.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Fm02pNkqGK

10/15 - No hike (rain)

10/08 - Huckleberry (I didn't hike)

10/01 - No hike (wet)