Black Diamond Regional Preserve

Our first "pre-storm" hike of the year. Windy, with wonderful clouds. Shirley was right about the views.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/W26sF4/

Castle Rocks Trail, Mt. Diablo SP

Dry, dry, dry...very little new growth. But a beautiful 3.2 mile walk starting from where Burma Road crosses Northgate Rd and ending at the Park boundary (Falcon Rd), with a detour along Castle Rocks trail.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/n9U4GQ/

Big Break Regional Shoreline

The name of the area comes from the "big break" which destroyed a levee protecting agricultural land in a 1928 storm. The walk (1.6 miles to the turn around by the Ironhorse Sanitary District ponds; a total of about 3.8 miles) was not as interesting as it might have been as the trail skirts the marsh and follows the edge of a residential development. However the Delta Discovery area was fascinating as well as informative.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/D4H22j/

Walnut Creek Open Space

Not a hike so much as a ramble...

It was chilly in the shade and tho pleasant in the sun not very warm. The WC Open Space trails are a wonderful resource, well marked and easily accessible.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/aKFF37/

El Toyonal

El Toyonal Rd in north Orinda has been closed for years from Wildcat Canyon Road to just before Vista Del Orinda. 9 of us enjoyed a pre-Thanksgiving amble along the closed road on Wednesday morning.

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/A8r52v/

Shell Ridge from the East Side

It was hard to believe it was mid-November. We we were in short sleeves and several zipped off the legs of their long pants. Very dry, but lovely!

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/eoof14/

South Shore, Briones Reservoir

We hiked the Bear Creek Trail (EBMUD) along the south shore of Briones Reservoir. There was more evidence of the season in the colors, dried vegetation and angle of the light.

Madrone berries fallen among leaves of the black oak

http://flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/66dUM1/