10-25 Mitchell Canyon

After two missed Wednesdays (smoke from Wine Country fires followed by wind and closed open space) we didn't care if the forecast was for HOT, we needed to get out on the trail. Eleven of us walked from the Mitchell Canyon parking area toward the upper end of the canyon and back. Lunch was at the picnic table under the monster oak 2 miles in. This was a quintessential California fall day! pleasant in the shade, hot in the sun, lots of birds, long shadows and wonderful colors.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/2w67k3
(warning...lots of grape leaf pictures)

10-18 No Hike

Red Fire Warnings. Closed parks and open space. Wind. Heat. No Hike

10-11 No Hike

This has been quite a week in northern CA. The terrible wildfires in the wine country have sent incredible smoke into the entire Bay Area. Warnings are constant to avoid outdoor activity. Public lands have been closed as a response to the high fire danger.

The picture was taken from my yard midday on Wednesday. The hills behind the school are barely visible and they are only a half mile away.

10-4 San Pablo Reservoir

This was a pleasant excursion for 13 Wednesday Walkers. We started at Kennedy Grove and picked up the Bay Area Ridge trail segment at the north end of the parking area. Most of us wandered thru the eucalyptus forest, crossed San Pablo Creek on adequate rocks and finally emerged to cross the entrance road just below the dam. From the crossing to the top of the dam was the only real "up". Once we were at lake level it was easy walking on the old paved road, in and out of the shade. We ate lunch on the deck at the marina and wandered back. It was a beautiful fall day for a 3.4 mile amble.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/77H54H

9/27 - Pine Canyon

Eight of us took a chance and walked on what was forecast to be a very hot day. And it certainly was hot by the time we got back to the cars, but the walk (2.8 miles) was leisurely, there was some shade and an occasional breeze. This turned out to be that dry time between summer and fall with very little "color". We had a nice morning with a snack stop at our turn around point (just before the trail enters MtD St Park) and ate lunch at the picnic area by the sports field before heading the final quarter mile to the cars.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9CWSq1

You might want to compare the color we here saw last September: https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7F2697

09/06 - Pt. Pinole

On a breezy/windy day with pleasant temperatures after the 100+ degrees over the weekend, 14 of us walked from the new entrance at the end of Atlas Rd to the recenty opened Dodsen marsh area. Lunch was enjoyed on nicely placed tables near the China Clipper spur trail. 4 1/4 miles.

For good information on the newly accessible marsh area, see: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/pt_pinole (scroll clear to the bottom of the page)

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/78C9aj

8/30 Huckleberry Preserve

There was a bit of a revision to plans for today's hike. We parked, as planned, at the Skyline staging area but then, instead of walking the west ridge of Redwood Park, 8 of us completed a 3.5 mile "lollipop" hike which took us counterclockwise around the Huckleberry Loop trail. With the heat promised for the weekend, it was great to spend time in the shaded woods. Fog had been extensive enough to leave damp patches on the trail and there was still water flowing in several drainages. We had lunch on one of the Manzanita barrens (#6 on the park map).

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9Kp040