After days of wind, power shut offs, high fire danger, park closures, etc. We opted for the urban rather than the wild. The walk was one we had done in Dec 2015, from Heather Farms to Larkey Park along the Contra Costa Canal Trail. 10 of us and Oscar enjoyed the 4+ mile walk.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/4x1168
There were 10 of us today on a cool, overcast day with moderate air quality. Elaine discovered a section of the SF Bay Trail which is on property managed by the West County Wastewater District and Republic Services (think a garbage facility). The trail makes a circle, but the northern portion is temporarily closed. Even so, we walked just over 3 miles on an out and back. Everyone felt it would be worth a return visit.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9K7m8f
And a look back at former 1st week of October hikes:
It was wonderful to be back walking after 6 weeks of heat and smoke. 11 of us walked an out and back route from the Atlas Rd parking lot to the end of the Cordgrass Jetty Tr. I mis-read my prior walk (2017) information. The distance I had noted was one way, so we walked close to 4 miles instead of the advertised two.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/C100z1
I am so glad we didn't try to walk today. As if the heat was not bad enough*, the smoke from lightning caused fires is dreadful.
Here are pictures from previous years when we had better hiking weather:
2013 Tilden: Inspiration Pt to Lake Anza
2014 Sibley from the Tunnel Road entrance
2015 Valle Vista to St Mary's College
2016 Redwood: out Stream Trail, up Mill and French and down Chown to the Bridle Tr.
2017 Tilden: down Meadows Canyon Tr to Wildcat Gorge Tr. then up to Lake Anza
for lunch; back Curran Tr
2018 from Skyline Equestrian Center to Bort Meadows
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/ZB6c5X
*Friday 107, Saturday 108, Sunday 106, Monday 99, Tuesday 104, and 98 as I write this at 1pm on Wednesday
We started just as the fog was lifting. By the time we reached the ridge it was clear and getting hot. So it was good that we were going to be in the shade, mostly, for the rest of the hike.
Starting from the Tunnel Rd entrance, we went up the open grassy slope, viewed the larger labyrinth, walked down the shaded south side of the Round Top Loop Tr; regathered at the Skyline parking lot and headed down the canyon trail which is our usual ascent. 3 mile or a little more.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/dN03dX
and a few from prior years:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/49fv99
