11/24 - Mullholland Ridge

 

This was a short morning stroll on a lovely clear day before Thanksgiving. 9 of us followed the old Donald Drive past the EBMUD tank to the gate leading onto watershed land. Once we reached the lower tank, we took a single track trail around a knoll and then eventually thru another gate for the final bit up to the paved road. About 1.75 miles

We were all grateful for the green grass, the blue sky and the companionship of our walking friends.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/TkkrN3

11/17 - Mitchell Canyon

 

There were ten of us today on our first Mt Diablo hike since April. It was a beautiful fall day, crisp and clear and perfect for walking. There were still grapevines with colored leaves and the creek was flowing and making happy noises over the stones. We went as far as the picnic tables under the huge oak where we serenaded Monique (85!!) and had cookies before heading back.  about 3.75 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/H01970

11/10 - Tilden

 

There was a bigger than usual group today, fifteen of us plus 4 dogs, all glad to be out after the rain. We walked from the Inspiration Pt parking lot to the junction with the trail to the Rotary Peace Grove and then retraced our steps. About 4 miles.

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

11/3 - St Mary's College Museum

 

This was unusual and a bit more complicated than our usual outings. Susan and Geoff arranged a curator led tour of the Inuit Print exhibit at St. Mary's College Museum of Art. "Collective Memories: Stonecuts from Cape Dorset" is open to the public until December 12. https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/collective-memories

In the 1960s, graphic arts flourished at remote trading posts near Canada’s Cape Dorset region. This exhibition of selected stonecuts from the Saint Mary's College Museum of Art permanent collection reflects the collective memories and culture of Inuit peoples preserving stories and life experiences of seminomadic Canada through contemporary printmaking practices.

After the museum tour, some of our group walked to SiSi's coffee shop.

Just a few pictures this time.  https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/74i52G

10/27 - Canal Trail

8 of took advantage of a bright, post storm Wednesday to get out and move. With no idea what the weekend deluge had done to park trails, we stuck to pavement, starting from Rodgers-Smith Park on Grayson Rd in Pleasant Hill we took sidewalks to the Canal Trail crossing just east of Pleasant Hill Rd. The trail is generally north from there. We went as far as Taylor Blvd. At the end we made a loop thru Las Juntas Park. A bit over 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/aX23w2

 

10/13 - Fernandez Ranch

 

Again, just 8 of us. It was a cool, cloudy morning very nice for walking; and the wind had died almost completely. We went up the Windmill Tr (the fireroad in the valley) to the gate on the saddle, then right along the Franklin Ridge Tr with wonderful views. We took the turn for the Canyon Loop Tr, then off on the single track Woodland Tr. This was the reverse of the route we took the first time we hiked this way in 2017 shortly after this section was opened to the public.  We had the Homestead Picnic Area all to ourselves for lunch. Just over 3.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/068358

10/6 - Pine Canyon

 

 It was a cool gray day to start and very pleasant for walking. We were a small group and seemed to stay together more than has often been the case. The grape leaves were mostly green, the poison oak red or leafless; most of the colors were very soft. A very nice 3.5+ mile hike. One difference from our earlier visits - we returned to the cars via Castle Rock Tr (starting at the gate just north of the sharp u-turn in the trail) rather than along the main entrance road. It was about the same length and deposited us right at the cars.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/LU93Fs