6/22 - Redwood

Yesterday hit triple digits and today was going to be barely cooler, so 5 of us took only a short walk in the shade of Redwood Regional Park.

We took Stream Trail to the bridge crossing and then picked up the Bridle Trail. That is closed after the junction with Chown so we went back to Stream and walked as far as the junction with Fern before heading back. About 2.5 miles.

We started by 9 and were back to the cars about 10:15. The thermometer on mine (parked in the shade) already registered 82!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/cHQk2h

6/15 - Chabot

 

There was just a small group today; 7 of us. We met at the Bort Meadow staging area on Redwood Rd and walked a CW loop out Grass Valley Tr to the stone bridge and back Brandon Tr. The forecast was for hot by afternoon, but with the amount of shade on the return we were OK. The variety of plants along the west side Brandon trail is wonderful and a bit surprising. Just over 3 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/W68y84

06/08 - Pine Canyon

The forecast was for heat, so we wanted an easy walk with some shade. This hike from the end of Castle Rock Rd to the picnic benches just before the gated entry to Mt Diablo State Park filled the bill. It is exceedingly dry. We were glad of the dappled shade and occasional breeze as the car thermometer said 83 when we got back about 11:30. 9 of  us enjoyed the hike anyway. About 2.7 miles

As to the question about who or what Ithuriel was (think the common name of Triteleia laxa): Ithurial was an angel in Milton's Paradise Lost. With the touch of his spear, the true form of a body was revealed (Satan in the form of a toad in the book).

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/qR4Gx1

05/25 - Albany Bulb

 

After 90° + weather yesterday and a forecast of only slightly cooler inland today, we headed Bay Side for a short walk at Albany Bulb. Six of us enjoyed cool breezes, imaginative art, an interesting bit of restoration planting and celebrating Lee's birthday. About 1 3/4 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/43LUw0

05/11 - Ring Mountain

 

Phred reminded me that we hadn't been to Ring Mountain in quite a while (last time was 2018), so we set out to remedy that shortcoming!  After several blustery cool days the air was clear and the views expansive. We started from Westward Dr and walked up to the petroglyph rock, then over to the east bluff; we retraced our steps to the Loop Trail and returned that way. The drought is very evident here and lots of the trails were as hard as concrete. Many plants were stunted even if they tried to flower. We were late for some and a bit early for others, but all agreed it was a lovely day. About 2.7 miles tho the up, and especially the down, made it feel longer.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/b972Ek

05/04 - Point Pinole

It was forecast to be very warm inland today, so we headed Bay side to catch some cooler breezes. We walked CCW from the Atlas Rd entrance parking lot out to the pier and then back, mostly through the eucalyptus "forest". There is a new paved path down to Bay level to the east of the fishing pier; nice to explore since the tide was out.

There were not many flowers (no sign of the Calochortus luteus), but good walking and good company. About 3 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Rfq1kC

 

A very small group (7) was rewarded with perfect weather and an excellent flower display.

We expect lots of Triteleia laxa , but today there were thousands! We have usually seen the Mt Diablo Fairy Lantern along Hetherrington Tr. Today there were so may (100's) that we almost quit noticing them. And then there were the brilliant Wind  Poppies, the Mt Diablo Jewel flower, the masses of Leptosiphon (Linanthus), the Cream Sacs, etc., etc. etc.

Thank you to Shirley who introduced us to this loop!!

Just under 3.7 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1Ezj10