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Archive for Hiking Club
September 2, 2008 at 11:38 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Yesterday, Aug 29th 2008, 10 hikers braved the warm weather to hike out from Inspiration Point and along Nimitz Way Trail. Hikers were Barbara C., Trang I., Fran Mc., Shirley A., Marty R., Cindy W., Jane B., Emmie L, and Sharon K.
The skies were sunny and the intermittent shade welcome as we hiked along the trail. We hiked for over 4 miles (off the map so I couldn’t calculate exactly how far we went). We saw wise cows under a tree resting in the shade of a large oak tree, a couple of bunnies scurrying off into the underbrush, and a few flowers including asters, thistles, and fennel. We had views of Brionne Reservoir below to our right along with Mt. Diablo and Mt. Tam, and the Golden Gate Bridge provided a backdrop for our group photo. We hiked for a total of 2 hours. .
Our condolences go out to member Cindy Watkins whose grandmother passed away a little over a week ago. Cindy has been in Danville caring for her over the past two years and will be leaving us at the end of Sept to return home in Bosie.
Happy Trails, Sharon Kovar
August 21, 2008 at 6:24 am · Filed under Hiking Club
On Friday, Aug 15th, there were six hikers who hiked along Alameda Creek in Sunol. They were Cindy B., Fran M., Shirley A., Muff C., Barbara C., and Sharon K. As we entered the park we spotted two deer, a doe and a fawn, crossing the road.
They posed by the edge of the road for a photo before we continued on to the start of our hike. There was still water running under the bridge, making the bridge crossing, not the creek crossing, the choice. Often by this time of year the creek is low enough to hop over rocks so we concluded that they must be releasing some water.
Much of the creek was dry though. We spotted a few wild flowers, including the California fuchsia and milkweed. We hiked at a good pace and made it to the gate to the Ohlone Wilderness before turning around in a little less than an hour.
I tried to figure out how far we hiked but the map was confusing but I would say we hiked about 4+ miles in the two hours. The t terrain was a gentle rolling road.
Afterwards we had lunch at Bagel Street Cafe.
See the Slide Show
July 18, 2008 at 10:18 am · Filed under Hiking Club
We had a wonderful day for hiking last Friday and enjoyed a cool and comfortable hike in Huckleberry Botanical Reserve. The self-guided nature path was enjoyable as well as informative. I, for one, was greatly impressed by the size of the many Pacific Madronnes in the park.
Hikers today were Cindy B., Jacky H., Barbara J., new hiker, Muff C. and myself. We all decided that the hike was just perfect for the day . . . not too long and not too short. The drive to Huckleberry was foggy and we didn’t enjoy the great views until our return, but fog still blocked our view of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge. A big ‘thank you’ to Jacky for driving. We all enjoyed our lunch at Bagel Street Café afterwards.
Happy Trails to you all,
Cecilia G. Mason
May 30, 2008 at 4:38 pm · Filed under Hiking Club
The walking group meets every Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. on the side parking lot of Target in San Ramon.
Thank you,
Sharon M
kozynsr {at} comcast(.)net
May 30, 2008 at 11:58 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Last Friday, May 23rd we hiked along Brione Reservoir in Orinda. We hiked an hour out–well almost–until our hike was abruptly cut a little short by the sound of a rattlesnake. There was no mistaking the sound–like a can with dry beans being shaken. I didn’t see the snake but Chris T, who was leading the group at the time, did. She didn’t stick around long as the trail was narrow at that point. After that any rustle of leaves made by lizards made us raise our alert. Other hikers were April R., Suzy R., Barbara C., new member Ginny W.,and Sharon K. Welcome to the club Ginny.
The day was perfect for hiking. The skies were blue and the weather cool, a welcome relief from the 90 degree weather we experienced last week. We hiked along the blue green reservoir among the ferns. We saw a lot of sticky monkey flower, a bright orange wind poppy, a new white flower, columbine, blue witch, Wally basket, onion, yellow yarrow, coral root, and star flowers.
There were quite a few checkerspot butterflies.
Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at the Bagel Street Cafe.
Happy Trails, Sharon
May 13, 2008 at 12:43 pm · Filed under Hiking Club
This Friday, May 9th, we enjoyed a leisurely day of hiking at Ring Mountain Nature Preserve in Corte Madera.
The weather was warm and the sky blue but slightly hazy. We had several guests and newer members with us today enjoying the 360 degree view on top of the 600 ft. hill called Ring Mountain. We searched for the elusive Tiburon Mariposa Lily that only grows at this preserve but alas it remained elusive. There were many other flowers to enjoy including flax, checkbloom mallow, Wally baskets, several kinds of lupines, CA poppies, madia, rattlesnake grass, tidy tips, blue eyed grass, sunflowers, coyote mint, and more. The hillsides were not as heavily covered with wildflowers as in past years. The grasses were tall and golden. It appears that we were too late for many of them. It has been a very dry spring all over the bay area.
We hiked to the top where we could see the city in the distance along with Belvedere, San Quentin, Richmond San Raphael Bridge, a tiny island near the bridge (it’s for sale). We hiked to petroglyph rock where Emmie I. (soon to be new member) climbed to the top.
Today’s hikers were Barbara C., Gretta T., Jacky H., Rose T., Suzy R., Sharon K. and Thang I. Guests were Emmie L., Sheri S., and Tina H. Welcome to the club Thang. Emmie is joining us soon.
After lunch we enjoyed lunch by the water at Sam’s in Tiburon, What a wonderful way to end the day. Thank you Jacky for driving!
Happy Trails, Sharon
April 29, 2008 at 1:03 am · Filed under Hiking Club
It has been decided that we will go to Bosco’s after our Friday hike.
To make it easy we will divide the bill evenly. If this isn’t okay with you let me know ahead of time. So far we only have one person needing to get back to the park and ride right after the hike but that may change. Please let me know if you are one of these people. The restaurant is really close to Sunol Regional Park. I am thinking we will probably be at the restaurant for about an hour or a little longer. Barbara J. has sent us this restaurant review.
Happy Trails, Sharon
April 21, 2008 at 3:04 pm · Filed under Hiking Club
This Friday, April 18, we hiked out from Finley Rd in Morgan Territory. It was another clear day for hiking. The road where we parked was lined with California poppies, a promise of more wildflowers to be seen on the trail. We hiked along a wooded trail until we reached the old abandoned house on the left side of the trail where our single track trail, Oyster Point Trail, headed left.
We almost immediately crossed a small stream with a huge tree that was showing its eroded roots. From there, it was up, up, and more up–much of it fairly steep. The hills were still very green in this area. We were treated with some lovely dark purple larkspur along the trail as well as bright yellow buttercups. The group began to spread out as we went at our own pace. One group made a good spot of the Diablo Fairy Lantern, native only to this area. We also saw some owls clover, a few Wally baskets, and fiddle necks. We didn’t get far enough to see Blackhawk as I thought we might but we could look down on Finley Rd and see the small speck of the house where we had turned onto our Oyster Point Trail. For many of us the turn around after an hour came too early. The trail was finally leveling off a bit and we were getting our second wind. We hiked for a total of two hours.slideshow
We had 13 hikers today including three new members Debby Allen, Barbara Christensen and Suzy Renteln. Welcome to you all. The other hikers were Lois T., Shirley A., Gretta, Barbara J., Jacky H., Rose T., Cathy K., Cindy, April, and Sharon
Our deepest sympathy goes out to April at the passing of her father.
Happy Trails, Sharon
April 17, 2008 at 4:51 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Today we hiked at Bishop Ranch Open Space literally in some of our back yards. The hills were lush green and brimming with wildflowers. The trail was quite challenging with a lot of steep ups and downs. We hiked for a total of about 4 miles in a little less than 2 hours. We started off along Stream View Trail. This involved a few small stream crossings and took us through a wooded area on a single path trail. We saw a lot of buttercups in this area. As we continued upward and into a more open space we saw lupines, both miniature and standard, fields of tiny pink geranium, blue eyed grass, and most impressive the field of California poppies as we started down the final Grey Fox Trail. We didn’t see any wild life that I know of but the group was large and perhaps some of you spotted something I didn’t see. Most of us hiked past the water tower and to the Paddock entrance before completing the loop.
Today’s hikers were Barbara J., Chris T., Jane H., Lois T., Aleta S., Rose T., ShirleyA., Celia M., Sharon K. and 3 guests: Suzi R., Debbie A., and Monica V. Joining us afterwards for lunch at Kathy Incavo’s new home were Cathy K, Jacky H., Theresa A., and guest Barbara C. It was so nice to have so many out of the trails today, enjoying this beautiful spring weather and friendships–new and old.
Thank you Kathy for inviting us over for lunch. Your new home is lovely. Several people were asking if you would share your apple dessert with the group. It was delicious.
We hope that Suzi, Debbie, Monica and Barbara will join us again next week as will all of our members.
Click here for photo album
Happy Trails, Sharon
March 31, 2008 at 5:38 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Today’s hikers were Jacky H., Judie B., Jane H., Rose T., Lois T., Gretta T., guest Theresa A and her daughter, and Sharon K. It was another beautiful California spring day. The wildflowers weren’t as plentiful as on other hikes recently but the velvety green hills were wonderful to see. I think the cows have kept this area well mowed. We did see a few wildflowers on our way down Little Yosemite Trail and along Stage Road. We crossed several small streams along Stage Road without one of us getting our feet wet. We did see buttercups, miners lettuce, shooting stars, a few blue dicks, and sticky monkey flowers.
We hiked for a total of 2 hours getting a good aerobic workout hiking back up Little Yosemite Trail. Click here for slide show
Afterwards we all had lunch at Bagel Street Cafe. Our next hike is April 4. I hope to see many of you there.
Happy Trails, Sharon Kovar
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