Hike around Pine Canyon - Mt. Diablo State Park

It's been a long time since I've been to Mt. Diablo State Park.  It's one of my favorite places, but so are all of the other parks around here.  So, I got my trusty map and planned a hike.  I wanted to do a loop hike, and I found a nice route around Pine Canyon.  Most of this route is on fire roads, but Secret Trail is a single track that winds through some nice forest.  This was a busy route, filled with hikers and runners of all ages.  

The trailhead is located at the end of Green Valley Road in Alamo.  There is parking there, and bathrooms, but you'll need to pay the $6 fee in to a little box, and put your reciept on your dash.

 

Distance: 6.14 miles

Ascent: 2905 feet

Descent: 2984 feet

Calories burned: approximately 660

 

Photo Map  

 

Route:

Start out at the Marcedo Ranch Trailhead (End of Green Valley Road in Alamo)

Bathrooms, picnic tables, $6 parking fee

Take Wall Point Road

Bear Right at split between Dusty Road and Wall Point Road

Keep on Wall Point Road past Emmons Canyon Road

Climb to Wall Point at 1600 feet

Keep Left on Wall Point Road toward Secret Trail

Left on to Secret Trail

Left on BBQ Terrace Road

Left on to Stage Road 

Left on to Dusty Road

Right on Well Point Road back to parking lot

 

Notable Scenes:

Sun hitting the back side of these Oaks on the hill next to Wall Point Road 

You'll see this nice cluster of Oaks as you climb Wall Point Road, just past the cow gate

 

Perching Scrub Jays on a Manzanita - Wall Point Road 
Secret Trail - The only single track trail on this hike 

Full Photo Gallery

Hike to Las Trampas Peak - Video

I sent away for a video camera stabilizer that steadies the camera as I move.  It's the same kind of technology they use in movies, when the cameraman is walking and doesn't want the video to be shaky.  I mount my video camera on the unit, and walk the trails.  It's a bit challenging to use, and it's very sensitive.  This video was shot on hike to Las Trampas Peak.  It was a nice hike, and you can read more about it here. 

The purpose of these videos is to give a hiker the experience of being on the trail. Thanks for viewing.

The Trails of Glendalough, Ireland

If your travels ever take you to Ireland, then journey up to Glendalough, in County Wicklow.  There, you'll find the remains of a 6th century monastic settlement.  The lazy way to wander about is to take the Green Road trail, which passes the lower lake and touches the shoreline of the upper lake.  You'll pass through the old settlement and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the water.  

This is a history experience, along with a hike, and you'll get a true sense of the history of the place as you wander through the cemetery and around the lakes.  There is a visitor center with food and bathrooms. Numerous tours leave from Dublin, so visit Glendalough on your next trip there.  

 

The Round Tower. The opening is about 3.5 meters above the ground. The monks used to hide in here when threatened.The main gate to the settlement. You can sense the history that walked through this gate.Little Irish cottage by the Upper Lake.Well maintained trails here.Much of the walk is through beautiful Irish forestA rare sunny day exposes more of the forest.

Wikipedia Entry

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Trail Map

Photo Slideshow 

Hike to Briones Peak

Summer hikes in the East Bay can be challenging if you hike mid-day. Even the birds grow quiet, prefering to hang in the shade and watch weary hikers walk on by.  One way to avoid the fatigue and dust of a hike in the heat is to start out early.  It's also a great way to observe the beautiful morning light. Dawn is when the birds start chattering, and you'll have an opportunity to see them hunting for their breakfast.  

This hike is a beautiful combination of rolling, oak studded hills, canopied trails and spectacular views.  It starts at the Reliez Valley Staging Area, in Lafayette.  (Just up the street, opposite, is the serene and welcoming Buddha Gate Monastery, well worth a visit.)

 

Briones Regional Park Information

Trail Map

Photo Map

Mileage: 6.33 miles

Ascent: 2821 feet

Descent: 2817 feet

 

  

The parking area at the Reliez Valley Station is small, so get there early enough to grab a spot. Start out on the Blue Oak Trail, just past the gate. 

 

The trail splits, but reconnects later.  I took the single track trail on the left to avoid any bikers.  

 

The early morning sun gave a golden glow to the hills and Oaks as I climbed up the Blue Oak Trail. 

 

 

The trail here opens to a wider fire road.  You'll have views of rolling hills and the local suburbia, and even though this trail gets busier during the day, at this time of the morning it was peaceful and quiet.  In the high grasses, I saw a family of Wild Turkeys, and they scattered as I moved past them.  

Self Portrait on the Blue Oak Trail:

 

At 1.26 miles - Take a Left on to Spengler Trail.  Spengler splits here, but keep left for this trip to Briones Peak.

 

1.57 miles - Right on to Table Top Trail - On your climb to Briones Peak

 

From Table Top Trail, you'll see expansive views of the Carquinez Strait, and the Benicia/Martinez Bridge. You'll see this view again at the top of Briones Peak. 

1.94 miles - Keep Right on to Briones Crest Trail to Briones Peak

 

2.14 miles - On your Right is an unmarked little path to Briones Peak.  Follow this path for a short bit to a fence. On the other side of the fence is a nice bench with a view of the Carquiniz Strait.  If you're up to it, climb over the bars, sit and have a nice meal/snack/beverage.

Path to Briones Peak

 

View from Briones Peak

 

Return back down and head back the way you came.  At the Table Top/Briones Peak intersection, take a right on to Table Top Trail. This will take you on a nice, senic loop, but eventually leads back to the staging area.  Or, you could call it a day and return the way you came.  If you rested at Briones Peak, and had a snack, take the loop. It's great exercise.  

 

Scenes from the Loop:

 

 

 

Follow Table Top, and keep bearing left as you hike back.  This loop is going to take you back to the Table Top/Spengler split.   You'll follow Table Top on this loop, and eventually take a Left back on to Spengler.

  

At about 4.72 miles, you'll be back at the Table Top/Spengler split.  Continue Right on to Spengler.  Follow Spengler until you get back to the first split.

 

Take a Right here, on to Blue Oak Trail.  This will take you back to the Reliez Valley Staging Area.

  

Photo Slideshow:

 

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

What a spectacular trip.  The Elkhorn Slough Reserve is a field laboratory for scientific research and estuarine education.  Its 1700 acres can be accessed via boat or hiking trails.  As you'll see from the photos below, there is an incredible variety of sea and bird life.  California sea lions and playful otters come right up to your boat. Egrets and Herons hunt just a few yards away.  Pelicans come right up to you, looking for handouts.  

This is home to a large colony of sea otters.  They float lazily around, enjoying the sun, but breaking to dive for clams, fish, or whatever else is on the menu.

What, another boat full of photographers?The Sea Lions are loud and energetic.  They are often lying on a pier, enjoying the sun and watching the boats warily.

 

The Reserve is home to a huge variety of birds.  You'll see Cormorants, Egrets, Pelicans, Herons, Gulls, and quite of few other birds native to the area.  Here is a birding guide to provide you the locations for best viewing. Here are a few of the birds I saw last week.

Cormorants...Like a scene from Hitchcock's "The Birds"

Great EgretGreat Blue HeronAmerican White Pelican

Here is how to visit the Slough.    I went via a photography meetup. There are numerous boats that offer tours for photographers and visitors, and places to rent kayaks.  Here is a link to the hiking trails.

Have fun and be safe.

Slideshows

Sea Lions:

Cormorants:

Sea Otters:

Egrets and Herons:

Pelicans: