Category Archives: Contra Costa County

Surprising Summer Wildflowers at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden

Posted on August 5, 2018 by trailhiker

This was a no-apology wildflower walk at the Regional Parks Botanical Garden in Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley.  Why no-apology?  Well, two days prior I had received a newsletter with an article highlighting two rare clarkia wildflowers that were in … Continue reading →

Posted in Contra Costa County, East Bay, East Bay Regional Park District, wildflower hikes | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Mt Diablo State Park: Wall Point Rd – Pine Canyon loop

Posted on June 8, 2016 by trailhiker

I decided to celebrate National Trails Day this year by hiking in Mt Diablo State Park, where there are over 500 miles of trails to choose from, with a variety of hike lengths and difficulties.  Due to a forecast of … Continue reading →

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Docent-led tour at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

Posted on May 16, 2016 by trailhiker

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge is unique within the National Wildlife Refuge system: it is the only wildlife refuge that was established specifically to protect endangered plants and insects.  The special species protected here are the Antioch Dunes evening primrose, … Continue reading →

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Iron Horse Regional Trail: Monument Blvd to Marsh Dr

Posted on November 22, 2015 by trailhiker

The East Bay Regional Park District has, over its 81-year history, assembled an impressive variety of parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, including some 65 regional parks and 29 regional inter-park trails. This was my first visit … Continue reading →

Posted in Contra Costa County, East Bay, East Bay Regional Park District, multi-use trails, walking for fitness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Los Vaqueros Watershed: Tarantula Run half marathon route

Posted on October 27, 2015 by trailhiker

In the San Francisco Bay Area, one of October’s characteristics is that it is considered to be tarantula season, when male tarantulas are on the prowl for mating opportunities. During a recent long hike on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail in … Continue reading →

Posted in Contra Costa County, East Bay, walking for fitness | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Mt Diablo State Park: Mitchell Creek – Eagle Peak Loop

Posted on May 26, 2015 by trailhiker

Mt Diablo State Park is a large (20,000 acres, or about 31 square miles) park whose centerpiece is 3849-foot Mt Diablo. Someday I will try to hike all the way to the top, a 14-mile round trip hike, but this … Continue reading →

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Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Regional Parks: East Bay Skyline National Trail

Posted on March 22, 2015 by trailhiker

This was a group hike to celebrate the first day of Spring by hiking the northern 10 miles of the East Bay Skyline National Trail in the East Bay hills of Contra Costa County, starting in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park … Continue reading →

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Diablo Foothills Regional Park

Posted on January 27, 2015 by trailhiker

This 3.5-mile loop hike was an exploration in Diablo Foothills Regional Park with a short section in the City of Walnut Creek’s Shell Ridge Open Space. Part of the area near the trailhead is designated as Castle Rock Recreation Area, … Continue reading →

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Briones Regional Park: Loop to Briones and Mott Peaks

Posted on October 24, 2014 by trailhiker

This was the second time I’d hiked in Briones Regional Park and it was my first hike from the Bear Creek Staging Area. My first hike had been staged at the Lafayette Ridge Staging Area at the southeast corner of … Continue reading →

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Morgan Territory Regional Preserve

Posted on March 20, 2014 by trailhiker

Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, in southern Contra Costa County, has the feel of being remote from the main population and activities of the Bay Area.  The park entrance is located on Morgan Territory Road, which is a single-lane paved road … Continue reading →

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