April 27, 2008, Sea Foam Trail in Kennedy Grove Park in El Sobrante
Compare the native plant rich area to the eucalyptus plantation. Under the bay trees here, there is more than one would expect. Lots of common natives, and some unusual ones. This is a short 1.5 mile walk. Only 400 foot elevation gain up to the ridge. Meet at 10am, we should be back at the cars around 11:30. There will then be an optional continuation along Black Oak Loop trail.
Directions: Take San Pablo Dam road from Route 80 or from Orinda to Castro Ranch Road in El Sobrante. Turn onto Castro Ranch Road. Go two blocks on Castro Ranch Road, turn right on Hillside Drive. Go about 1/2 mile to end of Hillside Drive, turn left on Patra Drive. Go to end of Patra Drive and park. No fees.
Saturday, May 3, East Trail, Mount Diablo. Meet at 9:30 am across from the Divide Reservoir sign on Marsh Creek Road in Clayton. Led by Gregg Weber.
We will see a great diversity of native plants, and lots of wildflowers. There is an interesting interior live oak forest. This walk has a 1600 feet elevation gain on the way out. It will be all downhill on the return trip. Round trip is about 5 miles. Figure on returning around 3-4 pm. Bring lunch and water. We will take Three Springs Road, Olympia Trail, and East Trail.
Directions: Take 24 or 680 to Ignacio Valley Road. Continue on Ignacio Valley Road into the City of Clayton, turn right on Clayton Road. Take Clayton Road past the first intersection with Marsh Creek Road. In about a mile, it becomes Marsh Creek Road. Continue straight on Marsh Creek Road. Go about two miles past Regency Drive. As you go uphill, look for the Divide Reservoir sign on the left side of the road (not the Nob Hill reservoir sign). Park on the right side of the road across from the Divide Reservoir sign. There is plenty of space to park.
Saturday, May 10, 10 am, Briones Park - Blue Oak Trail, Spengler Trail
There should be quite a few Calochortus pulchellus. We will see some unusual plants such as Myrica californica and Pickeringia montana. The loop has a 700 ft elevation change and quite a few ups and downs. Round trip is about 5 miles.
Meet at the Reliez Valley staging area (no parking or other fees) in Briones Park at 10 am. Gregg Weber will be leading this trip. If there are any questions, call him at 510-223-3310.
Directions: Take 24 east and exit at Pleasant Hill Road north in Lafayette. Go about one mile north on Pleasant Hill Road and make a left on Reliez Valley Road. Stay on Reliez Valley Road about 3-5 miles. The parking lot is on the left, shortly after Withers Avenue.
Sunday, May 18, 2 pm: Pioneer Tree Trail, Samuel Taylor State Park (on Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Marin County, near Olema)
Directions: From the East Bay, take the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge and take the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (second) exit once over the Bridge. Stay on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard nearly across the county. You enter Samuel Taylor State Park soon after passing through the town of Laganitas (and soon after you enter redwood groves). Look for the park headquarters and main picnic area on the left, after a mile or two. Enter the headquarters area (there is a parking fee that must be paid whether or not the booth is staffed). Park in a space in the Picnic Area and walk across the bridge, taking a left past the group picnic area to the group picnic area parking lot, where we will meet.
The Pioneer Tree Trail is about two miles, with several hundred feet of elevation change. There are old growth redwoods (as well as logged groves) and early redwood forest flowers. Please contact David Margolies (510-654-0283, divaricatum@aol.com) if you need further information.
Saturday, May 24, 10 am, Mount Diablo State Park, North peak trail from Devil’s Elbow to Prospectors Gap
Meet at Devils Elbow parking lot at 10 am. This trail is packed with native plants, and relatively few alien species. There may be Calochortus venustus, C. pulchellus, Chorizanthe membranacea, Hydrophyllum occidentale, Arnica discoidea, a few areas of Collinsia tinctoria, Lupinus spp, Cirsium spp, Clarkia concinna, Lomatium spp, and many more common species. There are large areas of Quercus chrysolepsis. Bring lunch and water. We should arrive back at the parking lot around 2 pm. Gray sky or light rain will not cancel. Trip leader is Gregg Weber. Call 510 223-3310 if there are questions.
Directions: take 680 to Diablo Road. Go east on Diablo Road. At Green Valley Road, only one lane goes straight ahead. After Green Valley Road, go past and do not turn at the Diablo Country Club sign. In about a mile, turn left at the Mount Diablo State Park sign. Continue to end of Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard. It becomes South Gate Road as it enters the park. Pay fee of $5 at the entrance station. Continue to Junction Ranger Station, and make a right. About 3/4 mile past Juniper Camp’s large parking area is a small parking area at Devil’s Elbow. That is where we will meet at 10 am.
Janet Gawthrop