After dreaming about this hike for a while, I finally made it deep into Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park to explore Kilkare Canyon. This 7-mile hike is a variation of the hike to Turtle Pond that inspired me. I originally planned to do that longer hike, but the temperature in Pleasanton exceeded the forecast, and I adapted the hike to maximize shade and minimize direct sun exposure. The route I did was very nice, and I was mostly successful in turning what could have been too hot of a hike into something fun. One of the features of the hike (for me) was the explosion of Mariposa lilies, which are one of my all-time favorite flowers. It was worth it for me to brave the heat to see these flowers blooming in such abundance. With that said, I think that I will make sure to repeat this hike (or a variation of it) when it's earlier in the year--and therefore cooler--next spring.
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This past week I went to Livermore's Arroyo Mocho Trail on two separate occasions. It's a paved, multi-use path through a greenbelt along the banks of the creek ("creek" is the English translation of arroyo). On Memorial Day, my daughter and I stopped there on a spur-of-the-moment hike, because as we were driving across the trail at Arroyo Rd., I saw literally hundreds of goats. Apparently, the city of Livermore contracts with a goat herder to have the herd brought for weed control and fire prevention ahead of the Livermore Rodeo (a historic rodeo held every year on the second weekend in June). We went back today to look for the goats again, but they were already gone. Nonetheless, we very much enjoyed our walk along the creek as we listened to birds singing and watched butterflies flitting among the blossoms of California buckeye.
Even though this trail at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is only 4 miles total (2 miles in and then back out again), it still felt like quite a workout because of the ~900 ft elevation gain. It was gorgeous, and much shadier than I expected. I will definitely be back here to use this as an entry way even deeper into the park, such as this hike to Turtle Pond, featured on one of my favorite websites. I only had a few hours today, so I just hiked to the top of the ridge and back on the Courdet Trail.
It's been an uncharacteristically wet/cold week for May. I decided to take advantage of the lingering spring to explore more of Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore. When I explored the Valley View Loop last Tuesday, I said that I wanted to explore the area around the Arroyo Del Valle connector trail between Del Valle park and Sycamore Grove. On this hike, I did just that!
I made a return trip to Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore, exploring more deeply into the park for this loop, just under 5 miles. It was nice to see a more rugged side of the park.
Today my daughter and I explored Livermore's Sycamore Grove Park for the first time. We hiked one mile (round trip) going from the parking lot of the Wetmore Entrance to the "Hobbit Tree" and then back again. Along the way, we went through a lovely grove of Western Sycamores (apparently one of the largest remaining stands of western sycamore riparian woodland), and then we played in a seasonal creek running through the Arroyo del Valle!
To celebrate the start of May, I went on an amazing hike at Sunol Regional Wilderness around Maguire Peaks, a distinctive set of peaks visible from Interstate-680. This 5.5-mile lollipop trail was so lovely in the spring. I saw an absolute abundance of wildflowers, especially winter vetch. The blooms looked like a river of purple rolling down the mountain here and there. It was amazing!
Guest post by Frank Dawkins:A tree that really inspired my father is in a beautiful field across from Alviso Adobe Community Park in Pleasanton. Click "read more" to read my father's narrative about the experience.
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