Stream View-Grey Fox Loop at Bishop Ranch

Today I took the 2.8 mile Stream View-Grey Fox loop through Bishop Ranch Regional Park. This short loop packs a lot of punch: it moves through riparian woodland, grassy oak-covered hills, and exposed ridge tops with excellent views of the mountains of the Tri-Valley. 

I started at the main entrance on Morgan Drive and took the single-track Stream View Trail that veers to the right immediately after the cattle gate.  My daughter and I went here several times in late spring, and the difference that the seasons make is so striking: with the stream all dried up, the landscape is considerably less lush. But it was still very beautiful. When the single-track trail intersects with a fire road, we turned right to stay on the Stream Trail.

Here, the forest opened up to grassy rolling hillsides with oaks. When the Stream Trail turned to the left and started heading steeply uphill, the oaks thinned out. At the crest of the ridge, there were no more oaks but expansive views of Las Trampas, Mount Diablo, and Morgan Territory. I turned to the left onto Redtail Hawk Trail and then left again onto Grey Fox Trail. I opted to make a "lollipop" instead of a true loop by rejoining the Stream Trail. This was to take a gentler approach downhill and to extend the hill a little longer. 

I liked this route a lot, and I think that it would great to do this again in the spring when the wildflowers are out in abundance. Even at this late time of year, I still saw summer lupine (Lupinus formosus, link). I saw these even into late September at another part of the park last year, and around the same time at nearby Las Trampas too. I bet that the wildflowers are really impressive in the spring! An idea to save for another time.