black diamond mines: chaparral/carbondale trails

January 29, 2012
Contra Costa County, CA
Hikers: Cathy, Laura, Noreen, Denise
Distance: 5-6 miles approx.

Black Diamond Mines is truly our favorite place to hike - never a disappointment; glad there are many more trails yet to be explored here.

We chose to do the Chaparral Loop (2.3 miles) from the book and added on an extra 3-4 miles by taking the Carbondale and River View Trail. (Looking at the park map I think the author made a mistake on labeling his route Chaparral Loop.)












End of the line.



Mt. Diablo Manzanita (Arctostaphylos auriculata);
this plant is classifed as rare.


This tree is growing out of the rock.








Manzanita roots.













The few trees on the far hill is the cemetery.

Rose Hill Cemetery







Had to check this trail out. Tried to get to the caves
we saw from the trail below.

Denise decided to wait this one out.



Awesome view from the top!
(close-up)
(close-up)






"Bessie" sitting at the edge of the trail.
Thought it would make for a great
group photo.

"Bessie" must have been camera shy; she got up and left.





Reminds me of bok choy.





Slag heap.