San Ramon, CA
Hikers: Cathy, Laura
Distance: 9.5 miles
Elevation gain: 2,820 ft. (average between three readings)
The last time we did this hike was in 2011, four months into our hiking adventures; we were expecting to do only a three hour hike, took a wrong turn, and ended up hiking for six and half hours! We ran out of both food and water, and even had thoughts of calling for assistance.
We decided to give it another try - slightly altered and better prepared this round!! We still will consider this a hilly hike form hell - in a good way. I so did not remember how intense the climbs were. Las Trampas lives up to its Spanish meaning of "the traps"!
Oops! We did it again... Wrong trail, turned around.
Beautiful Mt. Diablo.
Snack break. The view (Mt. D again) from our bench. :)
Yikes! Mini landslide.
Last time we visited, we saw a few cool, water snakes.
Saplings growing on a downed tree.
Carcass of some sort.
Bone fragments..
Eugene O'Neill's Tao House
See my Thanksgiving post for our visit to the Tao House.
Perfect lunch spot!
Laura picked up a couple of adornments for her poles. :)
Woodrat's nest.
The metal cutout sign reads: No camping or fires.
A new bridge! Built right over the much smaller old one.
(Looks like an elephant..)
Trails:
Bollinger Creek Loop, Las Trampas Ridge, Madrone, Virgil Williams, Del Amigo, Sulphur Springs, Trapline, Mahogany, Chamise.
Cathleen, your thinking is much more exciting than mine! I have struggled to find a hiking place and partner for a few years now. I've had a bit of success but never all I want! I told you my daughter-in-law and I have done urban hiking but on Wednesday I am going to expand on that. I plan to go out early and alone. I am mapping out a route in the 10 mile range. Wish me luck! Also, I would be honored if you would head over to my blog and read my final French Friday post. Its very personal and about my mother and nothing like my usual posts. I want to share it with you, my virtual hiking buddy:) Take care!
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