Rockville Hills Regional Park - Two for One!

December 31, 2013 / January 1, 2014
Fairfield, CA
Hikers: Cathy, Andy / Cathy, Laura, Noreen
Distance: 4.34 miles /4.36 miles
Elevation Gain: 804 ft. / 948 ft.




I visited Rockville twice in as many days. The first being a "date day" with the hubby, then came back the next day with the girls (a bit different route).


Day one:

Oh shit. Now to get back down. Not fun (for me).

Looks more like a pond than a lake. This has been the driest year ever for California. A little scary.

Hey, good lookin'..

That is Mr. Tilley, at the end of the walkway. He is one of the original founders of the park. It was such a pleasure to speak with him.

RATS is a mountain biking group. There was a cupboard filled with extra bike parts if needed.

Can they build houses any closer together?

This quaint deli was in the process of closing early for New Year's Eve - they were gracious enough to make us sandwiches before closing the doors. :)

 Trails:

Lower Quarry, Cave, Rock Garden, Pond Pass, Tilley Connection, Lower Tilley, Upper Tilley, Rockville

Day two:

Gotta kick out of the name "Unknown".

Hmmm.. what's that?

I chose to stay at the bottom this time..

The Vortex.

Strange things happened here. Noreen's phone gps went crazy in this spot. When I went to take a picture, my camera screen had brought up a "scope" that was twirling around. Dodododoo..

Yep. That's our trail - Cascade Trail.

At the top we met some bikers planning a trip down this. Yikes.

They sent the youngest down first. At least he was wearing a full-face helmet. He flew down - and made it safely, I'm happy to report. :)

This guy was a bit more apprehensive.

Diablo. :)

No change from yesterday. Ha ha ha.

Cool bench.

The Devil's Backbone.

Trails:

Lower Quarry, Cave, (Vortex), Unknown, Unknown Meadow, Sunset Cave, Fern Falls, Cascade, Jockey Junction, (The Wall), Mystic Ridge, Bay Area Ridge, Pond Pass, Wild Turkey, Devils Backbone

Rockville Hills Regional Park

There is a permit fee of three dollars per person. Permits are located at the entrance. Cash and credit cards accepted.

Shell Ridge Open Space

December 22, 2013
Walnut Creek, CA
Hikers: Cathy, Laura
Distance: 6.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,427 ft.

Notice the pretty piece of shell sticking out in the middle.

Shells everywhere! Hence the name Shell Ridge.

Here we go..

Coming back down. The trail got to be a bit precarious. We'll take the trail that was to the left..

We could really use some rain, not just in general, but to wash away all this ugly smog!

So nasty.

This view makes you feel like you are in a foreign land.

Almond tree.

Laura tried an almond; she said at first it was quite bitter, then it had a strong, fresh almond flavor.

So very young.

I remember hearing about their passing.

 

 Trails:

Fossil Hill, Kovar, Summit Ridge, Indian Creek, Briones to Mt. Diablo, Corral Springs, and Ridge Top, plus a few unnamed..

Shell Ridge Open Space

Briones: We need rain..

December 15, 2013
Martinez, CA
Hikers: Cathy, Laura, Noreen, Denise
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation gain: 1,033 ft.

Oh.. the ponds are drying up. :(

Poor little guy. He wasn't looking to healthy.

M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E

Second pond - bone dry. 

Trails:

Alhambra Creek, Spengler, Two unnamed trails.

Briones Regional Park