Posted on 09/21/2017 1:55:06 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
I was hiking in the Diablo Range near San Jose, CA yesterday and had the good fortune to be there when a storm front was moving in. This is the Joseph D. Grant County Park on the Dutch Flat trail (2,457 feet) looking into the Hall Valley. That's Mount Hamilton (4,360 feet) on the other side. The Lick Observatory is located on top of the biggest peaks and is the world's first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory. It was constructed between 1876 and 1887. The Mt. Hamilton Road was cut and everything was hauled up on mule-drawn wagons.
The late summer California hills and storm clouds were amazing. Here are a few shots from the hike you might enjoy.
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It’s all still switchbacks. Amazing to think that was graded by hand and horse-drawn scrapers.
Awesome, love the fence one. I could write a book about that one. Thanks for sharing
Great pictures. I considered buying an Olympus OM-D EM-1, but wound up getting a Panasonic GH-4.
Last time I did the big loop (30 years ago!), I came across an amorous couple off in the trees making lots of passionate noises. It was nice of them to leave several cans of their six-pack of beer on the picnic table. I was tempted, but left them the remaining cans.
Have you ever hiked Pescadero Creek County Park?
Did you see the sun shining down on downtown SJ yesterday around 6:30 PM? I spotted it coming down Mt. Hamilton at the Grandview Restaurant. It was just amazing. I stopped and shot a quick pic on my iPhone, but I regret not pulling out the Olympus and tripod for that view. The beams / rays of light shining on downtown SJ were incredible.
I saw it in the distance.
Ping
I’ve never climbed Mission Peak. It’s been a long-time goal / dream of mine to hike from Ohlone College over Mission Peak, down the east side to the Sunol Regional Wilderness and over to Lake Del Valle in Livermore. It’s 30 miles and pretty strenuous, so would probably take me three days. It’s amazing that you can go that distance through some very wild country almost in the heart of Silicon Valley.
I really enjoy hiking at Sunol Wilderness behind Mission Peak. In the spring on wet years, Alameda Creek is an absolute torrent. Last spring, it was gorgeous and really flooding. I got caught in a big hailstorm there last March.
LOL...being named “Diablo,” I’ll probably just run into a bunch of DREAMER kids.
Back in the day me and my hiking buddy walked smith creek/arroyo Hondo from Kincaid road down to Calavaras reservoir, three days. The terrain back in the canyon is amazing and unexpected.
We also did a bunch of fishing in that lake too, one need just work harder than they are willing to work to catch you. *grins*
In the mid 80’s there was a pair of Bald Eagles that wintered at Calavaras, beautiful.
Nice pictures, thanx.
No, I’ve actually never stopped at Pescadero Creek, Sam McDonald, Memorial, or Portola Redwoods Parks. Seems like my destinations are either the coast, Pescadero (Duartes) or Butano.
My wife and I like hiking along the coastal trail from the Ritz Carlton south of Half Moon Bay up to Princeton. We often hike from Venice Beach or Roosevelt Beach (north of HMB) to Princeton for lunch at Seville or Mezza Luna, then hike back. It’s a flat six miles round trip, but what views and super food at the end! Get the tapas, some sangria, and sit on the patio at Seville! Try the Moroccan Beef Empanadillas. Wonderful!
Mines Road is incredible...all high plateau ranch land. When my son was learning how to drive, his first mountain driving experience with me was going up Mt. Hamilton Road to the observatory, then taking Mines Road over to Livermore. That must have been a real blast on your bike!
Another good ride is Corral Hollow Road from Tracey to Livermore (where it changes to Tesla Road).
Mezza Luna? Pffft!!! ..../S
Barbara’s Fish Trap or Miramar.....
I didn't know about Arroyo Hondo. It's apparently a prized kayaking stream around here!
"Arroyo Hondo creates the deepest gorge in the bay area, a land feature that is dramatically visible from airplanes. Like many Arroyos, this one also has access problems. The put-in is along a remote road on the east side of Mt. Hamilton and currently uncontested, although parking is sparse. The take-out is on Calaveras reservoir, where boating is officially forbidden.The county maintains a dirt road that crosses this creek near the gauge that measures Arroyo Hondo flows (AHD), but the road is gated far away from the river, and the climb out of the canyon makes it an unattractive take-out.
The original AWA California river inventory claimed that this run is 8 miles long, but it is actually about twice that. Reports also said it contains class V drops with some tough portages and a high (perhaps 60') waterfall that fortunately has an easy carry."
The Little Yosemite Canyon at Sunol is pretty impressive, too (but not at all like its namesake).
LOL...what?? No Half Moon Bay Brewing Company?
When I want better beer, sure
We walked that canyon in late August...no boating then.
Actually the thought of running a kayak thru that canyon is laughable.
Perhaps we have locations mixed up.
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