East side story

Somebody asked me recently why do I hike?  the short answer is it is a good release from the stress of work and home and all the tumultuous happening that weigh down upon me.  A trip to to the hiking trail is a walk back to sanity where I focus on just one thing, the trail itself.  Good thing I can still focus because I need every bit of it at Saturday's East Side Loop hike at the Las Trampas Wilderness.

I had planned on this hike a couple of weeks ago but a police roadblock on the only way road in to the staging area turned me around.  With August temperatures expected to tip the 105 degree mark I packed 5 liters of water and set off for San Ramon where I would hike a sunbaked section of the park's eastern expanse.  This wasn't going to be an easy hike by any means.

I saw the trail described in my hiking book as one of the most challenging hikes in the Tri-Valley area.  They weren't kidding.  It was hot on the trail but even a cool day would have been a challenge on the course I had laid out.  I was on a what was supposed to be a short 7-mile hike climbing my way up and down canyons and ridge lines but came out at almost 9 miles as the confusing trail markers had me carving a crazy path on the rugged trail.

I joked on some parts of the trail I liked it so much I did it twice.  Truth be told I got turned around on the trail.  Las Trampas doesn't feature the clearly posted trail markers of Mount Diablo State Park.  These vague markers didn't even seem to match my map and often I came upon unsigned trail junctures.  I would have been totally lost with out my iPhone and trusty Motion X GPS  realtime mapping.  I was able to guide my way past a few wrong turns comparing the GPS map to the printed map at the trail intersections to find the right course for the loop.

If the weather was hot the climb didn't help matters on the trail much. My GPS charted a climb of almost 2,700 feet second only to a Diablo summit hike.  Climbing over boulders, slipping on slick gravel and dodging the  poison oak made for an exciting time.  Between the heat the climb and the rugged features of the trail I was on a slow pace around the loop.  It took me over 5 hours to complete just 9 miles.  I was on the verge of not feeling well and I had to take a break to regroup and rest for the final push home.

It was definately one of the hardest hikes I have done to date.  Trail conditions in any weather call for an experienced hiker to pay attention and test his skills and endurance.  The climbing zaps your strength and an new hill to climb at every turn saps your will too.  I don't think I will be returning to this neck of the wilderness any time soon.  it just might be time for some cooler hikes along the coast soon.  But still it is good to know that I can tackle the tougher trails without too much trouble.

Off the wall

I was expecting a hot time on the trail Sunday but I was pleasantly surprised.  Mild temperatures, fog and cool breeze greeted Alice and I as we trekked Mount Diablo's Pine Canyon along the Wall Point Trail Loop.

Our hike kicked off from Macedo Ranch near the southern Base of Mount Diablo.  We would climb the Canyon Ridge along Wall Point Trail and make the loop coming back along BBQ Terrace Road.  it is just under 8 miles with a climb of just over 2,00 feet.

I had prepared for a hot hike under a blazing August sun but our start was shrouded in blowing fog drifting across the trail.  Making our way up the ridge cows grazed in the cool morning as the sun dipped in and out of sight.  The day seemed more like a late April or early May hike than the first week of August.  We weren't complaining much, we knew the afternoon sun would burn off our fog cover eventually and leave us sweltering on the exposed trail.

The hike is mostly on wide fire roads that see few hikers.  Our only company was the occasional mountain biker who would rush past us on downhill in the road.  For the most part we were alone crossing the ridge along the canyon.  After a steep climb up a grassy hill we reached our turn and headed back down the canyon.  Midway into our descent a young deer leaped on the trail in front of us.    He glanced at the two of us and then raced up the hill to  stand of trees.  Like the good photographer I'm not I didn't have my camera ready to capture his leap as he scampered over the trail but it was beautiful sight to be behold.

The sun came out for our return leg but a steady breeze kept our hike pleasant as we walked the sandy trail.  A few birds joined us for the trek back but we mostly enjoyed the quiet and sun filtering through the trees,

Our last mile or so we began to feel the heat radiating from the trail but still it was one of the most mild Mount Diablo summer hikes we have made.  I'm sure I won't luck out with such cool temperatures the next time I tackle the ridge but the day was one to remember.  Good company, beautiful views and fun walk along the entrance to Diablo's trails.  Couldn't have asked for a better day on the trail.

August sky

A storm system rolled across the Central Valley bringing a chance of thunderstorms to mountains later tonight.

Although the storm clouds didn't bring any rain tot he valley a rumble or two echoed through town as the ominous clouds passed overhead. I managed to capture these clouds with my iPhone from my parent's front yard.

Back in front of the camera

John Harvey preparing for the Fresno Relays at Fresno State in 1986.
 Glenn Moore/Daily Collegian

What are the chances I would be on assignment photographing the same person with a 26-year wait between shoots? I was on assignment to photograph the Tracy Cougars John Harvey on a story about football and concussions and after I was done with the pictures he asked me if attended Fresno State in 1986? I said I did and he told me that he had a picture, framed no less, that I took of him when he was attending a Fresno area high school. 

John Harvey on July 31, 2012 talking about concussion safety for the Tracy Cougars.
 Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

He had been at the university preparing for the Fresno Relays track meet and I took a photo of him running the hurdles. 26 years ago, so many pictures and people since then but I find myself taking Harvey’s photo again for a paper. What are the chances! 

An early byline