Mount Diablo three-peaks loop

It’s peak wildflower season in the Bay Area and I wanted a hike with lots of views and lots of blooms. A loop over three peaks around Mount Diablo promised a little challenge, some big views, and tons of wildflowers, so I decided on that.

Elizabeth and I got to the trailhead at the Juniper Campground at [...]

Hiking in huarache running sandals on Mount Diablo

Elizabeth and I started today’s hike at 9:15 from Borges Ranch. She was wearing her usual trail runners, but she was also carrying a pair of huarache running sandals in her backpack. She asked for them for her birthday and had taken them on short runs around town and loved how light and simple they [...]

Cataract Falls loop hike from Rock Spring

Elizabeth and I pulled into Mount Tamalpais‘s Rock Spring trailhead at 9 in the morning. There were no other cars there yet, just cyclists taking breaks after early morning rides up the mountain.

We got out, crossed the road, and hiked up a minor hill for a view. It was about 50 degrees and the sky above [...]

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve hike

Today was both our first time hiking with the Loma Prieta Sierra Club’s Day Hiking Section and our first visit to Windy Hill Open Space Preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

To be honest, I might not have visited Windy Hill if not for this trip. It’s a one-hour drive to get there, and it’s small—at 1,312 [...]