Las Trampas Ridge trail - 4.75 miles, 950 kcal, 1785 ft elevation, 2:10 hrs

Not having hiked the last couple of weeks, even this moderate hike seemed to strain our abilities. Need to get back to a regular schedule.

Route: Bollinger Creek trail- Las Trampas Ridge trail and back
Time: 2.10 hr  
Difficulty: 4.5/10

Martins Canyon CreekTrail , 5.6 Miles, 2.15 hr, 600 K cal

Route: Martins Canyon Creek trail and back
Time: 2.15 hr  
Difficulty: 4.5/10

Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, Old Finley Road Trail, 6.72 mi, 2 hrs 45 min

Old Finley Road Trail, 6.72 mi, 1600 ft elevation, 1400 Kcal, 2 hr 45 min

Time -2.45

Difficulty -4/10

This was a very relaxed hike, We came across deer, turkeys and llamas while driving to the hike, which set us in a good mood for the hike. The weather was very pleasant, with fog still hugging the hill tops. 

We set a quick pace with a goal to return back before the sun became too harsh. It was an unventful hike and we turned back less than a half mile from the other end of the park on Morgan Territory Road with the promise to do it another day. The trail seems to have been recently tended to and allowed us to take fewer breaks.

Las Trampas Regional Preserve, 4.9 mi, 1100kcal, 3 hrs

Las Trampas, Las trampas trail, 1930 ft elevation, 1100 Kcal, 4.90 mi, 3 hr 

Time -3 hrs 

Difficulty - 5/10

This was a route we had done previously and had always managed to lose our way. This time, we were able navigate the loop successfully. The trails were super dry and navigating some of the steeper downhill portion was especially tricky due to loose rocks and dust. Went through a couple of canyons, so involved alternate uphill and downhill sections through the entire route.  We had two new members join us for the hike. Not sure if they will return:)

Wright Peak Summit Trail (4,300 ft), Clearlake, 7.0 Miles, Elevation 1650 ft, 1800 Kcal, Time 3.30 hr

Even though it was Memorial wekend, we didn't give up on our weekly hike. We stayed at a vacation home on the shores of Clear Lake, thirty miles north of Napa, with a large group of friends . Right across the lake was Mt. Konocti with Wright Peak at 4300 ft.  A few of us decided to go summit the peak. The drive to starting point of the trail took us through vineyards and beautiful green hills. But the last part of the drive to the starting point involved driving along a dirt and gravel road for over 2.5 miles to a height of 2000 ft.
There was absolutely no traffic or a single person on our way to the start of the trail. The start of the trail took us through a private walnut orchard. The initial 2 miles of the hike involved a steep climb. There was dense fog below us and we could not see the lake on our way to the summit. But fortunately, by the time we reached the summit, the fog had burnt off and left us with stunning views of the lake and vineyards surrounding it.. It made the strenuous hike up worth it. Along the way we took a small diversion to visit the cabin of Mrs. Downen who in the early 1903 lived alone in an apple orchard close to the summit. We also came wreckage of a plane that had crashed close to summit in 1970 killing a couple. The trail was well maintained with signboards having interesting factoids.

With this hike we crossed 100 miles so far. YAY!!!

Time: 3.30 hours
Difficulty: 6/10

The woman's house built in 1900

A small plane crashed in 1970

Observatory deck at the summit

Round Valley Regional Preserve - Miwok Trail and Hardy Canyon Trail loop, Brentwood, 5 Miles, 800 Kcal

Round Valley Regional Preserve - Miwok Trail and Hardy Canyon Trail loop, Brentwood

The plan was to combine a hike with cherry picking. So we decided to go on a relatively mild hike  and then attack the fruit tress for a post hike snack.. The park was more beautiful than we expected and the return section of the loop a little more steeper than expected. It was cold and windy when we started but gradually warmed up by the time we returned.

The cherry picking part of the trip was disappointing. It was crowded and additionally the fruit yield was pretty poor. So we ate what we could there and brought some plums home.


Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: 4/10