Photographs
These galleries contain all the pictures from a hike, in order, so you'll be able to follow the trail from start to finish. (Out and back hikes usually contain just one direction.)
Below the images is a photo map. All the images are geo tagged, so you can see where they were taken and have a better idea about what kind of trail to expect.
When you see this 
on a map, click on it to see the image taken at that location.
To view all the galleries, click here.
The slideshows below start automatically. Clicking on an image will take you to that image. You can alter the speed by clicking on the Slow|Med|Fast buttons above the thumbnails, or scroll the thumbnails to select an image. If you don't see the image galleries, you need the flash player, available here.
“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity... and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.”
― William Blake
Tassajara Creek Hike - Mt. Diablo
Monday, May 30, 2011 at 5:45PM This hike explored a remote but beautiful part of Mt. Diablo State Park, and we mostly followed the hike suggested by the East Bay Trail Dogs. Here is some background from their website:
The Tassajara Creek Trail is located in the southeast portion of Mount Diablo State Park (MDSP), between Highland Ridge Road and Riggs Canyon Road. The original 1.25 mile section of the trail, which largely runs parallel to the Tassajara Creek, was build by the East Bay Trail Dogs in 2003. At that time the property (known as the “Silva property”) was owned by Save Mount Diablo, but was later transferred to MDSP. This original section of the Tassajara Creek Trail has also been referred to as the “Trillium Trail” due to the abundance of Trillium plants growing alongside the trail.
In 2009, at the request of MDSP, the East Bay Trail Dogs built a 0.75 mile extension of the Tassajara Creek Trail to bypass most of the (now-abandoned) Bob’s Pond Fire Road. A picnic table, also built by the East Bay Trail Dogs, is located where the original and new sections of the trail meet, overlooking Bob’s Pond.
We fought a battle with ticks, especially on the lightly travelled Jeremiah Creek Trail. Due to the remoteness, I would suggest hiking this route with others rather than going solo. There is quite a bit of diversity here. You'll see some nice canopies on the Tassajara Creek Trail, and some exposed and open fire road trails on Morgan Creek Road, Highland Ridge Road, and Morgan Ridge Road. Don't forget to pack a lunch and sit at the picnic table overlooking Bob's Pond.
Below is a slideshow of the hike. To see these images on a map, click here.
Location: Mt. Diablo State Park (This area is actually run by East Bay Regional Parks)
Trails Featured: Morgan Creek Road, Jeremiah Creek Trail, Highland Ridge Road, Tassajara Creek Trail, Morgan Creek Road.
Slideshow:
Photo Map:
Shell Ridge Open Space
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 11:29AM These images are from a recent hike at Shell Ridge Open Space in Walnut Creek. This is a well travelled location, and you'll probably see a lot of hiking clubs, trail runners, dog walkers and bikers. There is a small parking area at the end of Sutherland Drive. There were no maps at the trail head, but you can print one off here.
Trails Featured: Fossil Hill Trail, Briones Mt. Diablo Trail, and Ridge Top Trail.
Slideshow:
Photo Map:
San Pablo Reservoir - Old San Pablo Trail
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 3:16PM This trail is along the edge of the San Pablo Reservoir, and starts at the Orinda Connector Staging Area.
Location: San Pablo Reservoir (EB Mud)
Trails Taken: Orsan Trail, Old San Pablo Trail