Black Diamond Preserve 2004

Hike route map

2009-06-05T04:53:44Z

Frank Farmer
Hike route map

Hike route profile

2009-06-05T05:01:45Z

Frank Farmer
Hike route profile

At the Black Diamond Trailhead. From left: Kane, Sheila, Jerry, Carmen, Rich, Frank, Brian, and Jean.

2009-02-21T18:43:24Z

Frank Farmer
At the Black Diamond Trailhead. From left: Kane, Sheila, Jerry, Carmen, Rich, Frank, Brian, and Jean.

Mount Diablo Coal Field - Historical Marker

2009-06-05T05:06:18Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Diablo Coal Field - Historical Marker

On St. Patrick's Day Eve, the green scenery seemed very appropriate. These hills will turn brown in a couple of months, part of the true meaning of "Golden State."

2009-07-20T02:57:54Z

Frank Farmer
On St. Patrick's Day Eve, the green scenery seemed very appropriate. These hills will turn brown in a couple of months, part of the true meaning of "Golden State."

Approaching our first "pass." There were wildflowers popping up here and there. I think the peak flower show is still a couple of weeks

2009-06-05T04:59:38Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching our first "pass." There were wildflowers popping up here and there. I think the peak flower show is still a couple of weeks

The approach to this pass reminded me a little bit of Muir Pass, on the John Muir Trail.

2009-07-20T02:27:31Z

Frank Farmer
The approach to this pass reminded me a little bit of Muir Pass, on the John Muir Trail.

Looking back the way we came

2009-07-20T02:53:46Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back the way we came

Steady grade uphill

2009-07-20T04:56:31Z

Frank Farmer
Steady grade uphill

Generations of cattle hooves have carved contour terraces in all the ridges. This is really the land of the cows. They just let us borrow the place. They keep the grass nicely trimmed, would ...

2009-06-05T05:02:59Z

Frank Farmer
Generations of cattle hooves have carved contour terraces in all the ridges. This is really the land of the cows. They just let us borrow the place. They keep the grass nicely trimmed, would ...

We could easily see the tilted beds of resistant sandstone, which formed these hills

2009-07-20T03:34:42Z

Frank Farmer
We could easily see the tilted beds of resistant sandstone, which formed these hills

At our first pass. We would complete a loop route, returning by this spot. This vista overlooks a broad, empty valley, where the small town of Stewartville once stood.

2009-07-20T02:51:56Z

Frank Farmer
At our first pass. We would complete a loop route, returning by this spot. This vista overlooks a broad, empty valley, where the small town of Stewartville once stood.

Mount Diablo peeking over a nearby ridge Monarch of the East Bay, rising to 3,849'

2009-06-05T05:08:35Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Diablo peeking over a nearby ridge Monarch of the East Bay, rising to 3,849'

Steep, fluted ridges

2009-07-20T03:37:31Z

Frank Farmer
Steep, fluted ridges

This will be our return route, closing the loop

2009-07-20T02:33:02Z

Frank Farmer
This will be our return route, closing the loop

Looking out towards the bay. Mt. St. Helena, monarch of the North Bay (4,344') is faintly visible in the distance

2009-06-05T21:25:13Z

Frank Farmer
Looking out towards the bay. Mt. St. Helena, monarch of the North Bay (4,344') is faintly visible in the distance

Looking down the valley toward Stewartville. Our route contoured left across the ridge, instead of dropping all the way to the valley below.

2009-06-05T21:46:53Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down the valley toward Stewartville. Our route contoured left across the ridge, instead of dropping all the way to the valley below.

End-on view of the sandstone edges along the steep ridge.

2009-07-20T02:56:41Z

Frank Farmer
End-on view of the sandstone edges along the steep ridge.

Rich leads the group past an abandoned mine site near Stewartville.

2009-07-20T02:49:24Z

Frank Farmer
Rich leads the group past an abandoned mine site near Stewartville.

On the valley floor, looking across the Stewartville site.

2009-07-20T05:15:22Z

Frank Farmer
On the valley floor, looking across the Stewartville site.

Looking back at a tailing pile at Stewartville mine

2009-06-05T04:50:29Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back at a tailing pile at Stewartville mine

Carmen, Rich, and Brian Rich led our trip. He is active in the California Native Plant Society, and was able to identify just about any flower or tree that we asked about.

2009-07-20T02:58:30Z

Frank Farmer
Carmen, Rich, and Brian Rich led our trip. He is active in the California Native Plant Society, and was able to identify just about any flower or tree that we asked about.

Jerry and Sheila. Having fun!

2009-07-20T02:30:24Z

Frank Farmer
Jerry and Sheila. Having fun!

Sheila and Jean. Jean spotted a pair of large raptors, which turned out to be a well-fed pair of red-tailed hawks. Eagles are also found in this area.

2009-07-20T02:13:52Z

Frank Farmer
Sheila and Jean. Jean spotted a pair of large raptors, which turned out to be a well-fed pair of red-tailed hawks. Eagles are also found in this area.

Brian and Kane. Brian and I talked a lot while hiking. Kane offered to take my picture, but I forgot to take him up on it!

2009-07-20T03:43:05Z

Frank Farmer
Brian and Kane. Brian and I talked a lot while hiking. Kane offered to take my picture, but I forgot to take him up on it!

So close to Silicon Valley, you'd expect to find solar-powered cows

2009-07-20T03:38:14Z

Frank Farmer
So close to Silicon Valley, you'd expect to find solar-powered cows

Climbing another ridge, looking across the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

2009-07-20T02:25:23Z

Frank Farmer
Climbing another ridge, looking across the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

Ascending another knoll

2009-07-20T03:39:14Z

Frank Farmer
Ascending another knoll

A bulldozed trail, down to the resistant sandstone

2009-06-05T05:10:14Z

Frank Farmer
A bulldozed trail, down to the resistant sandstone

Looking at a pair of red-tailed hawks, flying around the nearby peaks

2009-07-20T02:38:21Z

Frank Farmer
Looking at a pair of red-tailed hawks, flying around the nearby peaks

The large birds were flying around and to the left of this nearby hilltop

2009-07-20T03:59:16Z

Frank Farmer
The large birds were flying around and to the left of this nearby hilltop

Nearby ridges

2009-07-20T02:10:09Z

Frank Farmer
Nearby ridges

Panorama 1 of 3

2009-07-20T03:19:17Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama 1 of 3

Panorama 2 of 3

2009-07-20T03:15:45Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama 2 of 3

Panorama 3 of 3

2009-07-20T02:27:39Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama 3 of 3

Trailside scene, with Mount Diablo in view. It looks close, but is actually about 13 trail miles distant. There is a trail corridor linking this park and Mount Diablo State Park

2009-06-05T04:51:13Z

Frank Farmer
Trailside scene, with Mount Diablo in view. It looks close, but is actually about 13 trail miles distant. There is a trail corridor linking this park and Mount Diablo State Park

Another view of the nearby knoll. It's almost lunch time

2009-07-20T03:43:39Z

Frank Farmer
Another view of the nearby knoll. It's almost lunch time

Sheila and Jerry

2009-07-20T03:10:35Z

Frank Farmer
Sheila and Jerry

Rich takes a breather, with binoculars close at hand. He brought along a Guiness Stout, to celebrate St. Patty's Day.

2009-07-20T02:10:56Z

Frank Farmer
Rich takes a breather, with binoculars close at hand. He brought along a Guiness Stout, to celebrate St. Patty's Day.

Carmen

2009-07-20T04:37:49Z

Frank Farmer
Carmen

Kane

2009-07-20T02:49:55Z

Frank Farmer
Kane

On the trail again!

2009-07-20T02:25:40Z

Frank Farmer
On the trail again!

Looking out toward the Delta

2009-07-20T04:30:38Z

Frank Farmer
Looking out toward the Delta

Tilted sandstone beds. Coal and valuable industrial sand are trapped in these layers.

2009-06-05T04:50:03Z

Frank Farmer
Tilted sandstone beds. Coal and valuable industrial sand are trapped in these layers.

An old mineshaft! Let's check out Prospect Tunnel!

2009-06-05T04:54:32Z

Frank Farmer
An old mineshaft! Let's check out Prospect Tunnel!

Hikers or miners? My digital camera did pretty well in this low light. We're in the dark, folks!

2009-06-05T04:59:04Z

Frank Farmer
Hikers or miners? My digital camera did pretty well in this low light. We're in the dark, folks!

Baby Stalactites! Calcium carbonate?

2009-07-20T03:12:56Z

Frank Farmer
Baby Stalactites! Calcium carbonate?

Check out all the colorful layers!

2009-07-20T03:22:25Z

Frank Farmer
Check out all the colorful layers!

Most of the tunnel had a low ceiling, but we were able to stand up tall in this part

2009-07-20T03:51:44Z

Frank Farmer
Most of the tunnel had a low ceiling, but we were able to stand up tall in this part

Oh no ... the gate closed behind us ... we're trapped!

2009-07-20T04:17:56Z

Frank Farmer
Oh no ... the gate closed behind us ... we're trapped!

Not really ... this way to the exit

2009-07-20T02:36:30Z

Frank Farmer
Not really ... this way to the exit

Looking out the tunnel opening. A nice, well-framed picture of our group!

2009-07-20T02:54:07Z

Frank Farmer
Looking out the tunnel opening. A nice, well-framed picture of our group!

Another view of the tunnel opening. This shot is with my digital camera. The first was with the 35mm. Both are Olympus cameras.

2009-07-20T02:31:39Z

Frank Farmer
Another view of the tunnel opening. This shot is with my digital camera. The first was with the 35mm. Both are Olympus cameras.

Heading up another ridge, as we complete our loop

2009-07-20T04:26:14Z

Frank Farmer
Heading up another ridge, as we complete our loop

Another view of the Delta

2009-07-20T03:57:55Z

Frank Farmer
Another view of the Delta

The hills were dotted with digger pines and oaks. Non-native locust trees were found in the valley floors. I was fascinated by the geometry of the folds coming off this nearby ridge.

2009-07-20T02:12:21Z

Frank Farmer
The hills were dotted with digger pines and oaks. Non-native locust trees were found in the valley floors. I was fascinated by the geometry of the folds coming off this nearby ridge.

A close up of the beveled appearance of the nearby ridge.

2009-07-20T02:50:44Z

Frank Farmer
A close up of the beveled appearance of the nearby ridge.

Nearby hills and valleys

2009-07-20T04:42:23Z

Frank Farmer
Nearby hills and valleys

This nearby ridge had a steep, fin-like appearance

2009-07-20T04:07:43Z

Frank Farmer
This nearby ridge had a steep, fin-like appearance

Looking out toward Antioch. Just beyond the town is Sherman Island, and the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Wind mill electric generators are visible in the distance at ...

2009-07-20T03:57:11Z

Frank Farmer
Looking out toward Antioch. Just beyond the town is Sherman Island, and the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Wind mill electric generators are visible in the distance at ...

Another view of Antioch and Sherman Island, across the San Joaquin RIver. Also in view is the Hwy 160 bridge, offering a spectacular tour of the Delta. This route to Sacramento is fine if yo ...

2009-07-20T02:54:12Z

Frank Farmer
Another view of Antioch and Sherman Island, across the San Joaquin RIver. Also in view is the Hwy 160 bridge, offering a spectacular tour of the Delta. This route to Sacramento is fine if yo ...

Delta vista. The Delta is like no other part of California. It is a world unto itself.

2009-07-20T03:04:04Z

Frank Farmer
Delta vista. The Delta is like no other part of California. It is a world unto itself.

Leaving this valley and climbing another ridge

2009-06-05T04:57:50Z

Frank Farmer
Leaving this valley and climbing another ridge

Looking across Suisun Bay, toward Fairfield and Napa

2009-06-05T05:06:54Z

Frank Farmer
Looking across Suisun Bay, toward Fairfield and Napa

A contrasting shot of the same vista. This one used the digital camera, while the previous one was with the 35mm.

2009-06-05T05:06:55Z

Frank Farmer
A contrasting shot of the same vista. This one used the digital camera, while the previous one was with the 35mm.

Contouring down to "Muir Pass." Our route back to the trailhead led off to the right.

2009-07-20T03:58:30Z

Frank Farmer
Contouring down to "Muir Pass." Our route back to the trailhead led off to the right.

A close up of the sandstone bed, using my hiking pole for scale.

2009-07-20T02:56:49Z

Frank Farmer
A close up of the sandstone bed, using my hiking pole for scale.

In the Greathouse Visitor Center. A huge tunnel, excavated during the 1920s. It contains a museum, with numerous artifacts from the old mines and towns.

2009-07-20T04:21:32Z

Frank Farmer
In the Greathouse Visitor Center. A huge tunnel, excavated during the 1920s. It contains a museum, with numerous artifacts from the old mines and towns.

Greathouse Visitor Center

2009-07-20T03:51:50Z

Frank Farmer
Greathouse Visitor Center

At the end of a terrific hike! From left: Frank, Brian, Sheila, Jerry, Carmen, Rich, Jean, and Kane. The Greathouse Visitor Center entrance is at the left.

2009-07-20T03:01:27Z

Frank Farmer
At the end of a terrific hike! From left: Frank, Brian, Sheila, Jerry, Carmen, Rich, Jean, and Kane. The Greathouse Visitor Center entrance is at the left.