East Bay Labyrinth 2005

Trip map. Sibley Volcanic Preserve is the lower route shown, and Tilden Park is the upper route. Thanks to Rich, as always, for setting this up.

2009-02-21T18:59:06Z

Frank Farmer
Trip map. Sibley Volcanic Preserve is the lower route shown, and Tilden Park is the upper route. Thanks to Rich, as always, for setting this up.

Group photo before the hike -- At the pavilion at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. From left: Rich, Bonnie, Kris, Frank. Photo taken by a mystery photographer.

2009-06-05T04:32:56Z

Frank Farmer
Group photo before the hike -- At the pavilion at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. From left: Rich, Bonnie, Kris, Frank. Photo taken by a mystery photographer.

Lots of colors in the plant life -- We're making our way around Round Top. No, not the Round Top near Carson Pass. This one is above Oakland and Berkeley. It is very overcast and we can't se ...

2009-06-05T04:29:06Z

Frank Farmer
Lots of colors in the plant life -- We're making our way around Round Top. No, not the Round Top near Carson Pass. This one is above Oakland and Berkeley. It is very overcast and we can't se ...

Rich -- It's always a great hike with Rich

2009-06-05T21:44:19Z

Frank Farmer
Rich -- It's always a great hike with Rich

Bonnie and Rich checking out the ridge top emerging out of the clouds

2009-06-05T21:44:46Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie and Rich checking out the ridge top emerging out of the clouds

Eucalyptus, coyote brush, blackberries, and a bit of poison oak -- A mix of native and introduced species. This area barely escaped the tragic Oakland Hills Fire of 1991.

2009-06-05T21:45:38Z

Frank Farmer
Eucalyptus, coyote brush, blackberries, and a bit of poison oak -- A mix of native and introduced species. This area barely escaped the tragic Oakland Hills Fire of 1991.

Ridge top panorama

2009-02-21T18:59:03Z

Frank Farmer
Ridge top panorama

We started hiking down the ridge -- Then we realized it wasn't taking us where we wanted to go, the Sibley Volcano Caldera.

2009-06-05T04:41:15Z

Frank Farmer
We started hiking down the ridge -- Then we realized it wasn't taking us where we wanted to go, the Sibley Volcano Caldera.

It's hard to think of these rolling hills as volcanic -- However, when you see the rocks underlying the vegetation, you can see that they are basalt and other related material.

2009-06-05T04:39:27Z

Frank Farmer
It's hard to think of these rolling hills as volcanic -- However, when you see the rocks underlying the vegetation, you can see that they are basalt and other related material.

We're about 1700 feet above sea level -- This is the ridge that backs up behind Oakland and Berkeley. This view is looking east toward Walnut Creek and Mount Diablo, somewhere out in the clo ...

2009-06-05T04:40:45Z

Frank Farmer
We're about 1700 feet above sea level -- This is the ridge that backs up behind Oakland and Berkeley. This view is looking east toward Walnut Creek and Mount Diablo, somewhere out in the clo ...

We're just cruising along.

2009-06-05T04:26:03Z

Frank Farmer
We're just cruising along.

We're just cruising along.

2009-06-05T04:21:06Z

Frank Farmer
We're just cruising along.

This next step is a doozy.

2009-06-05T04:37:16Z

Frank Farmer
This next step is a doozy.

Wow! What's that down there? Evidence of a bizarre and (possibly) intelligent civilization?

2009-06-05T21:42:41Z

Frank Farmer
Wow! What's that down there? Evidence of a bizarre and (possibly) intelligent civilization?

We're looking across the Sibley Volcanic Caldera -- Tons of basalt were excavated from here, building streets all over the Bay Area, no doubt. This made it nice for the geologists, because t ...

2009-02-21T18:56:43Z

Frank Farmer
We're looking across the Sibley Volcanic Caldera -- Tons of basalt were excavated from here, building streets all over the Bay Area, no doubt. This made it nice for the geologists, because t ...

Vertical panorama -- Tying together the high peak and the labyrinth at the bottom of the caldera.

2009-06-05T04:32:41Z

Frank Farmer
Vertical panorama -- Tying together the high peak and the labyrinth at the bottom of the caldera.

Hiking down to the bottom.

2009-06-05T04:28:14Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking down to the bottom.

This trail went down through a bunch of old cinders, kind of a deep coarse sandy material

2009-06-05T04:36:20Z

Frank Farmer
This trail went down through a bunch of old cinders, kind of a deep coarse sandy material

At the center of the labyrinth. Naturally, we hiked all the way around the maze pattern -- All sorts of offerings have been left here. We left some of our own.

2009-06-05T04:29:47Z

Frank Farmer
At the center of the labyrinth. Naturally, we hiked all the way around the maze pattern -- All sorts of offerings have been left here. We left some of our own.

Bonnie looks for another labyrinth. She saw it from above.

2009-02-21T18:56:21Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie looks for another labyrinth. She saw it from above.

It's over by that tree, on the little shelf

2009-06-05T04:24:01Z

Frank Farmer
It's over by that tree, on the little shelf

Rich looks up the talus slope, while Bonnie heads for the other labyrinth

2009-06-05T21:35:57Z

Frank Farmer
Rich looks up the talus slope, while Bonnie heads for the other labyrinth

I'll head up and take a look

2009-06-05T04:34:03Z

Frank Farmer
I'll head up and take a look

Looking back to labyrinth #1, as I head up to #2

2009-06-05T21:35:44Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back to labyrinth #1, as I head up to #2

Another view of Labyrinth #1

2009-06-05T21:46:11Z

Frank Farmer
Another view of Labyrinth #1

Some of the basalt was pretty solid looking

2009-06-05T04:24:41Z

Frank Farmer
Some of the basalt was pretty solid looking

Bonnie checking out Labyrinth #2

2009-06-05T04:32:21Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie checking out Labyrinth #2

Looking up to the cliff overlook. The communication towers are on the summit of Round Top

2009-06-05T04:25:23Z

Frank Farmer
Looking up to the cliff overlook. The communication towers are on the summit of Round Top

Round Top emerging from the clouds -- These things are ugly, but do they carry our voice and data traffic!

2009-06-05T04:34:32Z

Frank Farmer
Round Top emerging from the clouds -- These things are ugly, but do they carry our voice and data traffic!

Another look at the tree, as we leave the caldera

2009-06-05T04:40:58Z

Frank Farmer
Another look at the tree, as we leave the caldera

Some type of cast iron drain pipe. I'm standing at the edge of a pretty steep little drop off

2009-06-05T04:29:17Z

Frank Farmer
Some type of cast iron drain pipe. I'm standing at the edge of a pretty steep little drop off

Looking back at the caldera -- We felt pretty safe. This thing last erupted about 10,000,000 years ago, so we're told.

2009-06-05T04:33:49Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back at the caldera -- We felt pretty safe. This thing last erupted about 10,000,000 years ago, so we're told.

The clouds made it seem darker every now and then.

2009-06-05T04:16:19Z

Frank Farmer
The clouds made it seem darker every now and then.

Bonnie and Rich at the overlook

2009-06-05T04:34:44Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie and Rich at the overlook

Comm towers on the summit of Round Top -- The summit is private property and closed to visitors.

2009-06-05T04:30:13Z

Frank Farmer
Comm towers on the summit of Round Top -- The summit is private property and closed to visitors.

A sunnier panorama -- We hiked over to Labyrinth #3, and saw this view on the way

2009-06-05T04:35:12Z

Frank Farmer
A sunnier panorama -- We hiked over to Labyrinth #3, and saw this view on the way

Looking down on an old quarry. It's kind of funny. This was formerly a blue-collar, industrial mining area. Now it's a ritzy high rent area, in communities such as Orinda. You can't touch a ...

2009-06-05T04:37:27Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down on an old quarry. It's kind of funny. This was formerly a blue-collar, industrial mining area. Now it's a ritzy high rent area, in communities such as Orinda. You can't touch a ...

Looking out to Diablo Valley -- Lots of suburbia out there.

2009-06-05T04:35:33Z

Frank Farmer
Looking out to Diablo Valley -- Lots of suburbia out there.

Heading for another caldera ... and another labyrinth!

2009-06-05T04:39:50Z

Frank Farmer
Heading for another caldera ... and another labyrinth!

Yup, that's a labyrinth, all right. Better check it out.

2009-06-05T04:24:09Z

Frank Farmer
Yup, that's a labyrinth, all right. Better check it out.

Check out the basalt up there!

2009-06-05T21:39:38Z

Frank Farmer
Check out the basalt up there!

Characteristic offering area at the center. We saw a stamped penny from a restaurant in Boston, MA. Lots of colored glass. A half dollar

2009-06-05T04:31:52Z

Frank Farmer
Characteristic offering area at the center. We saw a stamped penny from a restaurant in Boston, MA. Lots of colored glass. A half dollar

Side trail -- Covered with hay stalks. I wonder if the park agency did that? Or maybe the hay just stuck on trail when it was wet and muddy.

2009-06-05T21:42:38Z

Frank Farmer
Side trail -- Covered with hay stalks. I wonder if the park agency did that? Or maybe the hay just stuck on trail when it was wet and muddy.

Kris hikes out.

2009-06-05T04:27:42Z

Frank Farmer
Kris hikes out.

Another look at Labyrinth #3 -- The sun is really coming out now!

2009-06-05T21:43:44Z

Frank Farmer
Another look at Labyrinth #3 -- The sun is really coming out now!

Looking south, toward Round Top. The Sibley Volcanic Caldera is beyond the right side of the grassy slope to the left of Round Top.

2009-06-05T21:59:43Z

Frank Farmer
Looking south, toward Round Top. The Sibley Volcanic Caldera is beyond the right side of the grassy slope to the left of Round Top.

Partly cloudy view to the east -- Mount Diablo is out there, in the clouds. Maybe we'll see it later.

2009-06-05T04:26:25Z

Frank Farmer
Partly cloudy view to the east -- Mount Diablo is out there, in the clouds. Maybe we'll see it later.

Closer view of Round Top -- In the foreground is an interesting looking basalt flow. Hey, this volcano stuff is for real!

2009-06-05T04:37:41Z

Frank Farmer
Closer view of Round Top -- In the foreground is an interesting looking basalt flow. Hey, this volcano stuff is for real!

Looking north along Skyline Ridge. The area out there is closed to hiking access, to promote revegetation.

2009-06-05T04:38:37Z

Frank Farmer
Looking north along Skyline Ridge. The area out there is closed to hiking access, to promote revegetation.

Bonnie shooting a picture

2009-06-05T04:44:53Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie shooting a picture

Hikers we spotted along the way

2009-06-05T04:16:32Z

Frank Farmer
Hikers we spotted along the way

An exotic variety

2009-06-05T04:41:57Z

Frank Farmer
An exotic variety

Rich -- We're heading back to the trailhead. A marathon race was passing through the area, which limited the trails we chose to hike on. We didn't want to get in the runners' way.

2009-06-05T04:26:39Z

Frank Farmer
Rich -- We're heading back to the trailhead. A marathon race was passing through the area, which limited the trails we chose to hike on. We didn't want to get in the runners' way.

Bonnie

2009-06-05T04:27:44Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie

Colorful layers in the volcanic flows

2009-06-05T04:41:24Z

Frank Farmer
Colorful layers in the volcanic flows

Sunny panorama -- Looking southeast

2009-06-05T04:30:45Z

Frank Farmer
Sunny panorama -- Looking southeast

IMG_0355.JPG

2009-06-05T04:40:04Z

Frank Farmer
IMG_0355.JPG

Scene change ... We hopped in the car and drove north, to Tilden Park. The ladies decided to ride on the steam train in the park, while Rich and I hiked up to the top of Vollmer Peak.

2009-06-05T04:40:21Z

Frank Farmer
Scene change ... We hopped in the car and drove north, to Tilden Park. The ladies decided to ride on the steam train in the park, while Rich and I hiked up to the top of Vollmer Peak.

Grassy area near Vollmer Peak

2009-06-05T04:39:13Z

Frank Farmer
Grassy area near Vollmer Peak

Gate at the eastern edge of the park

2009-06-05T22:16:25Z

Frank Farmer
Gate at the eastern edge of the park

Overlooking Briones Reservoir -- Looks like it has plenty of water, even this late in the season.

2009-06-05T04:31:16Z

Frank Farmer
Overlooking Briones Reservoir -- Looks like it has plenty of water, even this late in the season.

Another view of Briones Reservoir From the summit of Vollmer Peak

2009-06-05T04:24:15Z

Frank Farmer
Another view of Briones Reservoir From the summit of Vollmer Peak

Southeastern panorama from Vollmer Peak -- Starting at Round Top on the right. Mount Diablo is in the middle of the picture, out in the clouds.

2009-02-21T18:59:11Z

Frank Farmer
Southeastern panorama from Vollmer Peak -- Starting at Round Top on the right. Mount Diablo is in the middle of the picture, out in the clouds.

Mount Diablo emerging from the clouds. Bonnie and I made plans for another hike there this winter. Want to come along?

2009-02-21T18:57:20Z

Frank Farmer
Mount Diablo emerging from the clouds. Bonnie and I made plans for another hike there this winter. Want to come along?

Zoomed in on Round Top -- Now we can see why it has that name

2009-06-05T04:42:14Z

Frank Farmer
Zoomed in on Round Top -- Now we can see why it has that name

Another Summit view -- Briones Reservoir, from the top of Vollmer Peak

2009-06-05T04:27:58Z

Frank Farmer
Another Summit view -- Briones Reservoir, from the top of Vollmer Peak

pano-378-379.jpg

2009-06-05T21:45:31Z

Frank Farmer
pano-378-379.jpg

Rich heads down the Skyline Trail -- Looking north. Don't ask me why, but I didn't take any pictures overlooking the Bay! I guess it seemed to hazy to get any good photos. Maybe another time ...

2009-06-05T21:44:40Z

Frank Farmer
Rich heads down the Skyline Trail -- Looking north. Don't ask me why, but I didn't take any pictures overlooking the Bay! I guess it seemed to hazy to get any good photos. Maybe another time ...

We're on the East Bay Skyline Trail

2009-06-05T21:46:28Z

Frank Farmer
We're on the East Bay Skyline Trail

And we're on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. We've seen this trail in other parks, including Annadel and Sugarloaf Ridge State Parks.

2009-06-05T04:25:08Z

Frank Farmer
And we're on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. We've seen this trail in other parks, including Annadel and Sugarloaf Ridge State Parks.

Nearing the end ... The recent rains and warm weather lead to all sorts of insect population booms

2009-06-05T04:25:49Z

Frank Farmer
Nearing the end ... The recent rains and warm weather lead to all sorts of insect population booms

Looks like some kind of termite colony! Yikes! We wrapped up our hike, and headed for home. We stopped along the way, for a nice mexican afternoon dinner at Chevy's in Dixon. Another great h ...

2009-06-05T21:36:25Z

Frank Farmer
Looks like some kind of termite colony! Yikes! We wrapped up our hike, and headed for home. We stopped along the way, for a nice mexican afternoon dinner at Chevy's in Dixon. Another great h ...