We got to the park at 8 am when the gate opened and were the only ones in the parking lot. It was a bit chilly as we started up the trail next to the picnic area.

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The hike starts off harmless enough down a two track through flat grassland.

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David and Laurent on the first short uphill grade.

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Gnarled oaks everywhere.

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As we crest the first small ridge we get a peek at the appealing looking peaks to the south. I know most are on private land but I must research if any of them are accessible. Want.

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This is cattle grazing land so there are a lot of gates to pass through.

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It's sunny and beautiful and green.

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Recent rains have compacted the dirt but it isn't muddy. Perfect hiking today.

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At one of the many, many trail junctions. Not everything is signed and a lot of the posts are laying on the ground. Have a good map - our intended track was in our GPS devices so that helped make choices at poorly marked or invisible (several faded trails) intersections.

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On the first few miles of our hike we encountered several locals.

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Moo.

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We spotted a trio of coyotes running up the ridge in the distance.

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Wider view of where we saw the coyotes (two still visible in the middle)

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Pig pond

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Shooting stars

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Pig pond

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It's really quiet, other than the occasional Moooooo.

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Looking across at the ridge north of Spike's Peak

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Road block

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Stare down

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We'll head over that ridge next

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Diablo Range to the south

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Curious cattle. One of the little guys bluff charged as we walked by. I told him I loved hamburgers.

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Field of Blue Dicks. It was windy, which made it difficult to photograph wildflowers.

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I'm using a new camera, the Panasonic GX1, and am impressed with the ability to capture and hold focus on the wildflowers blowing in the wind.

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Pacheco Peak

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All of those appealing peaks to the south: Ararat, Cathedral, Mariposa

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Pacheco Peak in the distance.

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Nice private ranch on the other side of the fence.

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You go first. No, you go first. (pig trap)

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Pacheco peak and a beautiful day for hiking.

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Buttercup

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Meeting the Whiskey Flat trail.

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Field of buttercup. The wildflowers started off a bit weak but as the day went on we saw more and more.

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Looking back at the ridge we just hiked over. Spikes peak is the high point on the right.

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I want to go there. But not today.

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Johnny Jump Up

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Pacheco Peak and hiking along the outer boundary of the park

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Park boundary fence

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Again, those appealing peaks to the south.

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Field of shooting stars

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Pacheco Peak: off limits.

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