The climb starts off nice and gentle. I know that I have almost 5000 feet of it, though, so I start off slow to conserve energy.
The hills have finally turned green after recent rains.
Del Valle Reservoir
At the first bend with a view I can see that we're making some progress
Fire road trail
Ben Catches up
See that grade? This was one of the 'gradual' climbs.
Flat Stretch
Shooting Stars
Climbing toward Rocky Ridge
We're nearly done with the first big climb, a 1700 foot climb to Rocky Ridge.
Del Valle again
Steep section
Rocky Ridge
Made it up the first climb and we're still fresh.
Down to Williams Gulch
A 600 foot drop. It's nice to have a downhill break, but it won't be fun to come back up on our return hike.
Williams Gulch
Mt Diablo and Rocky Ridge
Rocky Ridge looks smaller now. Piece of cake. We're heading up the other side of Williams Gulch up the 'Big Burn'
Vaudesir calls for a starbucks and a helicopter
Still going up
Almost to the top of the Big Burn, we've climbed another 1800-ish feet.
Neat tree along the trail
At the top of the big Burn we get to my favorite kind of Bay Area trail - rolling ridgeline with views.
Johnny's Pond
Down to the falls
Rocky Falls area
Finding a route to the falls
At the top of Murietta Falls - finding a route down to the bottom is the trickiest part.
Fizzy stays at the top to take our picture
Murietta Falls
The tallest fall in the Bay Area (~100 ft)
Murietta Falls
Stream that feeds murietta
Close up of burl
Distant Sierra
We think that's Yosemite over yonder
Looking across at Rocky Ridge
On the way back. We have to drop into Williams Gulch and climb back out. After we've already climbed about 4000 feet today. Fun.
Newt in Williams Gulch
Williams Gulch
Williams Gulch
The last climb
Fallen tree
Name: Johnny Jump Up, Yellow Pansy, California Golden Violet (Viola pedunculata)
Location: Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Date: February 28, 2009
