Briones Regional Park - May '26 

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Briones Regional Park is one of the larger properties in the East Bay Regional Park District system, with 73 parks. Briones can be approached from Lafayette, Walnut Creek, or Martinez, as well as a few other places. 

We started at the Briones Rd. Staging Area, coming 2 miles south on Alhambra Valley Road, from the John Muir House (and Hwy. 4) in Martinez. 

The eight person group consisted of my friend Andrew (from Oakland), with his gf Sandra (from SF), and, my nephew John, and Pepper (Pinole), plus regular hikers Jean, Diane, Cynthia, Karen, and me, from Sacramento. 

	at the trailhead		we're heading up there		Mt. Diablo (3,849 ft.) in bright haze behind us
		Andrew & Sandra		the hills of Briones
	John & Pepper		the trail (and  Diablo's tiny peak)		Andrew & me
				Farewell to spring, a Clarkia
	Cynthia		Thistle & mustard		see note 1
		Pepper needing shade & water		California sagebrush, an Artemisia, note 2
	poison oak in the center		looking west to Berkeley Hills, note 3		Carquinez Straits behind us

note 1 - Black mustard is in the Brassica family which includes cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, bok choy, mustard greens, & Arugula.   

note 2 - In many backyard perennial gardens, Artemisia plants contribute a valuable grey-green color to a landscaping palette.

note 3 - A few distinctive peaks in the vicinity of the Caldecott tunnel area (on hwy 24) help define the Berkeley hills, from miles away, such as Vollmer Peak (1,906 ft.), and Grizzly Peak (1,762 ft.'), or Eureka Peak (1,624 ft.) or Barberry Peak (1,683 ft.).   

We enjoyed an uncrowded stroll, seeing few other hikers or mtn. bikers. This being the end of May, we lucked out on weather, because it never went above 80 deg f., whereas we're usually having our first 100 degree days (or weeks) at this time.    

On AllTrails, the walk is called Briones Road to Briones Crest Trail Loop, 4.6 miles with 912 ft of gain. 

Plant ID is via PictureThis. 

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