Date:         Tue, 5 Mar 2002 10:55:50 -0800
Reply-To:     Al Knoll <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Al Knoll <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Get high campout
In-Reply-To:  <0GSI00K8IAGULK@mta3.snfc21.pbi.net>
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DT and others,  From the summit of Mt. Diablo, a Califunia state park, you
can see more contiguous land mass than from any other point in the
Continental US.  I scouted the camping for the M&Ms and there are several
areas where the views are worth the travel.  Mt. D is located within view of
the Golden Gate bridge, Mount Shasta, Mount Lassen, a fair chunk of Nevada
and Concord California.  It's a pretty long drive from each place except
Concord.  Spring wildflowers, local critters and birds, kite flying, noshing
and gnashing, tickling bens fancy, and power lounging are favorite
attractions.  Mike has promised to do the summit run from the North Entry
station, as I understand it.

Map'n'go, streets and trips, Garmin Worldmap, Delorme TOPO and so on can
provide guidance and routing.

http://cal-parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=517 has details.

Some events that weekend.

April 13 - Saturday
Wildflower Walk with Yulan Tong (925) 945-6068 and Linda Sanford (510)
848-4813.
Meeting Place: End of Regency Drive (MP 13) at 9:00 a.m.
Look for spring wildflowers in Donner Canyon and Back Canyon, focusing upon
wildflowers that inhabit oak woodland and chaparral.  Meet at the end of
Regency Drive.  We will walk up Donner Canyon Road to the Tickwood Trail and
come back on Back Creek Road.  The loop is approximately 2 1/2 miles in
length.  Bring water, snack, and sunscreen.

April 14 - Sunday
Birdwalk with Maury Stern (925) 284-5980 and Linda Sanford (510) 848-4813.
Meeting Place:  Mitchell Canyon (MP 12) at 8:30 a.m.
Look for returning nesters and spring migrants while walking through
Mitchell Canyon.  Learn to identify birds by song and behavior as well as
plumage.  Flycatchers, vireos, and warblers are likely to be found along
Mitchell Creek and the surrounding uplands.  Approximately 3 miles in
length.  Beginning birders are welcome.  Meet on the deck of the Mitchell
Canyon Interpretive Center.

April 14 - Sunday
The first great Mikey Hunt.  Similar to a snipe hunt.  This visitor directed
exploration of the summit trail from the summit to the sea if necessary will
concentrate on finding Mikey.  Rather like a nature oriented "Where's Waldo"
but a lot more diverse.  Along the way we will be exposed to scatalogical
displays, dangerous plants, UV-B, hysterical laughter, and perhaps be viewed
by a pussycat or two.  Bring water, trinkets to trade with the natives,
portable musical instruments, a sun hat, and your best behavior.