(from L) Amber, Mo, Amit, Yu-Kuan and Stewart, ready to set off. See the tall brownish peak on the left? That's where we're headed!
It was a gorgeous spring Saturday, and Yu-Kuan was down from Seattle for a visit, so we had to do something memorable. Our choice for "something memorable" was a hike to Mission Peak. Mission Peak is a rugged mountain that rises over the southeast Bay - it's a lovely wilderness, and very accessible, yet I had never heard of it before! You can learn more at the East Bay Regional Parks official site, and there are lots of great links here.
Click on any picture for a full-size version.
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(from L) Amber, Mo, Amit, Yu-Kuan and Stewart, ready to set off. See the tall brownish peak on the left? That's where we're headed!
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After a half-hour of climbing, Stewart et al. pause to admire the view over the South Bay, and to debate how you can drop an egg three feet without breaking it. (Never did figure that one out... you'll have to ask Amit...)
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Wildlife and wildflowers were abundant. Here, lupines garnish the hillside with purple; just a moment before, we had seen a kestrel perched on a power line, eating a small snake.
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Two-thirds of the way up, we have found a marvelous lookout: lichen-covered boulders! (From L: Stewart, Mo, Amit, Yu-Kuan.)
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It's been a long hike, and the sun is getting to us.
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We're nearly to the top. This boulder field was inhabited by colonies of ground squirrels, who cried "Meep! Meep!" to warn of approaching hawks and/or hikers.
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We made it! The summit was windswept and spectacular - we had a 360° view over the Bay and the hilly wilderness to the east. (From L: Mo, Amit, Amber, Stewart, Yu-Kuan.)
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Last updated June 7, 2006.