Mt. Diablo from East Oakland--and back?

Here are a couple of guys who in 1905 hiked from East Oakland to Mt. Diablo, up to the summit of Mt. Diablo, and then back to East Oakland in one day. They estimated their route took them about 60 miles and a total of 16 hours. The trek up the mountain from base to summit took seven and a half hours, which might seem long to us these days, but back then the trails were probably way more iffy.

No doubt, they really had a long hike.

Gilbert Thomas, of course, was one of the Thomas Brothers who created the Thomas Brothers maps. (See my genealogy blog for more on the Thomas Brothers).

Source: The Oakland Tribune 19 June 1905
Ancestry.com. Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006, accessed 8 February 2016.
Original data: Oakland Tribune. Oakland, CA, USA. Database created from microfilm copies of the newspaper.
Mt. Diablo image from parks.ca.gov

Squatters in the Redwoods

Redwoods in Moraga?

Yes, indeed. There is a park with picnic tables and educational signs about the trout (trout in Moraga?) and there are many trails to explore amongst the beautiful redwood trees.

The place is Redwood Regional Park, and the hiking opportunities are amazing. You can take an easy hike on wide trails, or a more challenging hike with significant elevation gain.

You might see rabbits on the lower trails. You might see trout if the timing is right--try late Spring for that. The madrone trees with their red bark are also compelling to view and photograph.

And the history--the Redwoods were just a little out of the way for former owners of the tract--the Moraga family. They had a huge land grant to manage and farm, and were hard pressed to deal with the squatters who took up residence in the Redwoods in the 1800's. Naturally there was logging done by owners and non-owners. There were court cases and shoot-em ups and more difficulty than might be imagined from the point of view of the content hiker of our century, viewing the majestic trees and experiencing the peace of mind of a preserved area.

Yet it was once an area of land-grabbing and gunfights! Nice to reflect on as you feel the soft needles below and look up to see the sun break through the branches of the tall trees.

History and the hiker: Borges Ranch

When we hike, we often tramp through areas that have been preserved and which retain some historical value--if we can figure out what it is that happened under our feet and around the trails upon which we step.

This blog will help to remind the hiker to look for clues and information to the history of place, which will only enrich the experience of hiking.

Let's start with the hike to and around Borges Ranch, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California.

The immediate impression when hiking these trails is that the hiker is surrounded by beautiful oaks, many of which seem to be pretty old. There is a lot of wild grass, and there are signs of wildlife--rattlesnakes, deer, birds. The trails are not difficult, and wind nicely around the hills.

 When you reach the ranch, you see a few goats, hear the sounds of chickens, and after your snack at the picnic tables you can peek into a barn filled with old implements, or you might look at the old tractors standing in the yard. The scene is peaceful and you might leave barely wondering what is the history of this place? It is easy to pick up your feet, take to the trails, and leave such thoughts behind.

Let's take an easy path, but not quite so easy as that. There is a history and knowing it will enrich the stomping and tramping and will help with the little challenges along the way--sweating, avoiding snakes, ignoring that knee pain--you get the picture.

Borges Ranch was established in 1899 by Francisco Borges, one of many immigrants from the Azores to California, for his family. His wife was ill with malaria, and he had been advised to find a place with a good climate for her to recover in. It is not well-known these days that malaria was once a common malady in America. Just imagine the hardship for families who endured it.

Borges and his wife moved from Elmira (in Solano County) to the hills behind Mount Diablo. They established a cattle ranch in an area that just happens to be beautiful, and which has now  been preserved as Open Space.

You could drive to Borges Ranch, but all the better to hike in and see the beauty of the rolling hills, feel the sun, and pound that earth beneath your feet.

For more information see The City of Walnut Creek website about Borges Ranch.