I went for a hike at Brushy Peak Regional Preserve today. Water is still just coming out of the hills and turning trails into mud, but it was only a few places that were really bad. I made it about 3.5 miles before I couldn’t keep my feet dry anymore. Luckily, I only had another half mile to go so I didn’t end up with massive blisters. But my shoes were covered with mud.
The path runs through cattle grazing land up in the hills above Livermore. I started taking pictures of the cows. They became quite interested in me and started forming a circle around me. I was getting a little concerned, but they shooed away when I got up to leave.
Several times I came across a few cows just hanging out on the path daring you to approach them.
I started on the West Loop Trail and then transferred to the Brushy Peak Trail where I found a copse of trees growing around the stream as it tumbled down the hill. So I took a rest and then pulled out my tripod to take some more “smooth” water pictures.
Once I packed up and got moving again I reached the highest part of the path (it doesn’t actually go to the peak as far as I could tell). Some nice views of Livermore from up in the hills, especially while everything is still green.
Then it was down again and through the mud to get back to the parking lot. I hiked a little over 4 miles and it took me about 4 hours. I wasn’t intending to hike that far or be out that long, but there weren’t a lot of options for trails and hiking a trail and then just turning around is lame. My legs are going to be sore tomorrow though. Surprisingly I don’t seem to have a sunburn.