What we’re about
Hiking with Friends is a group from Walnut Creek Friends Church and others who enjoy hiking the hills in Contra Costa County and other Bay Area locations. This group is for anyone who enjoys making new friends and exploring the great outdoors while developing stronger relationships with Jesus, nature, and one another.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Shaded Redwood Hike, Canyon, CAEBMUD Valle Vista Valley Vista Staging Area, Moraga, CA
Join us for a morning hike among the redwoods in Canyon, CA near Moraga. This is a moderate, sometimes steep, 3-mile out-and-back hike with a 823 ft. altitude gain. See this link for details.
Expect pleasant morning temps then warming up as we go. As usual, be sure to bring sturdy shoes or hiking boots, water to drink, a snack to eat, and an attitude for making friends.
Note: this permit area has a limit of 30 hikers per group. If you sign up and cannot make it, please remove yourself from the list so others on the waitlist can take your place. You do not have to pay MeetUp to be on the waitlist.
If you have an East Bay MUD hiking permit, let me know and we can allow more hikers on the list.
Let’s meet up at the trailhead in Moraga at 9:00 am, or meet me at the Walnut Creek Friends Church back parking lot at 8:15 am for carpooling.
The trailhead is at the EBMUD Valle Vista Staging Area on Canyon Rd in Moraga.
I hope you can join us!
Doug
- Wildflower Hike at Carson PassWalnut Creek Friends Church Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA
Do you like wildflowers?
Do you like hiking in the Sierras?If so, come join me for this once-a-year phenomenon at Carson Pass to see arguably the best wildflower display in all the Sierras! And yes, this is an actual picture I took there a few years ago.
Our trailhead is at Woods Lake near Carson Pass along highway 88. We will take the Lake Winnemucca trail at about 8,000 ft elevation then hike 1.5 miles and 803 ft up to the lake. After lunch there, we will return the same way making a total out-and-back hike of 3.7 miles. The trail opens up to a mile-long slope of amazing wildflowers along the way. Here is a link to more trail information for your reference.
Please Note: I would rate this hike as medium-to-difficult due to the altitude alone.
Lets meet up at the Walnut Creek Friends Church at 7:00 AM for carpooling (1950 1st Avenue in Walnut Creek). We will return there around 8:00 PM. A deli stop to pick up a lunch and a dinner stop on the way back is also on the agenda. Here is a general timeline:
7:00 AM - Meetup at the church and depart
9:00 AM - Deli / Fuel Stop in Jackson
11:00 AM - Arrive at Woods Lake - Park & prep - sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
11:30 - 1:00 PM - Wildflower hike to Lake Winnemucca
1:00 - 2:00 PM - Lunch break / explore lake and nearby peaks
2:00 - 3:30 PM - Wildflower hike return to Woods Lake
3:30 - 5:00 PM - Return drive to dinner spot (Location TBD - Jackson?)
5:00 - 6:00 PM - Dinner
6:00 - 8:00 PM - Return drive to Walnut CreekBe sure to bring layers of clothing as there may still be snow and wind at the higher elevations. Hiking shoes or boots are recommended, as well as insect repellent, sunscreen and/or a hat. And of course, always bring an attitude for making friends.
The flowers along this trail are absolutely amazing. I look forward to sharing this hike with you all.
Be prepared to purchase food and pitch in for gas.
Doug
