Diablo watch issue 10 fall winter 1992 edition

DIABLO WATCH

Save Mount Diablo

Protecting the Mountain Since 1971

Three Sp rings to b e Transferr ed t o the State (Your donations held the property safely)

In the last issue of Diablo Watch, we described Save Mount Diablo's newest acquisition, the spectacular "Three Springs" property on the slopes of North Peak By using the last three years' donations, all of our Land Fund and by taking out a loan, we were able to purchase the property on May 12th for approximately half a million

dollars. SMD purchased 78 of 83 acres, leaving a 5-acre parcel with a house in private hands, allowing us to avoid the expense of the house and, with the reservation of development rights, ensuring that no further development would take place.

As Mount Diablo State Park borders "Three Springs" on three sides, r:---=--:-<-=-...,,..,,-=-----,,=---------------, we purchased the property for inclusion into the State Park Even before the purchase was completed, we began negotiations with the State to transfer "Three Springs" into public ownership. As at first the State was going to purchase the land from SMD over a period of several years, SMD began a fund raising campaign, urging our members to contribute toward a goal of $147,000 in order to pay off the loan and to partially replenish our depleted Land Fund. On May 28th, SMD dedicated a $5000 award from the first Helen Crocker

continued on page 2

Land Fund Needs Your Help! New Properties Offered to Save Mt. Diablo

Oak Leaves

One positive aspect of the current recession is that real estate prices are down, and Save Mount Diablo is being offered more private land than usual, two parcels in the past two months alone. Won't you please donate to the Land Fund now, so that we can attempt to preserve land on Mount Diablo? Given the competition from development interests, and without funding on hand, it's difficult to protect key parcels.

SMD had to dedicate almost half a million dollars to the "Three Springs" parcel in May, for example, draining our Land Fund. In 1989 an approved subdivision plan would have meant losing the 631-acre Morgan Ranch, but for your donations to acquire a $30,000 option holding the property until funding could be developed. The Morgan Ranch connected Mount Diablo State Park with Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. In that case, your private donations were eventually matched almost 50 to 1 by State funding.

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you donated, reserving the property Th S • t from an approved subdivision until ree prtngs con " after the vote. Subsequently, it became Russell Award of The San Francisco the first Prop. 70 project in the State). Foundation as the first new funding for The remaining funding was reserved the project campaign. for several parcels for which the State

The Board of Directors is now was in negotiation. When negotiations pleased to announce that changing for one such parcel stalled, the reserved circumstances have allowed us to money became available for 'Three terminate the special fund raising Springs'. Proposition 70 has now been campaign early, as the State has nearly exhausted both locally and decided to use bond funds to make the state-wide. complete transfer of the property as Your generosity has meant that the soon as the legal work is completed. board was secure in moving ahead

Where did the new money come with the new purchase, confident that from? Proposition 70, the California we would be able to meet our payParks and Wildlife Bond, which you ments on the loan. We must continue helped us with back in 1988, was the to meet our monthly payments at source. SMD and citizen groups present, but when we receive the State throughout the state qualified the funds for "Three Springs", your Proposition 70 initiative in 1988 by donations will be recycled into the collecting signatures and participating Land Fund for our next purchase. in a campaign coordinated by the According to SMD president Susan Planning and Conservation League. Watson, "As with the Morgan Ranch, SMD volunteers alone collected more without members' donations to the than 12,000 signatures. A special $4 Land Fund, we could not have moved million fund was created for Mount forward with the purchase in the first Diablo (among many other such funds place, and the property could have for projects state-wide) when the voters been lost. We have received offers of approved the initiative. several other key purchases, and are

Part of the $4 million was used to attempting to increase the Land Fund purchase the 631-acre Morgan Ranch in now [see Land Fund Needs Your Help!] so 1989 (SMD had optioned the Morgan that SMD can sign new options when Ranch in 1988 before Prop . 70 passed in the opportunity arises. Many thanks an option campaign to which many of for your continuing support".

The Outstanding Biological Richness of "Three Springs"

'Three Springs' continues to astound us as we get to know it better There are very few other private parcels as small as this one is with as much biological diversity, caused in part by the elevation change from 920 feet above sea level to 1800 feet. The property rises from blue oak savannah and interior live oak woodland past an oak/bay shaded riparian corridor with a canopy of sycamores and big leaf maples to the rocky slopes of North Peak and its gnarled junipers.

The other major factor which contributes to the richness is the water supplied by the three springs-the upper most one has flowed all summer into the sixth year of drought and supplies a sizeable pool available to wildlife. In addition, the northeast facing slopes are more shaded from the summer sun, and thus are heavily wooded.

The parcel includes slopes of maidenhair ferns and wildflowers, spring-side flower gardens of cardinal flower, California fuchsia and dogwood, and thickets of wild grapes which compete with poison oak for the most spectacular autumn colors. Huge valley oaks, dubbed 'weeping oaks' by early settlers for their branches that often hang to the ground, are found throughout the parcel. Limited to California, the valley oak is a threatened species. The upper elevation, southwest comer of 'Three Springs ' is marked by a huge, stately big leaf maple.

Dianne Lake, leader of Rare Plant Survey team of the California Native Plant Society, East Bay Chapter, remarked that when SMD program director invited her on a hike of the property, "'I went along thinking I was doing Save Mount Diablo a favor, in return for all of the good work they ' ve done After a two hour walk, I knew instead that I had received the favor'. In this one short hike, in the middle of July-hardly the best time to observe plant species-Lake identified 5 plant communities and more than 120 species.

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SMD Program Director Seth Adams points out the spring house at the upper of the_ "Three Sprf ngs ". Wild grap e covers the spring house, and a large stand of the rare Stachys ~~cnat~ 1~ at Adams feet. Tlze upper spring continued to run throughout the summer, greatly benefiting wildlife.

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Three Springs ...

Deer, bobcat, coyotes, turkey vultures, prairie falcons and the Alameda whipsnake have all been seen on the property, and there is unfortun a te ev id ence of wild pigs roo t ing in on e of th e mea dow s and wallow in g in th e upper sp rin g . Gray fo x and coyote are common. On one hike, butterfly expert Rich Kelson identified more than a dozen species of butterflies and moths.

Hikes, Trails, and Maps

Several hundred members of SMD have enjoyed six hikes on "Three Springs" over the past few months. Along with the contributions of experts in Mount Diablo's wildlife, butterflies, birds, native plants and geology, special thanks go to hike leaders Don de Fremery, David Sanger, Dianne

Lake and SMD President Susan Watson, Vice-President Bob Doyle, and Program Director Seth Adams.

Adams was faced with the task of designing a trail loop that would show off the parcel, yet protect sensitive areas and respect the property rights of the nearby private parcels. At the same time, he was faced with rugged terrain and the need to design a gradual route conducive to new hikers. "The property lines are essentia lly sh aped like a rectangle made up of two 40 acre squares but draped over three canyons and rising up the lower slopes of North Peak," said Adams. "We were able to connect the trail from a fire road in the State Park leading to an abandoned quarry, between the two parcels, connect with the internal fire road system, then loop back to the stream canyon "

From there, a several hundred yard gap was bridged by the labor of

A Tribute By a nd For Bob Walker

Save Mount Diablo Board member and environmentalist Bob Wa lker passed away on September 19th. A p rofessional landscape photographer, his images have often been found among these pages. Throughout this issu e of Diablo Watch, w e 've included some of his photo s. We ha v e been inspired by and will r emember the man for himself, and his w ork. Thanks to the Ind ependent Documenta r y Group.

Clayton's Boy Scout Troop 484 to another already existing trail, the Olympia Trail, which stretches from Mount Olymp ia to Morgan Territory Road. Som etime in th e future SMD and the scouts hope to build an extension to North Peak, creating access to an entirely new area of Mount Diablo State Park.

Although the property is not yet open to the public, one hike will be led this winter on January 23rd (see "Hikes & Events ") wea th er permitting. A map of "Three Springs" and the suroun ding trail network w ill be p u blished in Diablo Watch after the property is dedicated to the State.

SMD hopes to dedicate " Three Springs" to Mount Diablo State Park in April with a hike, picnic and ceremon y d uring th e "April On The Mountain" celebration Watch for the date in the next issue of Diablo Watch.

Mitch ell Canyon. Photo: Bob Walker Arch ives, courtesy of the Ind epend ent Do cum entary Gr oup.

!Job Walker nt lwnw i11 Morgm1 Territory I<cgioll(1/ Preserve. His first love, Bob led the c11111p11ig11 lo co1111ect /1,e Preserve with Mo1111I Din/Jlo Slate Pnrk ncross fiv e mile. of private /1111d. Plt oto: Bob Wnlker Archives, courtesy of ll1e l11depe11de11/ Docume11 lflry Group.

Castl e Rock Photo : BobWalk er Archi ve s, courtes y of the Indep endent Docum entary Group.

A Message from the President

Bill Mott and Bob Walker will be Sorely Missed

My task in this column is two-fold. First, to ask you to help us continue the good fight preserving Mount Diablo. We need your donations, and we need your expertise. In the last few months of the year, please make a tax-deductible charitable donation. For the past few years the Board of Directors has been able to dedicate every unrestricted donation to land acquisition through our Land Fund. Our record is good-thousands of acres acquired or preserved through dedication with dollar values that match your contributions many times over . With the retirement of several members of the Board, and the loss of another, Save Mount Diablo is also short handed and greatly challenged. If you have the time or skill, please consider the other ways in which you might help.

My second task is to bid farewell to two great conservationists. At the end of this summer's season, the mountain and its human community lost two of its dear friends and staunch admirers. Bill Mott died on September 21st, and Bob Walker on September 19th. Both were towering figures in their respective fields, yet they never lost touch with ordinary people and the lands they loved so much. Both brought a

vision to their work, and both worked tirelessly to achieve that vision.

William Penn Mott, Jr. needs no introduction to our readers. He was superintendent of parks in Oakland and then general manager of the East Bay Regional Park District before becoming director of the State Department of Parks and Recreation in 1967 under the then Governor Reagan. In all positions, he brought energy, conviction, and direction, not for personal advancement, but for his abiding love of the natural world.

In 1985, he was called by President Reagan to the post of director of the National Park Service. Bill tirelessly visited most National Parks and Monuments, established new National Parks, talked with the personnel that ran the parks and the people who lived near them or visited them. The morale of the Service rose to new heights under his leadership, and the people of the United States responded to his vision by supporting the parks and their protection. He was still actively working in many environmental issues, most notably with the conversion of the Presidio of San Francisco to parkland, at the time of his death at 82.

Bob Walker is also known to our readers. As a board member of Save Mount Diablo for many years, he was active in promoting the connection of the State Park to the park for which he had a special affinity, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. It was in 1981 that Bob "discovered" Morgan Territory, and it was this special place that inspired him to accomplish so much in the environmental field. He was president of the East Bay Trails Council for three years and spearheaded the planning for the proposed 400-mile route of the Bay Ridge Trail He served two years as head of the 45,000 member S.F. Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club, actively supported preservation of Pleasanton Ridge, and saw the establishment of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park in 1990.

Bob was also a superb professional landscape photographer; his photos have graced these pages many times and have benefited the environmental movement in many ways, notably in tandem with a myriad of non-profit causes and an array of political campaigns. As part of the Independent Documentary Group, he helped film the widely viewed "Treasures of the Greenbelt," under the auspices of Greenbelt Alliance, and "Secrets of the Bay" with the Save San Francisco Bay Association. His love of photography blended in with his love of the land and his advocation of land preservation. He showed his slides to many audiences, and his photographs have been shown in many exhibits, currently at the headquarters of the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland. The East Bay Regional Park District honored him in August with the naming of a ridge and a trail for him in his beloved Morgan Territory.

Like Bill Mott, personal ambition was not a factor in his success. Like Bill Mott, Bob felt personally responsible for the land, delighted in it, and wanted to communicate his love of it to all. His boundless enthusiasm, his gentle and humorous ways, and his persistent but non-aggressive work for the land he loved will be sorely missed. Although he was only 40 when he died, he had accomplished more and - continued on page 5

Mount Diab/a from Briones . Photo: Bob Walker Archives, courtesy of the Independent Documentary Group.

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learned more and taught others more of what living is all about than most of us learn in a long lifetime.

Coincidentally, services for both were held on September 27th Bill's was at the beautiful First Presbyterian Church in Oakland, where he had been a communicant for many years. Although full of panoply, the service was also full of the devotion that his many friends felt for him over his long and eventful life . My favorite floral tribute among all the flowery ones was an 8-foot Coast Redwood tree in a 5 gallon tub, waiting to be planted at some appropriate spot, a great tribute to a great man .

After Bill's service, fellow board member Bob Doyle and I went on to Bob Walker's service, which was, of course, at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. The place on earth he loved most, Bob brought attention to little known, long neglected Morgan Territory in the mid 1980s, helping to double its size and unite its borders with that of Mount Diablo State Park.

At the base of the ridge named for him and next to the Bob Walker Regional Trail in a beautiful grove of oak trees, looking out over the tawny hills of east Contra Costa and the distant Delta (which also he was working to preserve), a large group of his friends gathered to speak of their

love for him and their remembrances of his life We were a varied group, coming from many aspects of Bob's life, but were united as one in our admiration of an inspiring life, one that touched many and one that will continue to inspire and affect many for years.to come.

Donations in memory of Bill Mott may be sent to the William P. Mott Jr. Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1394, Ross, CA 94957. Donations in memory of Bob Walker may be sent to the Independent Documentary Group, 394 Elizabeth Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 for preservation ofBob' s photographs.

- Susan Watson

Thank Yo u

We especially appreciate the generous contributions of our many supporters. You make our work protecting Mount Diablo possible.

Diablo Watch is published by Save Mount Diablo, a non profit organization dedicated to preserving land on Mount Diablo and educating the public to the mountain's natural values.

Sav e Mount D i ab lo BO AR D OF D IR ECT OR S :

S u s an Watson Pres ident

Mary L. Bo w erman Vice,.,Pr~s ident

I Robert E. D oyle Via?-Pre sident·

Eli za be th Zi l en Vice-Presitlent

Juds on Mygatt Treasurer

Genevie e,S a ttler SecretanJ

William Sattler Ass-istnnt Secretary

Patrice M oran Director

Chris Valle-Riestra Director

Program Directo r Seth Adams

Valley Oaks in Round Valley. Photo: Bob Walker Archives, courtesy of the Independent Documentan; Group

The Delta and the Montezuma hills from North Peak , past Black Diamond Mines Regional Pr eserve, Pittsburg and Antioch . Photo: Bob Walker Archives, court esy of the Independent Documentary Group.

New Additions Open to Public in Morgan Territory

On November 1st, with the completion of a Land Use Development Plan, the East Bay Regional Park District opened to public use 1,213 acres in additions to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. Save Mount Diablo has worked cooperatively with the District since 1984 to acquire and protect Riggs Canyon and the headwaters of Marsh Creek in a wildlife corridor stretching to the Morgan Ranch and other additions to Mount Diab lo State Park.

The new additions include the Highland Ridge trail, which is overlain with the Bob Walker Regional Trail, named for the Save Mount Diablo Board member who led the campaign to expand the Preserve. The additions are made up of the former Cardoza, Perry and Wirthman properties, and expand the Preserve to 4,066 acres including Round Valley to the east (but not yet publicly accessible). A new Preserve map includes the additions, the Bob Walker Regional Trail and the Bob Walker Ridge, named for Walker before his death in a ceremony on August 18th. A full scale map can be found at the Preserve staging area, or obtained from EBRPD by calling (510) 635-0135.

Park Budget Cuts Averted With Your Help; Bond Act Contemplated

The State and Regional Parks were threatened over the swnmer and in early fall with massive budget cuts during budget deliberations in Sacramento. In the last Diab/a Watch and in a letter, Save Mount Diablo members were asked to contact area legislators and the governor to avert the cuts and to urge the placement of a Park Acquisition Bond on the November ballot. These efforts were successful in sparing the Regional Parks this year from cuts of almost a third of its funding, and protecting the State Park system from additional cuts on top of last year's. No park units will be closed, and Mt. Diablo State Park,

which is already short staffed, will not see additional cuts this year. Thanks for your help!

What failed, however, were our efforts to place AB 72, the Cortese Bond Act, on the November ballot. There has not been a successful state park bond since the citizens' Proposition 70 Parks and Wildlife initiative in June 1988; the funds from Prop. 70 have been largely exhausted and there is very little state funding left for state park expansion. Save Mount Diablo is part of a coalition of conservation groups considering a new citizens' initiative for the 1994 ballot. We'll need your help, and we'll keep you posted.

Jensen Property to be added to Morgan Tert·itory

The East Bay Regional Park District has signed an option on the 49acre Jensen property, east of the Morgan Territory Regional Preserve staging area. The property was created by the Contra Costa Water District in 1989 when that agency acquired part of a larger property within the watershed of its proposed Los Vaqueros reservoir, but left the most developable part of the parcel in private hands, surrounded on all sides by public land.

Construction on the property would have threatened the Preserve. The agreement leases the parcel back to the owner for one year.

Mt. Diab/a from Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. Photo: Bob Walker Archives, courtesy of tlze Independent Documentary Group.

Map Courtesy of East Bay Regional Park District.

Board Applica n ts and Volunteers Needed

Save Monnt Diablo is looking for a few hard working individuals to serve on its Board of Directors or to volnnteer for special tasks. The Board meets monthly, and works on a wide variety of tasks'.

There are p r esently op en ings on the Fundraisin g and P ublications Committees, and on the Board Individua ls with s kills in planning, fund raising or n e w s letter production are especially needed. The Publications Committee is currently without a chair person; the Conuniltee m a nages publication of variou s SMD publications including this newsletter In addition, there is a real need for

volunteer secretarial help, for writing thank you notes, taking minutes, etc .

Interested volunteers are encouraged to attend a few meetings to better understand the Board's role. If you're interested in attending a meeting, or receiving a Board application, or in volunteering, please check which activities you'd like to volunteer for and return this section to Seth Adams at the address below or call (510) 2294275. Resumes can be sent to Seth Adams-SMD, P O. Box 44, Martinez, CA 94553 (please write legibly).

Hike Leaders Needed

for

"April On The Mountain"

Each year Save Mount Diablo and the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association co-sponsor April On The Mountain, which has grown into several months of hikes and events. Longtim e Coordinator Bill Sattler is retirin g from the task, which is being taken up by Don de Fremery. If you'd like to lead a hike or event call Don, at 837-5646.

Welcome to New Members!

I Name : __ Phone: _ I

I Address :

I I rd volunteer:

: _on committees of the Board; on the:

l _Board of Directors

I _Fundraising Committee

I _Publications Committee

j _on restoration work projects. _building trails _leading hikes

I _coordinating fundraising events. _writing letters on development issues.

I _to set up an existing display and represent SMD at community events.

I _to stamp envelopes and send out mailings.

: _attending public hearings on Diablo issues.

I _helping with the newsletter;

I _I have computer layout experience

I can write articles

I I have special skills (please elaborate):

Save Mount Diablo would like to welcome recent new members (with apologies to those we might have missed). Welcome also to new organizational and business donors: Refractions, Mills Associates, Plant Decor, Concord Garden Club, and the Sacred Sites International Foundation.

Robert G. Adams, Steve Arntz, Mr. Bieser, Kris & Lark Bowerman, Martha Breed, Angela T. Bradhead, Diana J. Bunting, Philip J Carlson, Cathy Carpenter, Alexander J. Castle, Becky Davies, Robannie Davis, John Deeming, J. T. de Ganahl, Jim Disher, Ms. Carolyn Fulcher, Robert & Wendy Gillespie, Tim & Julie Gleeson, John A. Grippi, Corinne Colleu Hawkins, Richard F Hoedt, Jr., Wil & Floris Imke, Ronald G. Johnson, Arthur & Ja cq u elin e Jones, Jan e K. Kavert, Joseph & Cather in e L Rocca, Ed & Carol Margason, Rosemary Matossian, David Mertes, Virginia Meserole, David & Nathalie Nelson, Hugh & Judy Oliphant, Stephanie & Alan Oswald, G. A. Poirier, Julie T. Rhind, Debbee

Robees, Leslie A. Rosenpeld, Bill Ross, Jack Sawyer, B. Seikkula, Mr. & Mrs. Selways, Scott Strait, James & Jean Sullivan, Gordon & Diane Thielvoldt, Susanne M. Von Rosenburg, Jack E. & Connie Wallace, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wetheuld, Jeanne Will, David K. Winter, Anonymous.

Canyon. Graphic testimony to how wild the Diablo is, mountain lion tracks have been seen around watering holes.

Shell Ridge Open Space (Walnut Creek Open Space)-There will be a Christmas Boutique at the Borges Ranch House on Dec 4-6 and Borges Ranch's new voice mail system will allow callers to find out more about upcoming events or reservations than in the past. The number is the same, call 934-6990 for info about the boutique or reservations. Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation's oak planting project will be continuing in Shell Ridge this year. For more info call Ralph Kraetsch at 933-5732.

Hike s & Events

Park New s

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve (East Bay Regional Park District)-Trails have been named and opened in the new Arata addition. The federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox was confirmed for the first time recently in BDMRP in two separate sightings. This northernmost sighting should have important effects on development in Antioch and the surrounding area. In addition, a young American badger was sighted in the Preserve during the summer; badgers appear to be no longer present in the State Park proper.

Lime Ridge Open Space (Walnut Creek and Concord Open Space)Development threats affect Lime Ridge more than any other Diablo Park unit. The Concord unit of the State College opened this fall, and will encourage public use. The new Crystyl Ranch project is moving through the Concord planning process, and a development has been proposed for the Sand Quarry site. In Walnut Creek, Rancho Paraiso's development continues. Both cities are discussing mutual operations in the upper (or outer) LROS. Concord is undertaking improvements on inner Lime Ridge, including trails, and an improved parking lot on Treat Blvd.

Los Vaqueros Watershed (Contra Costa Water District)-CCWD has acquired 10,834 of approximately

19,000 acres adjacent to Morgan Territory RP and Round Valley, and is working to finalize oak and wetlands mitigation plans for the inundation area (approximately 1600 acres). CCWD is investigating research opportunities with U.C. Berkeley.

Morgan Territory Regional Preserve (East Bay Regional Park District)-Thanks to Park Supervisor Roger Epperson for helping with the logistics of the Bob Walker memorial service on Sept. 27th. The park's newest acquisitions opened November 1st. Wild Pigs are the strongest resource threat in the Preserve at present. A new trail, the extension of the Highland Ridge Trail to the Eagle Trail has been completed. A San Joaquin Kit Fox was sighted in the vicinity of the park recently, and a ranger surprised a group of six golden eagles in one spot. Eagles are frequently sighted on Highland Ridge.

Mount Diablo State Park-The Summit Museum will start getting displays in November; officials hope to have it completed in January or February. MDSP received the same budget as last year, but administrative districts are being shuffled, combining the Diablo District with San Francisco and San Mateo Districts. The State Park office at Cowell and Treat in Concord is going to move to Mitchell

This oak photo is made up of three vertical panoramic photographs of 120 degrees each, from the photographer's feet to above his head, and was taken with a custom-made Cyclops panoramic camera that has a spring-loaded pivoting lens.

Mt. Diablo Panoramas - Nov. 19th

3-D Slide Show- Dec. 2nd

The beautiful work of Lafayette photographer Stephen Joseph will be included in a group showing at the Joan Roebuck Gallery in Lafayette from November 17th to December 12th. He will also give a 3-D slide-show of Mount Diablo on December 2nd at 7:00pm. There is no charge for either event, but please RSVP for the 3-D show at (510) 283-9210 so that enough 3-D glasses can be supplied. (See back cover for other Joseph photos.)

The Joan Roebuck Gallery is open Tu-Sat 11-5:00pm, and is located at 3581A Mount Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette.

Jackass Canyon and Mt. Diablo from Oyster Point. Photo: Bob Walker Archives, courtesy of the Independent Documentary Group.

Hikes & Events cont ...

Clayton to Black Diamond Mines Hike

Sat., Dec 12, 9:00 am, Leader: David Sanger, 526-0800; hike the Black Diamond Way trail, the old stage road from Clayton to the historic Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, with views of the Delta, the Montezuma Hills, back to Mount Diablo-and of much of the Mount Diablo Creek watershed, now under consideration by Clayton in a Specific Plan study. 5-6 miles roundtrip, 3-4 hours. Hikers should bring water, and lunch. Meet at the comer of Marsh Creek Rd. and Center St. in downtown Clayton.

"A Day in The Life of Mount Diablo" December 14th:

On October 17th, 80 photographers roamed Mount Diablo from dawn till dusk, shooting over 12,000 images in "A Day in the Life of Mount Diablo". Sponsored by the Lindsay Museum, Kodak Professional Imaging, Custom Process & Image West, a slide show of some of" A Day in the Life of Mount Diablo" will be presented at 8:00 pm on December 14th at the Regional Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved by calling 943-SHOW.

"Three Springs" Hike

Sat., Jan. 23, 1:00 pm, Leader: Seth Adams, 229-4275; This is the only opportunity this winter to hike on SMD's newest acquisition. There is one significant uphill, but the distances are short, and much of the trail shaded. 3 hours. Wonderful views this time of year, weather permitting. Bring

Our Mountain's Ferns

by Genevieve Sattler

Have you noticed the fems on Mount Diablo? We have identified 12 species of them right on our mountain!!

Fems grow almost anywhere in the world but are most common in the warm tropics where a tree fem may grow to 40 feet. They are usually found in moist, shady woods, among rocks or on cliffs. About 10,000 kinds of fems have been identified with

about300 varieties growing in the United States. California boasts 86 species and we have 12 of them growing on Mount Diablo; we've already noted 3 kinds on the Three Springs property so far.

The leaves or fronds showcase ferns while the stem and roots grow underground. Usually the developing leaves are coil d at the top and are covered with brown scales.

The fem is a flowerless plant which reproduces in two generations by means of spores and sex cells. The spore-forming bodies develop on the underside of the leaf blades and appear as brownish spots or streaks. After the spores are mature they are released from capsules, fall to the ground and germinate. If conditions are favorable,

liquids. Meet at the gate on the south side of Marsh Creek Rd., 5.0 miles east of Ygnacio Valley Blvd. down Clayton Rd. then Marsh Creek Rd. If you pass the power lines, you've gone too far. Heavy rain in the preceding week cancels; call for confirmation.

Olafson Ridge Hike

Sat., Feb. 20, 9:30am, Leader: Don de Fremery, 837-5646; View beautiful Olafson Ridge from all sides on this 10mile hike, including SMD's 1984 Soto Ranch purchase. The route includes Mitchell Canyon, Deer Flat, Moses Rock, Long Ridge, Arroyo del Cerro, and White Canyon. This tour of the northwestern portion of the park involves an elevation gain of 2100 feet. Hike starts at 9:30 am from the Mitchell Canyon staging area, at the end of Mitchell Cyn. Rd. in Clayton. Bring lunch and liquids, should return by 3:00pm.

they grow into a tiny, green, heartshaped plant called a sporophyte. After fertilization, the young sporophyte grows into the mature fem and the cycle is complete.

The 12 species of fems seen on Mount Diablo vary in size, shape and habitat. A brief description of each fem follows. Try identifying them on your next hike!

First a few terms: Oblong-lanceolate-longer than broad, tapering to a point; Ovate-having the outline of a hen's egg in longitudinal section; Pinnate-compound leaf or frond with leaflets arranged on either side of a central rib; Sorus (plural-sori)-A cluster of sporangia on the back of the fronds of fems; Sporangium-spore case or sac. -The Golden Back Fern (Pityrogranuna triangularis) can be found along Mitchell Canyon Road. It is a small- to medium-sized fern that prefers dryish banks and rocky outcrops mostly on shaded canyon slopes. The triangularshaped leaves are erect to drooping and are 1 to 3 times pinnately divided.

Cnlifornin Mninden Fern.

The underside is covered with a yellowish powder.

-California Polypody (Polypoduim vulgare) is common on moist, rocky soils and in rock crevices such as are found in the Mitchell Canyon floor to 350 feet. These small, shade-loving fems' fronds are cleft almost to the midrib and the segments are rounded at the tips. The blades generally grow less than six inches long.

-California Maidenhair (Adianlum jordani) is a delicate, graceful fern that grows in moist, shaded places. The fan-shaped leaves ar 8- 28 inches l ng with dark stalks. This fem may also be seen in Mitchell Canyon, growing at 700 - 2,000 feet.

W stern Brack n (Pteridium <lqui.linmn) grows on grassy hillsid e , with a northern or astern exposu r The leaves are h·iangular, coarse, up to 4 feet, long , 1 t 3 tim s pinnate, with li ght-col red sta lks Th sp rangia are marginal, linear a nd continuous. Althou g h c mmon throughout the sta te, the bracken is rare on Mount Di, blo. Look for it in Mitchell Canyon al 850 fl. c1bove th h·e s lining tbe s h· am.

-Colville's Lip fem (Chcilanth • covillei) is a sma ll, rock-inhab iting

plant usually found growing under extremely dry conditions. On Mount Diablo this fem grows in the driest, most exposed rock crevices, often on the summits. The leaves are 3 - 4 inches long. The blades are 3 times pinnate, densely covered with brown scales on the und rside. The segments are bead-like.

Musco Ranch (MAM property) in Court

Western Bracken Fern cnn be found in Mitchell Canyon nt 850 feet nbove the trees lining t/ze stre11111, nnd illustrates 11 typical fern shnpe. Drawing by Dr. Rudolf W. Becking, in Pocket Florn of tlze Redwood Forest, Island Press, 1982.

Riggs Canyon view of Mount Dinblo and SMD's Morg1111 Rnncli. P/zoto: Bob Walker Archives, collrtesy of the Independent Oornmentnry Group.

Acquisition of the 560-acre Musco Ranch, a !so kn wn as th e MAM propei-ty, may be near. Th East Bay R giona l Park District Board of Directors voted in August 1991 to condemn th e unoccupied parcel, r quiring payment of fair market valu to it s wn rs. A jury trial to determine U1c pri ce b gc1n on Octob r 26 and shou ld conclude ome time in Novembe r. The prop rty is at the heart f Riggs Canyon, with its t hr e branches rising in the east to M rgan rrilory R giona l Preserve, north t SMD's Morgan anch and west to Mount Oiablo It pr serv a ti n would expand the con-idor betwe n the two parks from a f w acres to a mil in width and er ate a new, I w elevat ion cnb·anc from Finl ey Road t both parks s imil ar to Mitchell Canyon.

Boy Scouts build "Thr ee Springs" Tra il

Many thanks to Clayton's Boy Scout Troop 484 (sponsored by the Clayton Business and Professional Association) for volunteer work on October 17th building a new trail through the "Three Springs" property to connect with the Olympia Trail that parallels Marsh Creek Rd. According to SMD Vice-President Bob Doyle, "The scouts did a great job. This new trail unites "Three Springs" trail system with the State Park's, ensuring easy access for the public. Save Mount Diablo thanks the scouts for their volunteer work. It's just the kind of contribution the Park needs in these times of tight state budgets."

Adult leaders & parents Sandy Brooks, Steve Pierce and son Sean Pierce, Dan Salazar, and Wayne Wright, and Scouts Chris Boessenecker, Justin Brooks, Ryan Salazar, Aaron Sabosky, Mike Silverman and Marc Ward, all worked like demons . Sandy Brooks cracked the whip, and the scouts completed the trail in a single morning, allowing a loop hike through the lower part of the property and a level connection from the stream canyon into the State Park. The trail ensures that users will do little damage to the fragile riparian area, and includes clearance for horses and riders traveling onto the property.

The trail has already seen heavy use from SMD hikers and equestrians . The scouts are working toward a merit badge for trail building, and are contributing nominations for the name of the new trail.

Athenian School/Black Oak Estates Saga Continues

As Diablo Watch goes to press, there's been no action on the proposed Black Oak Estates development on part of the Athenian School property, but the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to make a decision regarding a new site plan on November 3rd. Save Mount Diablo recently made a $200 donation to a group of Athenian neighbors

who've hired an architect to review the new plan. We have continued to urge the Supervisors to relocate several units from high on the property in a stream canyon highly visible from the State Park above, and to condition the development to require dedication to the State Park of the stream canyon and upper elevations of the property.

Pacini Project Approved over SMD Objections

On August 11th, despite the objections of Save Mount Diablo and neighbors in Morgan Territory, the Board of Supervisors reapproved without major changes the Pacini/ Mountain Meadows Phase II development. A successful lawsuit on Sept. 17, 1991 overturned a previous approval under the County's old General Plan.

The highly visible project, on prominent knolls just east of Morgan Territory Road, completely divides 95 acres into 46 lots, fragmenting a stretch of Marsh Creek's riparian forest into private ownerships and violating new General Plan language calling for the

protection of scenic hillsides. The Supervisors failed even to include a public trail across the property. Outgoing Supervisor Nancy Fahden reversed her previous opposition to the project, voting in favor. Thanks to the City of Clayton and to Supervisors Sunne McPeak and Tom Powers for their support of our position.

Recently, neighbors again filed suit against the new approval which violates ridge and slope protection in the County's new general plan. We'll keep you posted

Shooting stars, Photo: Bob Walker Archives, courtesy of the Independent Documentary Group

The grassland hills at center are threatened by the Black Oak Estates development . Photo by Bob Walker.