Diablo Watch Issue 18 Spring 1996

Save Mount Diablo Celebrates

Twenty-Five Years of Success

EXCERPTED FROM AN ARTICLE BY ART BONWELL

Editors Note: Art Bonwell co-founded Save Mount Diablo in 1971 with Dr. Mary Bowerman, who wrote the book on Mount Diablo-Th e Fl owe ri11g Plants and Fems of Mount Diab/a , Cal fornia , He served as president from 1973 to 1977, and recently rejoined the Board of Directors after returning to California.

In this issue of Diablo Watch I'll recount the story of SMD' s founding and our accomplishments in SMD' s first decade. If there's a theme, it's that a small group of volunteers can indeed make a great difference.

Many of the things that made Contra Costa County special in 1971 are ones with which you're familiar today. We're blessed with a gorgeous landscape. Our hills and ridges are exceptional. Above

Art Bonwell & Mary Bowerman, SMD Co-Founders. all, are the peaks of Mount Diab lo. What has changed is the level of development. Extraordinary changes in land use development took place during the 1960' sand helped lead to Save Mount Diab lo' s formation.

Public perception at the time was that the State Park included the entire mountain. The truth was the State Park stood alone at the summit and down to Rock City, a solitary 6,788 acres. Except for the drive to the summit, one could not easily get into the Park. None of the low elevation staging areas or trails existed and some of us became increasingly alarmed as subdivisions started creeping up to the mountain's foothills. At meetings of local conservation groups Dr. Bowerman would rise to ask 'What can we do to help save Mount Diab lo'. Finally I responded, why don't we start a group to focus on expanding the State Park? Dr. Bowerman provided the inspiration, I helped get things organized, and on December 7, 1971 we held our first meeting.

continued on page 8

Sacramento News

The changes in Sacramento in the last year have been challenging for users and lovers of parks. The good news is that the Governor's state budget, released January 10, apportioned $16.5 million in additional money from the General Fund to State Parks to make up for supplements no longer available. The Governor should be commended for this help to the State Park System.

The bad news ' is that many bills have been submitted to the Legislature which can put park land in jeopardy. These range from more major cuts in the budgets of regulatory and park agencies to crippling amendments to the California Endangered Species Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.

The deliberations are going on with little public input. Now is the opportunity to tell those who represent us of your support of parks and the environment.

continued on page 9

Board of Directors

Susan Watson President

Robert E. Doyle Vice-President

Linda Mehlman Secretary

Judson Mygatt Treasurer

Art Bonwell Director

Paul Choisser Director

Susan D'Alcamo Director

Charlice Danielsen Director

Don deFremery Director

Stephen Joseph Director

Amara Koss Director

Steven Mehlman Director

Bob Nunn Director

Allan Prager Director

Malcolm Sproul Director Staff

Seth Adams Program Director

Carol Campbell Development Director

Patrice Moran Administrative Assistant

Hil<e the Diablo Trail

Trailhead: Curry Point staging area, Southgate Road Distance: 7 Miles round-trip Time To Go: Wildflowers are best in midspring. Before sunset the west-facing rocky cliffs often glow pink. Avoid going immediately after rains which make some areas muddy, although much of the route has sandy soils.

Mount Diab lo' s Knobcone Point area, named for its pines, is a little known hidden treasure. It can be reached by the newly approved Diablo Trail, although signs aren't in place, yet. You'll see spectacular landscapes onlanddonatedinpart during the 1970's and 80' s as a condition of approval for Black hawk. Boulder outcroppings float on waves of chaparral draining into Sycamore Creek and on to Blackhawk. The wild area east of the Point resembles a box

Knobcone Point - Mt. Diablo canyon out of a Hollywood western with dramatic rock strata and cliffs riddled with hundreds of wind-caves.

At the Curry Point staging area on Southgate Road take note of the large Gray (formerly 'Digger') pine-the only tree at the parking area; contrastitlaterwithits darker knobcone cousins, Views stretch to Diablo's summit; southeast to Knobcone and Oyster Points, with Highland Ridge beyond; west to Rock City and the San Ramon Valley.

The fire road immediately splits left to Curry Canyon. Go straight along the ridge line between Curry and Sycamore Canyons. The Trail rides the ridge over one small knoll after another. Wind-swept slopes are bright in spring with yellow grass pansies and buttercups. Soon the view opens down Sycamore Canyon, its main and west branches meeting above Blackhawk. In summer, listen for the distant howling of coyotes.

Another rise and pyramid-shaped Oyster Point stands before you, past Knobcone' s

rock strata. Slopes toward Knobcone are painted with a mosaic of greens and grayspines, bays and oaks. Toward the mountain's summit, another mosaic is visible-grassy slopes, chaparral, and the peak's rock outcroppings.

At .6 miles the Devil's Slide trail cuts off; save it for another day and continue on to the next knoll. You'll leave the grassland behind for oak woodland with new wildflow continued on page 7

Charitable Bequests

By adding a simple paragraph to your will, you can help ensure the continued acquisition of threatened open space and preservation of Mount Diablo for future generations. Save Mount Diablo appreciates gifts of funds or real property .

For more Informati on , contact SMO at (510) 229-4275

Proposition 197 -A No Vote - Here's Why

In 1990, the voters of California handily passed Proposition 117, the Mountain Lion Initiative after hundreds of thousands of signatures collected by volunteers such as Save Mount Diablo placed the measure on the ballot. The Mountain Lion Initiative provided a balanced approach to managing the limited mountain lion population in California. It outlawed the sport hunting of mountain lions. It also dedicated $30 million a year from the General Fund for acquisition of wildlife habitat state wide. At the same time, it authorized the Department of Fish and Game to manage/kill lions when populations threatened human safety or property. Private citizens could also obtain permits to kill a lion perceived to be a threat to human safety or property.

Proposition 197 would gut this balanced approach. Instead, it will allow commercial hunting of mountain lions and divert some habitat funding to other purposes. Despite its

proponents claims, Proposition 197 is not about saving you and your family from the danger of being attacked by mountain lions. Many western states have laws allowing the hunting of mountain lions, but, interestingly enough, attacks on livestock and humans are historically greater in those states than in California where there has been a ban on hunting for many years.

While your chances of even seeing one of these elusive creatures are remote, your chances of being attacked by one are about on the order of being hit by a meteorite - yes, both can and have happened, but it is extremely rare. You really have to watch out for two legged predators, but you have little to fear from those four legged ones.

D t' not ju l. n th -•r 1ring; it' a very p ial prmg! Y ·, I kn w • every pring i .p cia 'l wh •n w our rn untain clotf, ed in spring wi Id fl wersa nd cro wned \ ilh April ki But , thii. sprin mark ave fount Diablo's twentv-fiftti v ·ar in the busin of pnnarving Mount Oiablo So, you ee, it is a pecial time.

The board of director s has decided that th best way of celebrating thi - m il 'tone is to give frequ nt hike throug hout the year to all ~•r fav rite pla es and t the places where Save Mount Diablo has directly influe nced purchase and preservation. (Yes, there is a considerable overlap between the two, and, ves, this means most of the mountain!)

This also means that evervone is invit ed to join n or aU o{ tlie hikes. ome with u. yea remini~ e, to e111·oy your fa pla nd to ce lebra l'C t iat you - y • mad hi happen over ive

A quar ter f a ce ntury i a l ng tim Babies born in 1971 ha ve grow n up and may be parents th rn elves b thi tirn Wh en we think abo ut it, thou h, it i a ho rt time to talk about the needs of futu.rc g enerations. ave Mount Diablo kid are b ing born and are Ir ady growing up, nd n ther twen ty five year will bring grandchildren ll ' no.>ver t o _ o n to ta lk ab,,ut the future the y should expect to inherit; our only worry should be that it should not be too lat

So why do the supporters of Proposition 197 want to get rid of Proposition 117? The professional sport hunting industry has always opposed the banning of commercial trophy hunts and it is this industry that has placed Prop. 197 on the ballot. Furthermore, there are some in this state who don't want to see any money go to purchasing public land for wildlife habitat. The backers of Proposition 197 have said that this is the first part of efforts to repeal other citizens' initiatives of 1990s.

Prop. 117 funds are about all the state has left for habitat acquisition. State Parks uses some of it. Save Mount Diablo has looked into bringing some of it to Contra Costa County. When Prop.117 was put before the voters to protect this important part of California's wildlife heritage, the voters of this state said an enthusiastic "Yes". On Proposition 197, the hunting lobby's attempt to revoke the mountain lion initiative, you know what to say. Just say no.

sponsorship

BE A DIABLO WATCH SPONSOR.

Page sponsors to help us offset the cost of printing and mailing this newsletter are welcome and can be thanked on these pages.

This page of Diablo Watch is supported by the bequest of Dan and Barbara Reid, of Diab lo.

In a quarter of a cen tury , Mount Diablo late "Park h as grown from under 7,000 a res to al1nost 20,000 acr~ In this tim , three regional parks in the area have been cre11ted - Diablo Foothills with a ti Rock Recr<!ation A r a, M rgan Tcrrit ry R ~iona l Pre erve, and Bia I.. Diamond Mme lkgion,J Hi t ri Pre• 0 rve A f urlh reg• nal park - I und Va ll e, · - i being f rm d . Th C nt ra o~ta Water D1 r icl embar ked up n buyin water h ed land for Los Vaqu eros Re ervoir - near! , 20,000 a cres of open land hav e 1,ow b en pre · rved _

In this time, Save Mount Diablo has pur ha ed five pi es ofland. Four hav lreac! ' become Slat Par land, and a fifth, haparr.il pring, we h 1d13radford, a xl hJlal'C<! l, will cum l U!> :. us tod ian • in I future

What will the future hold for us?

Predictions are alwavs both ominous and prom.i mg, but two · things I knuw will remain tead>• - our dedication l l,r, erving th bea ut y and up nm;>q<; r and for all Ollr hlldren and their children ,md your lov e of Mount Diablo, which expresses itself in your generous support.

m - let us enjov thi year of refle cti 11 of thing past and thtn AS to come by vi ilin g the man spe i.l plac of this de, rand lovely mo unt , in

Your No Vote on Prop 197 will help provide continued funding for wildlife habitat.

Diablo Wild Things

THE MT. DIABLO FAIRY LANTERN

The Mt. Diablo Fairy Lantern (Calochortus pulchellus), or globe lily, is found only in the Mount Diablo region; it is among the most beautiful and rarest bulb plants in the world. The Mt. Diab lo Fairy Lantern is relatively common in the wooded or brushy northern hillsides of Mount Diab lo. Its preservation

is likel y since much of its range has been acquired as public open space but, becaus e globe lilies take from 3-5 years from seed to flower, they are especially hard hit by feral pigs, which root for their bulbs . It bloom s from May to June with bright greenish-yellow three-p e taled globes which hang from the stem, to be followed by winged seed pods. It was included in the first botanical collections made on Mt. Diablo, by W.H. Brewer of the State Geological Survey in 1862. He climbed one of the moist northern canyons from Clayton to the summit, reporting that heavy rains had" greened up" the area marvelously, "as only California can be in the spring". "I doubt if there are half a dozen days in the year so favorable-everything was just righ t...the atmosphere of matchless purity and transparency". You can see the Mt. Diablo Fairy Lantern flowering in the same canyons Brewer did (Donner, Back and Mitchell Canyons, and also at Three Springs) in late spring.

The Diablo Trail Takes Off

In 1993 Save Mount Diablo proposed the Diablo Trail, to showcase regional cooperation that has preserved lands from Walnut Creek to Brentwood. The multi-use (hiking, bicycling, equestrian) Trail will stretch through six different public open spaces and cover over 26 miles.

In 1996 SMD will begin volunteer work to implement the Trail through 14 miles in the State Park. We will place Trail medallions (see "Contest", page 7) and directional arrows on recently installed sign posts.

The public had an opportunity to hike the Diablo Trail this past Fall, when SMD Director Don De Fremery led a four day series of hikes along its length. The series was so popular, it is being repeated this spring during the wildflower season as part of Save Mount Diab lo' s 25th Anniversary. This series will end in Round Valley Regional Park, which should open to the public later this year. Details are included in the enclosed Hike Schedule.

Save Mount Diablo 25th Anniversary Hike Series

Save Mount Diab lo will celebrate its 25th Anniversary throughout 1996. In addition to other events, we will sponsor hikes to locations around the mountain that, with your help, we have been instrumental in preserving The first of these hikes are included in the enclosed April on the Mountain hike schedule. Future issues of Diab lo Watch will include additional hikes. Board member Don De Fremery will lead a series of four day hikes along the entire length of the Diablo Trail (which SMD is sponsoring) on April 20, May 5 and 19, and June 2. In May, Susan r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7

Watson will hike the Fire Interpre- I Yes! I want to help celebrate Save Mount Diablo's 25th Anniversary I tiv eTrail, whichhonorsSMDfounder I with my donation! I Mary Bowerman. We hope to see I

We also hope that each of our supporters will make a special donation for our 25th Anniversary so we can enter our second 25 years with a strong base from which to redouble our efforts to acquire and protect land on and around the mountain. I (P.O. Box 5376, Walnut Creek, CA 94596)

This beautiful and rare flower is found only in the Mount Diablo region.

View of Diablo Trail Below Shell Ridge

Save Mount Diab lo gratefully acknowledges the 1995 contributions of its members. Their donations have enabled SMD to continue to preserve and protect these special lands for generations of future Californians. When you enjoy the mountain, remember the many individuals, organizations, businesses and foundations whose generosity makes possible the preservation of our open spaces.

$20,000 +

The San Francisco Foundation

$1,000 - $5,000

The Bank of San Ramon Valley

Burton C. Bogardus

Mrs. Burton W. Bogardus

Marion Greene

The Maisel Foundation

John W. Schieffelin, MD

Dr. Marian D. Scott

Richard & Sandra Smith

Y. A. Soda Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Vern Van V lear

Stephen & Margaret Wilcox

$500- $999

Les & Susan Mann

Doug Richardson

Joseph E. Seagram & Son

Laurie Shapley

George & Helena Strauss

Jacob Van Akkeren & Leslie Bartholic

Betty J. Woolverton

$200-$499

Sandra A vanessian

The Barth Foundation

Braddock & Logan Group

James & Carol Butler

Louise Harvey Clark

R. Ken Coit

John & Charli Danielsen

Mr. & Mrs. James Day

Jack & Ami Ditzel

Richard & Barbara Eakin

Sidney C. Fluhrer

Donna Fogel

Susana C. Fousekis

GATX Corporation

Dale Gieringer

Mr. & Mrs. Lee Glasgow

Joseph & Betty Goldstein

W. C. Hageman

Corinne Cullen Hawkins

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Klyver

Amara & Charles Koss

Mr. & Mrs. Ellsworth LaBoyteaux

Maynard Munger

Dr. & Mrs. Francis A. Munson,

Hal & Bea Neetz

Craig A. Nielsen, MD

Donald & Georg Palmer

Nancy & Tom Patten

Theodore & Marjorie Plant

Paul Popenoe, Jr.

Allan & Kit Prager

Nancy Rampani

JanJ. Richardson

William G. Robinson

Leslie A. Rosenfeld

Subir & Mary ELizabeth Sanyal

Mrs. Arlene Scoles

William Sharp

David Short

Sandor & Faye Straus

Paul & Beatrice Stunz

Jeanne Thomas

The Walnut Creek Garden Club

Susan Watson

Wild Birds Unlimited

Ronald A. Zampa

$100-$199

Anonymous

Andrew & Judy Adler

Fanny H. Arnold

Henri Audiffred

Louise Baldwin

Mr. & Mrs. Claude P. Benedix

The Berkeley Garden Club

Barbara Bocheff

Elmer E. Brinckerhoff, MD

Wesley & Shaida Clark

Charles R. Clem

Nicholas Clinch

William & Carol Cochran

Paul Craig

Toni Crowley

Peter J. Davis

Donald de Fremery

Linda Domeier

John S. Edwards

Heather & Fred Estes

Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Evans

Ana Fien

George & Toni Finger

Meribeth & J.J. Fisher

Martha E. Flannery

Kathleen A. Fordham

Joan Fox

Barbara Fuller

Mary Ann Gaebe

Barbara George

Gary & Judy Ginder

Diana & William Granados

Stacey Gralund

Jeff & Judy Greenhouse

Michael & Su Verne Griffiths

Patricia Hamilton

Jo Ann Hanna

Barbara Hauser

James & Sandra Heuerman

Ruth E. Hill

Sandra & Tom Hill

Richard F. Hoedt, Jr.

Ms. Marjorie Hogle

Joan & Sandy Hughes

William & Lesley Hunt

Donald & Lorelle Hunt

A. Stephen & Mary Hutchcraft

Donald M. Jones

I. M. Jones

Linda Judd

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Kelley

Paul Kephart

Mr. & Mrs. John Kiefer

Elizabeth King-Sloan

Patricia Klahn

Jax & Judy Kneppers

Helen L. Knopp

Alan & Joan Kunz

Elsa & Ellsworth La Boyteaux

Donna Lee & Pete Gontier

Jeffrey & Deborah Leighton

Robert & Barbara Lester

The Lindsay Museum

I. V. Lindskoog

Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Longnecker

Paul & Carol Lou

James & Shirley Lynch

John & Dorothy Matthews

Kermit M. McKemie

John M. McKillen III

Robert McClain

Joan McCracken

Michael & Jeanine McNamara

Irene A. McNiven

Samuel & Mary Mills

Mr. & Mrs. James R.Moore

Robert & Patrice Moran

Neil & Frederica Moran

Mrs. Kathrine Morgan

Marion C. Murdoch

Theron F. Nelson

David & Margaret Nicholas

Shirley Nunn

Marjorie S. Oliver

Mr. & Mrs. T. E. O'Neil

William & Phyllis O'Neil

David Odgen

Orinda Garden Club

Mr. & Mrs. John Ormond

Neal & Barbara Owen

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Papdopoulas

Anita Pearson

Elizabeth Pelletier

Susan Peters

Marcus & Susan Picker

Mauricia Price

Charles Purvis

Mr. & Mrs. James Redmond

Barr & June Rosenberg

Susanne B. Rudy

Angela St. Leger

Allen W. Sanborn

Mrs. Leanore Sanderson

Peter Sansevero

Mr. Alfred Sattler

Mr. & Mrs. William Sattler

Janet Schalk

Anthony Schilling, MD

Christine Schmidt

Theodore Schmidt

Maddy Schubarth

Edward Schoenbart

The Charles Schwab Corp. Foundation

Alfred M. Schwitalla

Andrew Sessler

Muir Sorrick Shank

Edward & Merry Sierecki

Harry J. Sommer

Greg & Anne Sorenson

Dean Stoker

Ingrid Svensson-Dillon

George & Helena Thacher

H. Rex Thomas

Larry Thompson

Dr. & Mrs. Michael Tomcik

Frank & Barbara Varenchik

Scott P. Vasquez

Michael & Joyce Wahlig

Clifford J. Walker

Robert Walker

Scott Weston

Robert & Karen Witherell

David Whippy & Alan Whippy

Kenneth Winters

Betsy Wobus

Alice Bernice Woodhead

Melva 0. Woods

Donald & Carolyn Zerby

Gal en Zinn

We would like to be able to recognize by name the more than 320 people who donated between $50 and $99 and the over 580 donors who contributed amounts up to $49, but there is not the space to do so. Please accept our sincere thanks for your overwhelming support..

Sav e Mount Diablo wishes to recognize the following gifts made in honor of or in mem ory of others. Thes e gifts were received between July 1, 1995 and December 31, 1995.

In Honor Of

Fred & Flora Baumann

Sue & Peter Graf

Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Campbell

Jack & Michelle Campbell

Brian Clegg

Pauline Clegg

Sheila Denton

Geoffrey & Sally Bellenger

Gene Donaldson

Richard Smith

Der/am Giuliani

Jerry Powell

My Grand chi ldren,

Kathleen, Alexis, Alyssa & Ryan

Susan Watson

Kyl e Heuemwn

Jim Heuerman

Path), Charlie & Spencer Houston

Mitzi Jarvis

Gay e Lending

Linda Lipson

Barbara Ma cke y

Audrey O'Brien

Harry Mazza - 011 his 85th Birthday

Johnson & Louise Harvey Clark

Da n McGovern

Kati e McGovern

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Moerbeck

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Bataey

The Monroe Family

Donna & Gordon Monroe

George & Delores Oxs en

Margaret Inderbitzen

Lee & Sophie Peregrine

Lloyd & Carole Mason

Paul & Randy Oakes/wit

Kay & Pete Oakeshott

Dr. Prakash Raygor

Ramesh Kansara

Z ita Richardson

Jan Richardson

Virgil Richmond

Ruth Hill

Jim Rose

Shirley Hendricks

Frances Sargent

Martin Sargent

Mr. & Mrs. William Sattler

Joyce Sattler

Shirley Shotwell

John M. Roebuck

Brandt Weibezalm

Nancy Weibezahn

Ken Winters

Juli e Grisham

In Memory Of

Mary C. Bloomer

Charles Bloomer, Jr.

Tom Bowdle

Mr. & Mrs. R. L. Cheek

Virgil Bozarth

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Fink

Mr. & Mrs. William Sattl er

Betty Burton

Alvira Vallado

June Chang

Standard Oil Retirees' Asso ciation

A.]. Clark, Mt. Diablo Silverado Council,

Boy Scouts of America

John Tullis

Patrick Casey & Family

Jane Kavert

Warren H. Curtis

Ruth Curtis

Doris & Arthur John son

Janet Mackenzie

Jacklyn & George Mackenzie

Carolyn McKay

Donald McKay

Karon McKay

Doris Danforth

Ivy Danforth

Kevin Doyl e Greene

Dorothy Gaschk

Vince Hamilton's Mother

Ash & Lissa Mehta

Jean Hauser

Barbara Hauser

Mary Lynn Hornbeck

Susan Watson

Harry M. Ide

Charles & Marjorie Evans

Anna M. Nigro

H. S. Nigro

Mat Orvik

Sue Orvik

Josephine & Edwin Pillsbury

Susan Pillsbury Nagel

Terri Preston

Barbara Boyle, MD

John Raventos

Patricia Donegan and Children

Marie Elizabeth Reilly

Mickey Reilly

Lewis B. Reyno lds

Marian A. Reynolds

Susan Reynolds

Gilb ert Rhodes

Marvin & Carolyn Schick

David Rolens

Donna Rolens

Su Stauffer

Nancy Biglow

Donald & Toni

Crowley

Mrs. Franc Ingraham

Jon Lindbergh & Karen Pryor

Martha Martin

N eil & Frederica Moran

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Papadopoulos

Angela St. Leg er

Rowland Tabor

Christine Wellman

Barbara Wheatland

Bob Wylie

Tom & Beverly Gorman

Heritage Tree Sponsors

Save Mount Diab/a wishes to thank the following businesses and individuals for their contributions to the Heritage Trees and Commemorative Grove Programs in 1995.

Barbara Boyle, M.D.

The Family and Friends of

Warren H. Curtis

The Family and Friends of Su Stauffer

Julie Grisham

The Live Collections Teams of the Lindsay Museum

Gordon and Donna Monroe

Virginia and Elmer Novotny

Mickey Reilly

Paul and Beatrice Stunz

The Save A Tree for a ChickadeeDonors

Carl E. Walter

Susan Watson

Wild Birds UnJimited

On-Going Developments

Sand Quarry Draft Environmental Impact Report Expected This Spring

Braddock & Logan has proposed a mixed housing and commercial project for the 80 acre' old Sand Quarry' site on the south side of Ygnacio Valley Road, opposite Cowell Road. Rising up the lo pes of Lime Rid ge and adj ac nt to Lim Ridge Op en Space, the sit e was formerly us ed for q u arrying limestone and and but has not been used commercially since the early 1970's. A draft Environmental Impact Report is due in Ap~il. At that time, the public will have the opportunity to comment. There are significant constraints on the site, including landslides which may extend into Lime Ridge Open Space, and additional studies have been required, including trapping for the threatened Alameda whipsnake.

Save Mount Diablo has been meeting with Concord Council members to discuss our concerns about the project, to request a significant dedication of part of the site to Lime Ridge Open Space and to communicate our opposition to any plan that would require grading in L.R. Open Space For notice of the availability of the draft Environmental Impact Report, or to communicate your concerns, write: Janet Homrighausen, City of Concord, Dept, of Comm Development, 1950 Parkside Drive; M/S 24, Concord, CA 94519, or City Council, at the same street address.

Diablo Trail Contest

We Need Your Ideas

If you ' ve hiked portions of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, you may have noticed the distinctive, colorful three inch circular medallions identifying the Trail at staging areas and on trail signposts . The logo for the Ridge Trail is a small map of the Bay Area with a dotted red line showing the Trail circling the Bay ridges. Save Mount Diablo needs an equally distinctive logo for signposts along the Diab lo Trail. Mail your sketches or ideas by April 30th to SMD-Diablo Trail Logo; P.O. Box 5376, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. (Drawings will not be returned.) The winner, whose design is selected, will get to see their design on the Trail, receive a medallion, and be invited to a special hike along the Trail.

Hike the Diablo Trail to Knobcone Point

ers . Toyon (Christmas Berry) is plentiful, flowering May to June and reddening with berries in late Fall. In spring the trail edge is crowded with yellow bush monkey-flowers.

At 1.0 mile (1.6 km) a Y-split in the Trail continues right on the Diablo Trail/Black Hawk Ridge fire road and drops steeply into Sycamore Canyon. Its V-shaped mouth frames rock strata and De'vil' s Slide. Southgate Rd. and the Park toll booth are above to the right. Watch for the thick red Indian Warriors, which begin blooming in February.

Knobcone pines are clearly visible as you descend into the canyon, with darker needles than the gray pines. Live oaks are joined by blue oaks as Blackhawk Ridge begins framing the view. Floating on the basin's thermals, you'll see turkey vultures cresting the ridge then wheeling back over the rocks.

In spring hundreds of small mariposa lilies bloom at trail side, followed by yellow Mt. Diablo globe lilies. Like the Diablo manzanita (red-trunk, grayish leaves attached directly to branches without stems), it is found only on Mt. Diablo. In Fall hanging 'fairy lanterns' are replaced by 3-winged seed pods. You'll soon reach the creek's moss-covered rocks, sycamores and big leaf maples. Coveys of quail (more common in wet years) feed along

the road and gray foxes leave manzanita seeded scat as calling cards.

The trail splits three ways-sharply right to Devil's Slide, left to a dead end, or your path onward less sharply right, steeply up slope. Stop often to look back to the mountain's summit. Above the trail are big groves of mossy buckeyes and, in spring, waves of green saucer-shaped miner's lettuce. The trail levels and you emerge into a grassy meadow with Oyster Point ahead. This saddle between the two watersheds-Tassajara Creek ahead, Sycamore behind-makes a good turn around point and picnic spot.

Barely discernible ahead, the Diablo Trail descends through two more stream canyons on its way to Oyster Point. To the right are trails joining on Blackhawk Ridge. Left, a short unnamed trail drops into the Tassajara Creek drainage. Walk a few hundred feet in to view the pitted sandstone cliff faces. In late spring, among many other raptors flying overhead, you might see peregrine falcons. A half mile further, the trail ends at the creek, with its pools , animal tracks, and walls of moss and ferns. Be careful not to damage these fragile areas. After you ' ve explored, retrace your steps back to Curry Point.

SMD Celebrates 25 years cont'd

frompagel

SMD was initially made up of representatives from organizations-city recreation commissions, hiking, biking and horsemen's clubs, an archery club, the AAUW, the Siemi Club, the Park Council, etc.- whoever we thought might have an interest. Our strategies were that 'hard work pays off' and 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease'. Our goal was to protect and preserve Mount Diablo, primarily by pushing for legislative attention and state park bond acts. We wanted a narrow focus on the mountain and avoided other issues. We were willing to roll up our sleeves and take every opportunity to get the word out so that the public would respond. At our first meeting we passed the hat and collected 25 cents each to send out the minutes, an action which has led to 25 years of careful deliberation on how public donations are used.

Peg Kovar, our first president, soon moved on to the Walnut Creek City Council. In 1974 she helped create the Walnut Creek Open Space system on the mountain's foothills (Shell Ridge), in response to a condominium development proposal near Indian Valley. In 1976 Concord and Walnut Creek jointly acquired part of Lime Ridge. Simultaneously, the East Bay Regional Park District began work on three new regional preserves - Black Diamond Mines (1973) to the north, Morgan Territory (1975) to the east, and Diablo Foothills (1976) between Shell Ridge Open Space and the State Park.

Before long, SMD decided that one of the best ways to spur acquisition would be to help raise money ourselves to acquire land. In 1976 we made our first acquisition, 117 acres at the corner of Marsh Creek and Morgan Territory Roads, strategically expanding the State Park to the northeast.

Our work paid off. The organization became the key in the preservation of Mount Diab lo, and developed great credibility with the public and with government. The SMD Board of Directors has always been one of the hardest working group of volunteers I've known. Dr. Bowerman met with landowners and pressed State Park officials and legislators year after year, 'What are you doing for Mt. Diablo'. Assemblyman (after words) Senator John Nejedly answered with a legislative tradition of working hard to find money to expand the parks Work continued by his successor Dan Boatwright. Gen and Bill Sattler wore out shoe leather carrying petitions and shouldered the big jobs of secretary and treasurer. Bob Doyle, who began working with SMD after finishing high school, became one of its most dynamic presidents in 1978. Later, he became an Assistant General Manager for the East Bay Regional Park District.

The group had a membership of 1000 and an annual budget of less than $30,000. In its early years, SMD's largest public donations came from school kids - SANE-Save America's Natural Environment, radio marathon fundraising campaigns at KVHS Clayton Valley High, the Ygnacio Valley H.S. Ecology Club, etc. Most of our fundraising was labor intensive-raffles, walkathons, thousands of requests for donations prepared by volunteers. SMD has received much help since 1974 from our sister organization the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association along with important support from the Lindsay Museum, the Contra Costa Times, and in particular from Gary Bogue, the Contra Costa Times columnist who has used his column to raise money and awareness for SMD.

At that time, SMD did not directly acquire many parcels, but it was the leader in funding and negotiations for many of the State and Regional Park acquisitions and we were increasingly active in pursuing dedications of open space when development projects were approved. The State Park expanded to include two other major peaks, North Peak and Mount Olympia and three major canyons, Mitchell, Donner, and Back, were acquired on the northside. Major additions came from the Blackhawk and Danville development dedications on the south. New acquisitions in Pine Canyon began the campaign to connect the State Park, Diablo Foothills Regional Park and Shell Ridge Open Space on the west. Low elevation park entrances were created in Walnut Creek, Mitchell Canyon, Emmons Canyon and along Morgan Territory Road.

In 1977, the mountain was designated a State Historical landmark. From 6,788 acres in 1971, Mount Diablo State Park doubled in size to 13,562 acres in 1980. Additions to other agencies holdings included another 7,800 acres.

In 1980 SMD incorporated as a non-profit corporation. Over the years, SMD's 'representative' structure has been a committed Board of Directors. As an all volunteer organization, Save Mount Diablo was justifiably proud of 'getting Mount Diablo a lot more attention'. Our first decade of volunteer effort was something we can all be proud of, particularly as we hike the land now preserved.

To Be Continued In The Next Issue of Diablo Watch-SMD in the 1980's

Park Ne-ws

Black Diamond Mines Regional Park (EBRPD)

- Superintendent Roger Epperson is garnering m edia attention with his proj ect to restore tombstones in the Rose Hill cemetery (a short walk from the Somers ville Road staging area above Antioch). Steve Moller, a Mining Museum Supervisor, has been hired with the primary goal of re-opening the Mining Museum.

Lime Ridge Open Space (Cities of Walnut Creek and Concord)- Later this year, Walnut Creek staff will present the council with proposals to open upper Lime Ridge to the public. The first stages of work will begin this spring, including entrance gates, access trails and signs Trail Days work is planned for April 27th (call 943-5899 x 561 to RSVP) and several public hikes are scheduled for spring (see schedule).

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Watershed (CCWD) - There have been an unusual number of bobcat and coyote sightings, probably attributable to large populations of ground squirrels. Land acquisition is 90 % complete and will conclude this summer Reservoir related acreage will total 19,408 acres - the watershed is 17,803 acr es. Dam construction is underway and can be viewed from the old Vasco Road It is scheduled to b e completed in the summer of 1997, with an additional 12-18 months to fill the reservoir. A Resource Management Plan for the watershed was just authorized by the Board In August, CCWD will begin developing the recreation program designed to conserve the tranquillity of the watershed.

Sacramento News . .. continued from pag e 1

Recreational use could begin in 1998. The first valley oak and wetland construction projects are underway and expected to be completed this spring, including 2000 valley oak seedlings (from acorns gathered nearby) at two sites. The first six wetlands areas are being expanded or created to establish new perennial and semi-permanent wetlands, using wetlands soils and seeds stockpiled from areas along the new Vasco Road.

Morgan Territory Regional Park (EBRPD)-The staging area is being expanded and bathrooms upgraded An operating agreement is in place with the State Park for the EBRPD's management of the Musco Ranch. Marsh Creek is running beautifully; if you haven't seen it, try the Coyote Trail which runs alongside through thickets of incredible grape vines and past jumbles of moss-covered boulders. MT is still the best place in Contra Costa to see golden eagles. Like most of the area's parks, pig damage is way up after 1995 ' s wet winter.

Mt. Diablo State Park (State Dept. of Parks and Recreation)Waterfalls and streams are running nicely. The December storms continued on pa ge 10

Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 Legi slators can be reached in Sacram ento at: Senator Dan Boatwright, 3086 State Capit ol; As se mblyman Bob Campb eII , 2163 State Capitol; Assemblyman Richard Rainey, 4015 State Capitol all in Sa cram ento, CA 95814 . County Supe r vis ors Jim Rogers, Jeff Smith, Gayl e Bishop, Mark DeSaulnier, and Tom Torlakson can be reached at Board of Sup ervisors, County Admin istration Building, 651 Pine Str ee t, Martinez, CA 94553. Check your phone book's governm ent pa ges (in the front) for City Council and oth er a ddres ses.

Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers

Save Mount Diablo is looking for volunteers for a variety of tasks. SMD is sponsoring the restoration of a Bunchgrass grassland at Mitchell Canyon and needs volunteers to help with the project. We also seek volunteers for the Fundraising (financial or fundraising skills desirable but not necessary), Publications (desktop publishing, photography, layout skills desirable but not necessary), and Land Use (planning or other technical skills useful) Committees.

For more info about any of these volunteer opportunities, please call Program Director Seth Adams at (510) 229-4275

Park Ne-ws

Black Diamond Mines Regional Park (EBRPD)

- Superintendent Roger Epperson is garnering media attention with his project to restore tombstones in the Rose Hill cemetery (a short walk from the Somersville Road staging area above Antioch) . Steve Moller, a Mining Museum Supervisor, has been hired with the primary goal ofre-opening the Mining Museum .

Lime Ridge Open Space (Cities of Walnut Creek and Concord)- Later this year, Walnut Creek staff will present the council with proposals to open upper Lime Ridge to the public. The first stages of work will begin this spring, including entrance gates, access trails and signs. Trail Days work is planned for April 27th (call 943-5899 x 561 to RSVP) and several public hikes are scheduled for spring (see schedule).

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Watershed (CCWD) - There have been an unusual number of bobcat and coyote sightings, probably attributable to large populations of ground squirrels. Land acquisition is 90% complete and will conclude this summer. Reservoir related acreage will total 19,408 acres - the watershed is 17,803 acres. Dam construction is underway and can be viewed from the old Vasco Road It is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 1997, with an additional 12-18 months to fill the reservoir. A Resource Management Plan for the watershed was just authorized by the Board. In August, CCWD will begin developing the recreation program designed to conserve the tranquillity of the watershed.

Sacramento News ... continued from pag e 1

Recreational use could begin in 1998. The first valley oak and wetland construction projects are underway and expected to be completed this spring, including 2000 valley oak seedlings (from acorns gathered nearby) at two sites. The first six wetlands areas are being expanded or created to establish new perennial and semi-permanent wetlands, using wetlands soils and seeds stockpiled from areas along the new Vasco Road.

Mor gan Territory Regional Park (EBRPD)-The staging area is being expanded and bathrooms upgraded. An operating agreement is in place with the State Park for the EBRPD's management of the Musco Ranch. Marsh Creek is running beautifully; if you haven't seen it, try the Coyote Trail which runs alongside through thickets of incr edible grape vines and past jumbles of moss-covered boulders. MT is still the best place in Contra Costa to see golden eagles. Like most of the area's parks, pig damage is way up after 1995' s wet winter

Mt. Diablo State Park (State Dept. of Parks and Recreation)Waterfalls and streams are running nicely. The December storms continu ed on page 10

Legislators can be reached in Sacramento at: Senator Dan Boatwright, 3086 State Capitol; Assemblyman Bob Campbell, 2163 State Capitol; Assemblyman Richard Rainey, 4015 State Capitol all in Sacramento, CA 95814. County Supervisors

Jim Rogers, Jeff Smith, Gayle Bishop, Mark DeSaulnier, and Tom Torlakson can be reached at Board of Supervisors, County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Check your phone book's government pages (in the front) for City Council and other addresses.

Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers

Save Mount Diablo is looking for volunteers for a variety of tasks. SMD is sponsoring the restoration of a Bunchgrass grassland at Mitchell Canyon and needs volunteers to help with the project. We also seek volunteers for the Fundraising (financial or fundraising skills desirable but not necessary), Publications (desktop publishing, photography, layout skills desirable but not necessary), and Land Use (planning or other technical skills useful) Committees.

For more info about any of these volunteer opportunities, please call Program Director Seth Adams at (510) 229-4275

Park News

continued from page 9

closed the park for several days. While there was no major damage, lots of rock and debris slid onto the roads and many tree limbs blew down. The storm blew over the private Diablo Communications tower on the main peak; temporary antennas and equipment is in the lower summit parking lot until a replacement tower is constructed State Park staff apologize for the inconvenience to park visitors. The Summit Museum is operating 10am to 5pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. A new art exhibit was recently installed. Camping fees are scheduled to increase by $1 during the peak season.

Round Vall ey Regional Park (EBRPD )- With a contract between the District and the Cowell Foundation for a 10-acre staging area on Marsh Creek Road, Round Valley should officially move from land bank status to being open to the public sometime this summer. The addition of 1,165 acres along the creek expands the preserve to 1,854 acres and allows low elevation access. The staging area is yet to be constructed, but there are several public hikes planned this spring (see schedule)

Sh ell Ridge Open Space (City of Walnut Creek)- Weather damage has been cleaned up, and plans are proceeding on developing wildlife coverage in spots outside of grazed areas around the Open Space. Saturday, June 8th is Borges Ranch Day. Weekend programs including tours of the historic residence continue as usual.

Save Mount Diablo is a non-profit501 (c)(3) conservation organization which has been preserving lands onMount Diabloandeducatingthepublictothemountain'snatural value since 1971. Preserved lands have more than tripled in that period. Save Mount Diab lo continues to raise funds to preserve the remainder of the mountain. Formore information, or to receive Save Mount Diab lo' s newsletter Diablo Watch, write to Save Mount Diablo, P.O. Box 5376, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or contact Program Director Seth Adams at (510) 229-4275.