One nice Sunday, I took Darby to Las Trampas for a hike. We parked at the turnout at the bottom of the Chamise Trail, a short distance from the parking lot at the end of the road, and started off up the Chamise Trail. Those first few switchbacks up the hill are always a little hard, coming right at the start. We turned right on the Trapline Trail, and followed it up a steep little ravine. Soon it breaks out of the woods and keeps climbing in rocky chaparral. It seemed quite warm for February, and I slowly pushed myself on up to the top of the ridge.
Just over the top, there is one of my favorite spots. A long, low rib of sandstone breaking out of a grassy hillside below hilltop oaks makes it special. As usual, I stopped again for a couple of photos. We branched left on the Sulphur Springs Trail and descended into a little canyon. At the bottom, there is the spring, piped into three old bathtubs. We climbed again to the top of another ridge, now overlooking Danville to the east, looking quite near below. We turned right on the Del Amigo Trail and followed the ridge around to where it joins the main ridge, and back to the spot with the sandstone rib. The chaparral included lots of a Ceanothus variety that was covered with puffy white blossoms.
We continued northwest along the ridge, enjoying some nice views, and came back down on the Chamise Trail to complete a figure 8 route. It was a good workout for me -- hard enough to get me tired but not worn out. It's hard to tell how it was for Darby. It seems that no matter how far we go, he is always up for it, running around chasing lizards and squirrels and not looking tired. But when we are done, he will sleep for a few hours.
3.3 mi. -- 1150 ft. up and down
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