Copyright © 2010 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

Dawn on Upper McGuire Peaks
Sunol Regional Wilderness
East Bay Park District
Sunol, California
Diablo Mountain Range
1100 ft ascent
5 miles

I hiked up here with 4 other members of my Night Photography Meet-Up group. We met at 4:45AM at Ohlone College then car pooled up to the trail head.
Donned in head lamps, and loaded with gear we headed up the trail to Upper McGuire Peaks in the dark at 5AM.
The wind started in the night blowing in from the SE at 12mph, and was gusting at 19 mph. In the open spaces at the top we really needed to stand firm and hang onto to our tripods for fear of falling. Some gusts really pushed hard.

We ran into a herd of cattle along the trail going up. Steven flashed his flashlight to frighten them off the trail. One big black cow stood firm we walked around him both cow, and human very wary of each other. I have to tell you. I was scared she would charge. They’re huge animals! We also saw a flock(?) of wild turkeys both Toms and hens on the way out of the park.

Wildflowers- I saw 2 types of Lupine Blue Pod, and miniature, California Buttercups, Fiddlenecks, Clover, Filaree, Parsnip, Phlox, Poppies, and 2 new wildflowers I hope to ID this week.

Yeah, I made it to the top. The sun is rising over Mission Peaks, and the storm we were told to expect the following day looks like it’s going to be early. We did get a light mist.

It was a great hike. A wonderful way to start the day!