Saturday, February 26, 2011

Ring Mountain Loop

Saturday morning. My usual backyard warmup before taking on the day.... I had hoped to wake up in the big snowy mountains...it was not to be. We did venture out for a local hike with views galore.
Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve.
This piece of Open Space is 367 acres, and home to a very unique geology and microclimate.
Grassy slopes, coastal oaks and rocks thought to once lay at the bottom of the ocean.
We could see far with today's clear skies. Looking toward San Quentin, we meandered to the top of this 602 ft. mountain.
Mt. Tamalpais in the distance, with it's own ever changing weather hovering above.
Rocks, like rasins in a batter are at every footstep and in all sizes. The soil here contains much serpentine, which hosts extensive wildflowers come spring.
Rounding this bend we were now headed east.
Dad lingered.
Passing by views of San Francisco, and closer are the towns of Tiburon & Belvedere Island.
Happy face.
An amazingly clear day!
Ahhhh! Thank you!
Always nice to get a hug from mom :)
We could really see the shape of the Tiburon Peninsula.
The Richmond Bridge appeared in the distance.
Shadows with us.
East Bay in the distance.
We had now made a full circle.
Passing by a favorite local climbing crag, called Split Rock.
Another look back through mustard grass towards the Richmond Bridge.
We finished our hike with smiles.
A bit of a magical local spot. Hope we can return here for the wildflower blooms.
Have a nice rest of the weekend friends!

31 comments:

  1. Oh, we so wish you invited us along. What a scenic place to walk! Maybe not as zoomie-inducing as snow, but gorgeous nonetheless.

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  2. It indeed is a very beautiful place that you visited, Sierra! I love the shadow picture the most, it's so artistic!

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  3. What a beautiful place for a nice long hike! We are jealous here in our concrete jungle! -Ellie

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  4. You have so many beautiful places to visit and enjoy! We loved all the wonderful views from the distance you shared. That split rock was very cool. That area will be even more spectacular when the wildflowers are in bloom! Thanks for sharing your hike with us.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  5. What a gorgeous hike!!! You actually make us long for spring. Kind of. We're still having fun with the snow. But that is a GORGEOUS hike!!!

    *kissey face*
    -Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus

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  6. Your pix are always the BEST! Such gorgeous scenery! And so GREEN! Everything here is snow-coated again - and is brown underneath that.
    Thanks for taking us hiking with you!
    Play bows,
    Zim

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  7. Gosh, it looks like you had a very lovely hike. The terrain is absolutely gorgeous!
    thanks for taking us along with you!

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  8. Wow, we've never been there! I think we'll need to check it out--it looks beautiful, but chilly!

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  9. Sorry that you didn't make it to the snow... but it looks like you had an awesome hike! I love seeing your green grass and imagining those wildflowers popping up soon. I also love seeing views that I remember from when I lived in that area.

    I hope that all is well with your family.

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  10. What an awesome hike, Sierra Rose. Your photos are just incredible! We can't stop looking at the magnificent sky!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  11. You guys have some awesome hiking places up there! Never been there but wished we had!
    Such a beautiful day with incredible views!

    I hope Mom has gotten the skunk smell out of you and the house by now! Oh my goodness!
    You can't play with kitties that are black with white stripes!
    Belly rubs to you
    Hugs to Mom

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  12. That is soooo pretty!!! What a great day to spend with your peoples!

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  13. Wow, thanks for the tour. You have beautiful hiking spots.

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  14. Dear Sierra Rose,
    It may not have been the snowy mountains but that view of The City sure isn't something to sneeze at! Glad you had a wonderful day with your people!

    We've been gone a while but are enjoying visiting and seeing what you are up to!
    xoxo
    The gang at DVR

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  15. Sierra Rose - you always take the best pictures! Loved all of them.

    Wags N Kisses,
    Wrigley

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  16. Nice hike in one of our fave places to walk!!! Lovelovelove the beautiful pix and clarity of day - wow, you had a nice Sat!!! Soooooooo "wiper-clean"!!! And your descriptions are super interesting - had no idea about the micro-climes up there - gorgeous 360 degree shots tho - what an eye your Mom has, Sierra!!! Maybe we can all go back to see the wildflowers!!!
    Big Hugs xoxoxo
    Sammie, Avalon and Oz

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  17. Maybe I'll get to see those wildflower blooms, too! We'll be in Sausalito in May and usually ride our bikes in Marin Headlands and over to Tiburon. Sierra Rose looks happy - I'd be overjoyed too with all that green to run around in.

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  18. You always have the BEST pictures! Thank you for sharing!

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  19. Oh what beautiful views.. You are so lucky to have such a lovely place for a walk..


    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

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  20. That was really wonderful to see...My dads went to San Fran in the '80's...yup along time ago...and they loved it. BTW..have you got my orange ball(in the first pic)? I was looking for it in my recent post...all I could find was an ORANGE...oh well! wink wink

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  21. Another beautiful and amazing adventure-hike! I'm envious of the all the color green!! THANKS for taking us along!

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  22. You should win some sort of award for best picture taking on a hike!! What lovely views you have in your area! I have never been to that part of California but I feel a need to visit now!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

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  23. Blue skies, green grass--I'll take some of that right about now!

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  24. OMD, that looks like a whole lot of fun!
    We just love all the pictures, I feel like I was on the hike with you.

    Rudy

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  25. Hi Sierra Rose - I enjoyed stopping by your blog and seeing all the great photos..I'm exactly a week older than you - nice to find you..greetings from France! Zola

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  26. What a terrific hike and such beautiful clear skies.

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  27. Ohhh~ You and Sam always makes me jealous :P
    You guys always have great trip :) How I wish I was there! ><

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  28. Wow! What a gorgeous place to be on a beautiful day! I could stay there furever with you Sierra Rose! :D

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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  29. What an incredible walk that was!
    I especially like the picture of the San Francisco Bay - quite breathtaking!
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  30. That's definitely a very cool place, Sierra Rose.

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