Macedo Ranch
Mount Diablo State Park
February, 2017
What a lovely time of year to hike in Mount Diablo State Park. The
sun is sharp and warm and the air is brisk and cool. This combination makes for
perfect hiking conditions. To make this walk even more amazing everything had
become lush and green from all the rain we've had recently. This rain also had
every creek and river running strongly adding to the wonder of the place.
We could not believe that there were so many
flowers in bloom this time of year. Given the emerald green of the place, and
the odd color thrown in now and then from the many wildflowers, the Macedo
Ranch hike was awash with color. As it turns out Mount Diablo State Park is a
beautiful place to walk in either winter or summer.
Part of our route was the Secret Valley Loop. It is a 6-mile 1,410
feet loop trail located near Walnut Creek, California. The trail is rated as moderate
and offers several activity options. Horses are also able to use this trail.
Secret Valley has numerous vistas of Mt. Diablo, much of the East
Bay, and up into Napa Valley. Down in Secret Valley the trail gives a solid
sense of what the early explorers and settlers experienced in this part of the
state. One absolutely gets the feeling of traveling down one of the old stagecoach
roads.
Macedo Ranch