A Mid-April Hike in the East Bay Hills

We took a hike somewhere in the East Bay on a perfectly clear Sunday in mid-April. This is that brief, intense period of spring when everything is overwhelmingly green before the summer sun turns it all gold.

The trail was a simple dirt path winding up and over the rolling hills. Entire slopes were covered in bright yellow wildflowers, so dense they looked like a blanket from a distance. From the higher points, we could see back down into the valley and across to the next set of ridges.

My dog came along, of course. She was happy to be out, exploring the path through the tall grass. We stopped for a few breaks in the sun, finding a spot near one of the big oak trees that dot the hillsides here. A good day for a simple local walk.