Shell Ridge Open Space

25 October 2009

Shell Ridge Open Space is in the southeastern corner of Walnut Creek, just west of the Diablo Foothills Regional Park. In combination with Mount Diablo State Park, these three public trusts preserve large tracts of land for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and as natural habitat. Last week, on our first hike in the Diablo Foothills Park, we were amazed by the beauty of the grass covered hills, punctuated by stately oaks and dramatic rock outcrops. The Shell Ridge Open Space is equally beautiful.



Usually, October is near the end of a long dry season. But this year, we've had heavy October rains, and so the grasses are already turning green. With warm weather for most of the past week, we could see much more life in the grasses this week than last.



We parked near the Borges Ranch, a historic cattle ranch complex established in 1899. We hiked past Bob Pond and then up to the Ridge Top Trail. Next we headed to the southwest, toward Sugarloaf Open Space, but the late afternoon light was fading too quickly, so we turned back a mile short of this destination.



In all, the city of Walnut Creek has four parcels of Open Space that total 2800 acres. Of these, Shell Ridge is the largest, with 20 miles of trails. These lands were acquired through a $6.75 million municipal bond passed in 1974. Good move!