Las Trampas (is) Wilderness

We did a featured "challenging" hike from the East Bay Regional Parks District annual "trails challenge."  The hike started from the Ringtail Cat staging area in Alamo.  It was advertised as an 8.25 mile loop with 1447 feet of elevation gain.  The description does note that the trail system in this regional wilderness "allows hikers to enjoy its remote and rugged areas."  The loop included sections of several trails: Ringtail Cat, Madrone, Las Trampas Ridge, and Corderoy Hills. The verticals were steep, generally straight up and straight down the hills without any benefit of switchbacks.  Navigation was slightly challenging in the parts closer to the staging area, but became clearer once we got into the core of the park.  The scenic views were great, especially of Mt Diablo to the east and of the nearby hills and valleys.  There were also abundant wildflowers, including an orange one I've never seen before.  Wildlife sightings included several buzzards, a small snake, and a (dead) opossum.  We completed the hike in 4.5 hours (total elapsed time).  My pedometer recorded 9.75 miles (higher than advertised because of short steps on the steep hillsides).