Lime Ridge Open Space

Just a few quick notes on this spot.

I thought I would get a quick run in during my son's swim meet at the nearby Concord Community Park Pool.  Beginning on roads, I found a cut-through into the park from a side road along Kaski Lane.  What I found was a compact open space park dirt trail.  Very hemmed in by development on both sides, but still offering a bit of tranquility and outdoor experience.

One lady warned me about a coyote up ahead, but I never saw it.  I did ask her if it was foaming at the mouth, my smart-assed way of querying her about her apparent sense of alarm over a small wild animal.

At the top of the hill, I looked off to the southeast to see Mt. Diablo.  I noticed a paraglider up in the sky.  He had one of those rotor backpacks on and a giant red parachute.  A few minutes later, as I came back around, the pilot had come much closer, and it was apparent to me that he was coming in for a landing on my trail.  So, I got out my camera and filmed.  Not something one sees every day!  I said "Hi" to him and checked out his gear.  He told me he had gone up and around Mt. Diablo.  I was surprised to learn how much those things can climb under power.

It would have been helpful to have studied a map prior to running.  Some trails don't provide a loop, but force you to run out and back.  This might be a challenge for folks who aren't into climbing hills.  I was more worried about time, so I cut through off-trail to arrive back at the trailhead where I started.  Got some dirt in my shoes and burrs in my socks, but no poison oak or snake bites.

There was one hill in the middle of the park that offered expansive views to the north and west.  I think it would be a pleasant destination for folks living in the area to take an evening hike after dinner.

I think I ran about 2 miles within the open space, and tacked on a couple more on nearby roads.  After I got home and studied the maps it looks like there are a lot of ways to link this trail with other runs in the area.  Definitely not a wilderness or hiking experience, but a very solid nature walk for locals or a link for folks looking to make a mostly off trail run through the area.

Looking back at start of hike toward trailhead.

Views to Briones in the east.

Marine Layer over Suisun Bay

Mt. Diablo