Nearby Nature

Sibley Geology In Full View

Our local volcano is now dressed in its finest greenery, so this is an ideal time to stroll around Sibley Volcanic Preserve (map).  Typically the scenery is wonderful before things dry up and brown out – just look at the panorama snapped this week.

Classic Sibley View

Volcanic Time Capsule

Besides soaking in the views, it’s also worth contemplating the 10-million-year time capsule underneath your feet.  Sibley is one of four volcanoes that originally erupted near San Jose, and slowly traveled northwards.  Presumably it will pass us by, in another 10 million years or so.

Interestingly, the Sibley volcano tipped sideways and and was pretty much hidden from view.  When gravel rock mining took place years ago, volcanic features became more evident.  A few Berkeley geologists discovered this wonder and have studied the rocks and formations in detail.

One of these Berkeley geologists, Steve Edwards, first mapped the area in the 1970s and later joined the East Bay Regional Park District.  He shared the geological underpinnings in KQED’s Quest program last July.

Touring The Volcano

Just like all the earthquakes around here, the volcanic activities were triggered by plate tectonics.  You can walk up to Round Top (1,763 ft), the highest point in the park, where Pacific and North American plates crashed together and molten basalt lava flowed.

Then walk a quarter mile northeast, and arrive at the volcano top near the gravel rock quarry’s edge.  It turns out there are all kinds of lava flows, bake zones and lava holes scattered throughout Sibley as well.

Stop and stare at the basalt rock, and all their unusual shapes.  Geologist Andrew Alden recently pointed out spheroidal weathering.  “To paraphrase an old Grateful Deadhead saying,” said Alden, “the smaller they grow, the rounder they get.”

So head up to Sibley Preserve, for another perspective about your local volcano – those rocks actually tell quite a story.

More info:   Sibley Volcano Regional Preserve Exploration – Voice of the Volcano – Basalt of Sibley Volcano – Sibley Volcanic Preserve – Sibley Trail Map

Looked Around And Saw Blossoms

While Oakland began grieving today, we looked around and noticed all the spring blossoms.  What a relief to see all the seasonal flowering – whether next to highways, in cultivated gardens, or across open spaces.

Poppies Oakland

Our hearty California poppies are making their first appearances in various nooks and crannies.  Take a look at these “jailed poppies,” growing behind a chain link fence right now.

Lupines Oakland

The lupines are also showing up in open spaces and other odd places.  I spotted some of these wildflowers between Highways 24 and 13 today, on a small strip of land.  They were mixed together with the ubiquitous poppies, which were opening too.

Calla Lily Oakland

My personal favorites, the calla lilies, are appearing in gardens everywhere.  They have opened fully and are ready for admirers to ooh and aah.  Here’s a close-up image of this architectural flower.

All these shots were taken by Oaklanders in the past week or so.  Like your neigbhors, consider stopping to appreciate this multi-hued beauty contest.  It’s bound to perk you up.

Montclair Park Faring Well

Given the Oakland budget cuts, we wanted to see how Montclair Park has been faring these days.  We checked with Mark Zinns, recreation supervisor, who sounds like he’s managing pretty well in the downturn.

“The plan from the beginning has been to keep programs for all age levels, at all recreation centers in Oakland, operating,” explained Zinns.  There are a mix of recreation center activities here, especially dance and art classes.  Sports include tennis, t-ball, basketball and hiking, as listed in this schedule.

Montclair Pond

The funding was cut for Montclair Park and across the Oakland Park system, though.  “Because of great leadership by our Director Audree Jones-Taylor, the impact on OPR has been minimized somewhat,” said Zinns.

“We have taken huge budget cuts in the last three months and all parks and recreation centers close at least once a month on mandatory shut-down days.  We have also lost several key staff as well as cut back on hours for part-time workers.”

Yet Montclair Park is open and welcomes all comers – especially local teens who are daily visitors.  Through the Teen Power Project, Zinns offers “relaxed supervision, equipment check-out and a place for the teens to congregate and socialize.”

“Between myself, my staff and two wonderful parents (Deane and Tamara), we know and interact with most of the teens who come to Montclair Village,” boasted Zinns.

Did you know that Montclair Park was a Depression baby, constructed by the WPA?  Thus it only seems right for the Park to remain open for everyone, during this economic downturn.

March 12th Update: The Teen Power Project is seeking to raise $700 to purchase a large tent, a lock box, and an outdoor heat lamp for cooler and wet winter afternoons.  To help, please reach Supervisor Zinns at mzinns-at-oaklandnet.com or 510-482-7812.

Doing the East Bay Parks Challenge

Here’s a 26.2-mile marathon that almost anyone should be able to race, because you have over nine months to complete the feat.  If you cover those miles through the East Bay Regional Parks, then you will be duly rewarded with swag.

We just received the East Bay Regional Park District activity guide today, wrapped neatly into the Montclarion.  After thumbing through all the activities, the Trails Challenge 2009 caught my eye and I decided to sign up.

Typically I head to the ridge trails right in our backyard, which means walking at Chabot, Redwood, Huckleberry, Sibley, Tilden or Wildcat.  However this Trails Challenge lures you to other places, by describing specific and seasonal routes throughout the East Bay.

Morgan Territory

Thus, I have decided to head East tomorrow and officially begin the challenge.  My first hike will be a 9.75 miler through the Morgan Territory (trail map, location).  This territory is in the hinterlands, technically in Livermore and looking west to Mt. Diablo.  While it will probably be quite muddy, I’m game for the exploration and postcard view.

The Trails Challenge doesn’t require you to slog that far, though.  Between now and December 1st, you only need to walk that marathon distance or tackle five hikes.  Actually you are free to hike, run, skate, bike or otherwise operate under your own horsepower.  The Parks District has provided a complete handbook (download here) which identifies 20 routes rated as easy, moderate or challenging.

What’s the real draw?  If you return your forms correctly, then the Parks District rewards you too – with a cool 75th anniversary commemorative pin and t-shirt.  Not a bad excuse to get moving and to breathe a little fresh air.

Talk About Montclair Micro-Climates

There’s no question that weather varies across Montclair.  It depends on your altitude, whether you live in the canyons versus hills, and if the fog hits your home in a particular way.

After years of defaulting to Weather.com, I decided to explore more specific sources.  Weatherbug set up a full station and reports from Merritt College.  Weatherbonk offers a weather cam, live from the Chabot Observatory.

Chabot Weathercam

Several micro-climate stations are available through the Weather Underground, including Indian Way, Piedmont Pines, and the Skyline/Snake intersection.  You can easily visit the site nearest you, and compare different Oakland results as well.

Weather Underground

Late Wednesday, the weather seemed to hold steady across Oakland.  There was at least a five-degree spread between the hills and flats, and Montclair stations all hovered between 43-46 degrees.  Most importantly the winds had completely calmed down, after the storms blew through here.

Anyway, we really like these local weather sources and the fact that you don’t have to rely on all-Oakland reports anymore.  Do you know other sources worth sharing?  Let everyone know here.