Ohlone is *my* park. I used to work there as an Americorps intern doing vegetation mapping and wild flower surveys 20 years ago. I walked every cow trail, I skinny dipped in ponds, my face has been covered with the ladybugs near Indian Creek, I spied on bobcat families roaming the grassy hillsides. Since then I return every few years, mostly to catch the spring flows at Murietta Falls or hang out near Little Yosemite in Sunol. But I have never been back to Rose Peak.

I was simultaneously anticipating as a nostalgic exercise of  reliving of youthful years and dreading the distance and the elevation gain. Three ridges to get over, 20 miles round trip, 5000+ feet of cumulative climbing. Oh shit. My knees are not made for this anymore. Well, I am very proud to say I did it! In 11 hours with energy to spare at the end. Woo-hoo. In the process I affirmed that I still remember the names of most flowers, of which there was plenty and out blooming in stunning beauty. I spotted my favorites (Fairy Lantern, Baby Blue Eyes) and looked up those less memorable ones (Linanthus).  The lady bugs are still there, they kept me company while pumping water. There were also wild turkeys, rabbits, quail, grey squirrel, friendly cows and I almost stepped on a young rattle snake sunning itself on the trail.

It was a good day.
We are so incredibly lucky to have maintained this patch of true wilderness.

I'll be back someday.