Summer on the Iron Horse Trail

What a difference a few months makes! When I last reported on the Iron Horse Trail, everything was green. Mount Diablo and the surrounding hills were green, the railroad bed was green, and the empty back lots lining the Trail were green. Trees had leafed out and wildflowers proliferated. Seven months of drought-busting rains turned San Ramon into an emerald green paradise (see Spring on the Iron Horse Trail).

Shady rest stop on the Iron Horse Trail

Mile 18.25 heading south from Concord to Dublin

Fast forward a few months and many days of 90- to 100-degree weather. San Ramon has been transformed back into the tawny paradise characteristic of the California landscape. The hills are once again golden brown with scattered oak trees. I've been getting my exercise swimming laps at the nearby San Ramon Olympic Pool and Aquatics Center, or taking quick walks around the Bishop Ranch lakes in the late afternoon, when the blissful marine breeze travels through the 580 corridor, and up the 680.

Countryside turns brown near Bishop Ranch (with California hills in the distance)

I finally made my way over to the Iron Horse Trail for a walk, and to see what impact the high heat is having. The Iron Horse Trail runs through San Ramon near Bishop Ranch, and provides a vital transportation and recreational corridor. I found a lot of tawny grasses, and hot sun, so kept to the Trail edge and explored some of the shady side trails and lingered under the big oak. I found a lot of tiny wildflowers amidst the grasses, and some interesting oak galls and plant diseases.

Shady side trail through pines	Oak Apple Galls
Another type of Gall	Morning Glory

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