Tolman Peak

Tolman Peak is known for the UA Flight 615 that crashed into the peak back in 1951. I have hiked a portion of the trail that takes one to the peak when my son was very young, but we never climbed to the top of the peak.
 

Last weekend, the gang and I made the climb to the top. Tolman Peak is just behind and to the right of Ming's head. Before we make the climb, we stop by the cattle corral that sits on land that was once part of the Dry Creek Ranch owned by the Meyer sisters of Alameda.

Meeks looks back at something that she either hears or get a whiff of, while I take note of the location of the cattle corral down below.

Meanwhile, the boys are admiring the view. Not far up ahead on the trail is the marker for the South Loop Trail. We take that trail instead of continuing up the Tolman Peak Trail that leads to the crash site.

Everything is so dry and brown on the ridge. So, I was very surprised to see these tiny plants thriving.

We make it to a spot on the peak where a bench is located. The haze and smog makes if difficult to see the bay.

As we start our descent, I point out that the green side of the next hill is covered mainly with California Oak and Bay Leaf trees. That side of the hill faces north, which is why it is more lush in vegetation since it has less exposure to the hot sun. One good way to tell north from south, just look at the vegetation on the hills.

Soon we are under a canopy of Bay Leaf trees. Meeks eagerly heads us down the trail and back to the car.

The entire loop was 4.51 miles. Next time I hike this trail, I will make the ascend from the South Fork Trail.