Exploring Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

Last weekend we took a 45 minute drive to Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve to hike a bit. As someone who grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvnia, I was interested to know whether Pittsburg, California which we passed near on our drive had any connection with the Pittsburgh I know.

On the road

The answer is yes.  Black Diamond refers to coal.  Back in the late 1800's there was mining and steel making in this part of Northern California. Thus the connection to Pittsburgh, PA.

The road windng into the park entrance

Large boulders dot the hills

As we started our hike, we found that there was once a town here.

Info kiosk with photos of old Somersville

What the old town site looks like now

There were both coal and salt mines in the area that is now Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. Erick and I decided to hike the trails leading to the old mine entrances.

Traces of the coal along the path

Erick ponders the mine car rails

The hillside near the mine entrance

On our way up to see another mine shaft.

Erick trying to get some light on the subject with a shakable flashlight

Resting a bit before finishing the climb

Views from the trail we took

Multicolored sandstone

What goes up...

...must go down

The outside structure is up

Work is in progress to restore the entrance

This area isn't open in the winter months - guess we'll have to come back when it is.

Park flora and fauna:

Just missed a ground squirrel that ducked back into its burrow

A laurel growning in a crack in the rock

Mistletoe clumps

Mt. Diablo Manzanita in bloom - the bees were very busy

The pine tree and...

...its pine cone close up

Time to go.  So it's back to the parking lot.  But, who could pass up a chance to pet a gopher snake?  Just remember to pet in the same direction as the scales.

Trails we didn't take - maybe next time.

Gopher snake

The park ranger explained that most of these snakes are hibernating right now.