Feature: Rock Wall
Above Mission Peak Meadow
Above Mission Peak MeadowTwo probable bedrock mortars, one pestle, rock alignments.Elevation 1761 ft.Jeff discovered these mortars a long time ago. We looked and looked but couldn’t locate them. Recently Jeff led an expedition here. The mortars look like they could have formed from rain or fog drip, but Doc Hale, our resident expert, gave them […]
Walpert Ridge Lookout
Walpert Ridge Lookout19 bedrock mortars.Many are worn and chipped, giving the apppearance of age.The lookout.The view north and east from here is as impressive as the one to the west. This hill can be identified from many locations in the East Bay.Looking toward Mission Peak. Note the stacked rock wall probably constructed in historic times.Two […]
Blue Rock Springs Park — North
Blue Rock Springs Park — North Rock wall Elevation 695 ft. This wall reminds us of similar alignments on Mission Peak and in the South Bay. It runs, with breaks, nearly all the way to I-80. The barbed wire fence and rock wall coincide with each other. Were they constructed at the same time? Compare […]
White Hill
White Hillsttacked rock walls forming an obtuse angle.Elevation 1128 ft.The park ranger who checked up on us while we were exploring the wall claimed the original land grantee had Indian laborers construct it. “The Miwok didn’t build walls,” he assured us. The wall marks part of the boundary between the San Geronimo and Punta de […]
Blue Rock Springs Park — South
Blue Rock Springs Park — South Curved Rock Alignment Elevation 520 ft. This alignment extends along the north and east sides of a little knoll at the bottom of valley. Who constructed it and why? A closer look. The knoll is flat on top. A detail shot showing the stacking.
Chinese Tree of Heaven
Chinese Tree of Heaven18 bedrock mortars (including 5 bowl mortars), 3 metates, 2 cupules, incised rocks, rock rectangles, rock walls, and rock-lined pathwaysThe Chinese Tree of Heaven tree (Ailanthus altissima) was introduced to California by the Chinese during the Gold Rush. The presence of this tree along with the dry-laid masonry skill apparent in a […]
Los Vaqueros Log Cabin Village
Los Vaqueros Log Cabin Village.60 bedrock mortars, 4 cupules, 4 slicks, and probably historic rock walls.Elevation 515 ft.Like the Pond Village, the Log Cabin Village found its year-round water in nearby Adobe Creek, but in the winter, water is typically abundant in seasonal tributaries like this one.Looking back toward the Log Cabin, which, alas, is […]