Speakers of Ohlone dialects occupied the lands encompassed by Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and San Francisco Counties. One Ohlone triblet, the Carquin, occupied lands on the north shore of the Carquinez Strait in Solano County and probably in the southern part of Napa County.
Jalquin Vista Park16 bedrock Mortars, many with recessed “Olla” rims3 housepitsElevation 1194 ft.What’s in a name? The City of Hayward may think this site was in Jalquin territory, but we believe the Yrgin controlled all of the Walpert Ridge “high country.”This is a great site with extensive views. You can drive right up to it.Note […]
Mira Vista Park10 bedrock mortars and 60+ cupules on a chlorite blueschist boulder near Baxter Creek.Elevation 116 ft.See Canyon Trail Petroglyphs for more details about cupule petroglyphs. Also see Cupule Petroglyphs in the Diablo Range by E. Breck Parkman in the Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 254-55 (1986). […]
Rancho HigueraTwo bedrock mortarsElevation 342 ft.This site is named for the nearby Rancho Higuera Historical Park.Joel, who turned us on to this site, sent us a picture of another rock where potential mortars were clogged with dirt. We couldn’t find it.Photograph by Bob Bardell
Stienstra’s Easy Chair2 probable bedrock mortars, a comfortable seat, and spectacular views.Elevation 1049 ft.Tom Stienstra, the Bay Area’s famed outdoor writer, described this site in a February 9, 2003 SF Chronicle article.Bob enjoys the view from Stienstra’s Easy Chair. That’s Pillar Point and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. This is an amazingly comfortable seat. […]
Upper Palomares CanyonOne bedrock mortarElevation 1450 feetThis rock sits below a spring box, which itself lies directly below the Rockwall to Campsite site. The mortar is a no-doubt-about-it cone six inches wide and six inches deep.One should secure permission before visiting this site.
Benica Quarry #220 bedrock mortarsJim examines an unusual mortar rock at this site.This mortar arrangement is a work of art. Note the flaring rim of the far right mortar.This site is on private property. One should secure permission before visiting it.
Dillon Point4 bedrock mortars, 2 or 3 possible mortars, and a slickElevation 100 ft.Joel’s been doing good work on the north side of the Carquinez Strait.Looking out over Southampton Bay and the Carquinez Strait.A closer look at one of the mortars.
Jeff’s Hideaway4 bedrock mortarsElevation 1550This site on the western scarp of Sunol Ridge is named after the person who turned us on to it. Thanks Jeff!Bob works his way over rocks searching for more mortars. Head down here to cool off on hot days.
Mission Creek Trail Spring50 yard long rock alignment at a seep spring site.Elevation 1725 ft.The alignment makes a right-angled turn at the top of the ridge near the big rocks and continues on downhill for a bit.
Rankin Park Overlook1 bedrock mortar.Elevation 295 ft.The largest Indian village early Spanish explorers encountered was probably Carquin. There was a major Carquin village in Crockett on whose site Thomas Edwards constructed the “Old Homestead,” California Historic Landmark #731. This site, needless to say, was not a major one.Jim looks down at the Rankin Park mortar.
