This Ohlone tribelet is difficult to place. Randall Milliken’s map in Native American History Studies for the Los Vaqueros Project: A Synthesis shows an unnamed tribal territory covering the confluence of Alameda and Calaveras Creeks south of Causen lands, but Milliken’s description of Santa Ysabel territory in A Time of Little Choice gives them the upper reaches of Calaveras Creek only. The aforementioned map gives no part of Alameda Creek to the Taunan, while Milliken’s description of their lands mentions it. What to do?
We’re punting this one. We put the Taunan east of Alameda Creek per the map while giving the Causen Mission Peak and Alameda Creek in the Sunol vicinity without giving them Sunol Regional Wilderness.
We wish the matter were clearer.
4 housepits near Bear Gulch This counts as the most remote site we’ve found to date. Murietta Falls is pretty remote too, but people hike there all the time. No one goes to Bear Gulch other than the committed or those that should be. Be prepared to wade across Alameda Creek several times if you […]
9 bedrock mortarsNear Sunol Regional Wilderness Interpretative Center.Alameda Creek is the Bay Area’s largest. Many of its streambed cobbles look like pre-shaped pestles. Perhaps they were valuable trade items.The park authorities acknowledge and celebrate the Indian presence here.
Alameda/Calaveras Creek confluence3 bedrock mortarsGood luck finding these, folks. We had to be led to this site by someone who knew exactly where the mortars were. On a revisit, even with the GPS, we couldn’t find them all. Siltation may have claimed the “lost” mortars.
East Goat Rock Camp4 bedrock mortars and a probable housepitElevation 1451 ft.We’d hiked around and through this area a number of times, but it took Jeff’s sharp eyes to find this beautiful site. A picturesque seasonal creek flows nearby in a rocky channel.Looking over the main mortar rock toward Alameda Creek. A protected basin lies […]
Evergreen Valley Cupule Rock on Silver Creek32+ cupulesElevation 570 ft.Thanks to Joel for directing us here.The rock.Some of the cupules on this rock could probably be classed as bedrock mortars.We believe the trinomial for this site is CA-SCL-63. There are PCNs on this rock too, but we didn’t notice any. See A Stylistic Analysis of […]
Mid Upper Welch CreekOne bedrock mortarElevation 1410 ft.To those who believe it’s not worth their time and effort to check out a single-mortar site, we offer this one as a rebuttal. Go in the winter when water cascades down Welch Creek.Another one of Jeff’s great finds. Keep ’em coming Jeff!Note this mortar’s broad, flaring mouth.
Observation HillOval rock wall surrounding a flattened hilltop.Elevation 1191 ft.Observation Hill was obliterated in 2012.Observation Hill offered breathtaking panoramic views. It was a real power spot.The top of Observation Hill.Photograph by Bob Bardell.Volume 2 of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the replacement of Calaveras Dam (a 563 page PDF) classified this stone wall as […]
Rock Scramble JacalStacked rock complex above Alameda Creek overlooking the Rock Scramble.Elevation 1069 ft.Thanks to Michael for turning us on to this remarkable site. We’ve seen nothing like it in the Bay Area. It feels like a fortress. It could be a massive hunting blind, yet it contains elements that don’t seem related to the […]
South Fork Apperson CreekOne bedrock mortar, two probable mortarsElevation 1510 ft.We don’t know how Jeff keeps finding these beautiful sites, but we sure hope he keeps it up.Water was pouring down from Apperson Ridge via several creeks when we checked out this site in mid-July 2011.Bob looks toward the mortar. The area behind him is […]
Upper Welch Creek Road5 bedrock mortars and 15 cupules, three on a secondary rock.Elevation 2180 ft.Thanks to Bill and Lou for turning us on to this site.The headwaters of Indian Joe Creek rise right across the road.This is one of our few drive up (or pedal up) sites.A closer look at some of the cupules […]