Black Diamond Mines -  Star Mine Loop

  Tuesday, April 17, 2012

SPECIAL OFFER:  On the prehike we noted that Black Diamonds were being sold at very reasonable prices at the Visitor Center.  So if you are interested in obtaining some of these “gems”, bring your credit card.  I suspect there will still be some for sale in April, since this in not being extensively advertised.    

DIFFICULTY:  Moderately strenuous -- or Moderately easy if you sit out the 2 mile Star Mine Loop

ELEVATION GAIN:  Approximately 1200 feet with two significant climbs.  The first is a gradual climb to the scenic ridge of approximately 800 feet.  The second is a relatively steep climb of 400 feet as we traverse the Star Mine Loop.  Sitting out the Star Mine Loop reduces the overall gain to 800 feet.

HIKE DISTANCE:  7 ½ miles in a one way, point A to point B hike.  Sitting out the Star Mine Loop reduces the overall distance to 5 ½ miles. Hikers not wishing to do the complete 7 ½ hike can wait / rest in the shaded picnic area (see prehike photos) while the others complete the 2 mile Star Mine Loop and return. This is a unique opportunity to experience the many special features of the Black Diamond Mines without doing a “strenuous” hike. It also gets you to Mac’s Old House for dinner, a neat dining experience if you have not been there.

GENERAL LOCATION:  Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve.  The trailhead is 3 miles southwest of the town of Antioch.

DESCRIPTION:   Black Diamond Mines has 63 miles of trails. This visit seeks out a new route from previous hikes we have done at Black Diamond  -- with a trek out to the Star Mine Loop on the East end of the park.  (You should note that the requirement to return to the parking lot via another 800 foot climb over the summit ridge was eliminated by deciding to drop a car at the back entrance to Black Diamond Mine.  Therefore this hike should be very doable for many hikers but we’ll need to invest some time is shuttling cars.    

This is a special and unique area in which to hike.  This hike has diversity, diversity and diversity  -- a bit of everything.  Located in the heart of California’s largest coal mining operation in the late 1800’s, the trails traverse jagged and jumbled ridges, erratically sloped grasslands, and sprawling valleys, all dotted with blue oaks and patches of chaparral.  This is a remote land where the prairie falcon soars and the coyote still howls at night, out of the sight and sound of cars and houses.  The trail route includes scenic vistas on wide trails to narrow trails through Manzanita groves.   The rare Coulter pine is included in the diverse native tree and shrub population.  While the scenic beauty is awe inspiring, the remaining remnants to the hard life of coal and sandstone mining over a hundred years ago will leave a lasting impression about these early California pioneers.

When we started hiking at Black Diamond in 2008 we were made aware that they were going to move the Visitor Center to an actual mine shaft if certain challenges were overcome.   Yeah, right ???  Water damage and FEMA involvement further delayed the project.   Good News --- this new Visitor Center IN A MINE SHAFT opened Saturday, March 3, 2012.  Unfortunately it is only open on weekends.  However they told me they would TRY to open it for us on our hike.  This may be a long shot and, frankly, is more a function of which Naturalist is working the day we hike and their willingness to make that extra effort for us.  Keep your fingers crossed.  In any event, we will visit the original visitor center, especially for anyone interested in purchasing black diamonds. 

Highlights of the day & hike include:

• Wildflowers in bloom (hopefully – but the lack of rain may disappoint us)
• The historic Rose Hill Cemetery which serves as a monument to the lives of former residents and those who lost their lives in mining accidents.  We will not visit the cemetery this time, but it’s presence will be quite apparent on the opposite hillside.
• Views of Mt. Diablo and the town of Antioch and the Antioch Bridge.
• Visit Prospect Tunnel – this tunnel was driven in the 1860s by miners in search of commercial-quality coal.  Two hundred feet of the 400-foot tunnel are open for exploration.  Bring a light (flashlight or head lamp)
• Peer down the once bustling shaft of the Eureka Slope, which was the entrance to the Eureka Coal Mine where more than 150,000 tons of coal was hoisted to the surface in the late 1800s.
• Countless “trees with character”
• Countless “cows with character”
• Views of the confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers near the town of Pittsburg --  the Delta.  This is not to be confused with the confluence of the Allegheny and the Monongahela rivers to form the Ohio River in the real Pittsburgh.    
• Dinner at Mac’s Old House in Antioch – one of our favorite hiking restaurants.   It is a unique experience and the food is tasty and abundant, particularly after a long hike.  See the menu below and watch for web coupon specials.

LUNCH:   Bring your lunch.  A lunch break is planned for mid hike at the Star Mine Group Camp – which also contains a comfort station.  

TRAVEL TIME / DISTANCE / PARKING:  Travel time is approximately an hour and 45 minutes and 102 miles from Lincoln.  We will stop for dinner prior to returning home to Lincoln.  Suggested contribution for riders is $15.  Detailed driving directions will be handed out to all drivers.  Also the toll on the Antioch Bridge when returning to Lincoln is $5.00, but reduced to $2.50 if carpool hours are in effect, which should be the case if we complete dinner by 7:00.  Passengers should cover this fee.

HIKE LEADER / SWEEP:  Dennis Ratay / Margaret Ratay  

SPECIAL NOTES:

            FACILITIES AVAILABLE:  A comfort station is available at the trailhead and at the lunch break.

            PREPARATIONS FOR HIKE: 

          1) IF YOU HAVEANY HEALTH ISSUES, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION BEFORE HIKING.

2)  Bring a copy of your ID (driver's license), health card, and an emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.

3)  Always bring 2 pairs of shoes, along with a plastic bag to store your muddy/dusty hiking boots after the hike.  DO NOT get your driver's car dirty by wearing your dirty boots on the drive home.

4) Hiking boots and boots recommended.  Also bring sunscreen, hat, plenty of water, flashlight, lunch .Did I mention plenty of water?  Bring it.    

          RISKS:  Shade is minimal on the latter part of the hike.  So be prepared for plenty of sun.   Watch the forecast for Antioch and plan accordingly. Also some wider trails on prior hikes were kinda rough, thanks to cows using them when they were wet and muddy.  So these trails could be full of holes and ruts and a bit harder to walk on if we have had a prior rain.   

          QUESTIONS:   Call Dennis Ratay at 543-9935.

 MEETING TIME:  7:00 AM  -- Leaving time: 7:15 AM.

  RAIN CANCELS HIKE