It has not been posted to the Bay Area 02 site yet but soon will.
http://www.bayarea02.com/events/events.html
Hope to see many new faces there!
Morgan Territory Road Adventure
Co-host Larry Ayers
Meeting place: Danville Livery & mercantile, near Piatti & Forbes Mill
Time: 10:00 AM
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=san+ramon+valley+rd+%26+sycamore+valley+rd,+danville+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=0.096846,0.131321&ie=UTF8&ll=37.811344,-121.995277&spn=0.023971,0.03283&z=15
Meeting place directions:
• Take I-680 North or South to Danville; exit Sycamore Valley Rd. West. After a short block cross San Ramon Valley Rd. then enter the parking lot on your right. Meet near restaurants.
• Bagel/coffee shop in plaza; public restrooms nearby. Gas stations on corners (note: I think their prices are at least as high as in San Francisco). Lucky and Longs are across San Ramon Valley Rd.
Lunch: Ed’s Mudville Grille, Clayton: [http].
This is a sociable place, and they are clearly proud of their beers. Expect to encounter local sports teams, and possibly dine alfresco.
Drive discussion
Morgan Territory Road is now open, and is a slow short cut on the East side of Mt. Diablo to travel from the Livermore area to Clayton and Concord. Our route to Clayton is about 45 miles. We will drive east on Sycamore Valley Rd., continuing on Camino Tassajara Rd. when that joins from the left, to Blackhawk and past new homes to the edge of the Contra Costa urban development line. Shortly thereafter we will turn left onto Highland Rd. for some twisty (but not too fast...) roads through the green hills, continuing left on Manning Rd. to Morgan Territory Rd.
Here we start North, climbing the hills on a road that quickly becomes 1.5 lanes wide (a 2002 can pass a full size pickup truck, barely, without leaving the pavement). Look back, if you can, and see the Livermore valley spreading before you, green with grass and spotted with wildflowers. We will pause at the Morgan Territory Regional Park gravel parking lot, for a Mt. Diablo view, photos as desired, urgent pit needs, and perhaps to see a llama head out on the trail.
Then we continue North on the narrow, rough road (but paved, and no potholes big enough to swallow a BMW), with many blind curves, ducking in and out of tree cover. Of course, we will be careful of bicycles, motorcycles and any other vehicles we encounter at the next bend in the road.
After a while the pavement improves and the road widens to a narrow two lanes. After passing a Cinnabar mine lake (Superfund site), we turn left onto Marsh Creek Rd. to continue into downtown Clayton (including a with bronze kids). But be careful, Marsh Creek Rd. makes some surprising turns (such as a left turn where it meets Clayton Rd. just past the school).
Lunch destination: Ed’s Mudville Grille – 6200 Center St. Clayton, 925-673-0330)
I'm expecting 15-20 of you to join me for curvy roads, green hills and a view; see you Saturday, 12 April!
Contact JP Collins for more info
jp@bayarea02.com.