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Jewel Lake
Part of Tilden Nature Area In Tilden Park |
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A long winding road up from Berkeley led to this Nature Area.
Because the Nature Area was difficult to get to without a car, sufficient parking
was provided. But note that you can get there by the AC Transit #67 bus, but the bus
only runs once per hour.
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Picnic tables on wide grassy areas were provided. On this day, two bus loads
of children were brought in to enjoy the area and its educational features.
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A sign marked the entry to the park. It read:
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Also near the entry was a display of information, hours and maps.
Brochures in a weatherproof box were free and could be used for self-guided
tours.
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Just a short way inside on the way to Jewel Lake was a side path that
led up to the Environmental Education Center
and Little Farm.
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A Wilson's Warbler was alongside the trail. The park was filled with many
birds and was a great place for birding.
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Wildcat Creek Trail was wide enough for maintenance vehicles. It was a level
smooth walk suitable for all ages and physical conditions.
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An elevated walkway lead through the nature area to Jewel Lake's northern
shore. That walkway was closed that day for repairs following a heavy
rainy season.
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California Towhees would land on the path and look for food ahead of those
walking on the path. As the walkers approached the California Towhee would
run ahead or fly into the surrounding brush.
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As the path neared the lake, much moss was found in the trees
lining the trail.
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A drinking fountain was found alongside the trail. In the dry season this
could also be used as a bench.
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Many side trails branched off of Wildcat Creek Trail. Some were
flat and smooth like this one, but many more ran steeply up and
into the surrounding hills.
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Part of the area around Jewel Lake was occupied by wetlands.
Here, for example, tall grasses and cattails grew from a shallow wet area.
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Here was a plant just starting to bloom as the summer approached.
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School children returned from their trip to Jewel Lake. It was a good day
to get out and learn in nature. Overcast but not raining and not cold.
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A worker was maintaining the park. Here he used a hose to clean recently
emptied trash cans.
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One of many Western Pond Turtles that inhabited Jewel Lake.
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Jewel Lake turned out to be a modestly small lake but it was nonetheless
a stunningly beautiful little lake.
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Alongside Wildcat Creek Trail was a bench made from a split log.
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A sign alongside the trail and just across from the lake read:
The Park District is dedicated to protecting native wild animals.
We Need Your Help. Unfortunately parks have become a favorite place to release ducks.
Domestic ducks can carry diseases easily transmitted to wild ducks.
When fed regularly, the ducks quickly multiply and over populate the area. The over
abundance of water fowl causes high bacterial counts that may exceed
public health standards and can lead to soiled lawns and walkways.
To help us protect people and wildlife. Please Don't Feed the Waterfowl.
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
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Wildcat Creek is formed by the drainage and overflow of Jewel Lake.
At one time a canal was proposed to take water from this watershed
and connect it to the East Bay water supply. The canal was never
completed, and Wildcat Creek is now being gradually restored to its former natural state.
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A bridge over Wildcat Creek led to another trail. Jewel Lake could be viewed from
this bridge.
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The view from the bridge with Wildcat Creek Trail to the left, Jewel Lake ahead, and
its spillway below.
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The start of Wildcat Creek was still in the form of a canal.
One of the rangers said that both these culverts were filled
to almost overflowing during the last severe rain storm.
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This is a fish-eye view of the side trail just past the bridge over
Wildcat Creek. Jewel Lake is to the right.
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Alongside the side trail were moss covered trees.
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Near Jewel Lake was a patch of muddy water that reflected the sky and trees.
The deep black of the mud appeared to swallow the forest.
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A Black Phoebe was gathering food by the lake's shore.
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The upper part of Wildcat Creek that was still the old canal.
Wildcat Creek runs for miles further so it is possible to visit
the restored portions of the creek.
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Here was the valve used to open and close the gate to the canal.
It is still used for flood control.
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A survey marker was embedded into the concrete of the valve platform.
The marker bore the inscription:
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A debris gate was chained up and ready to be lowered
as needed.
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Beyond Jewel Lake, Wildcat Creek Trail continued for miles.
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Alongside Wildcat Creek Trail beyond Jewel Lake, some eucalyptus trees grew
among pine trees. The bark of the eucalyptus would fall and land on a tangle
of branches.
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A Female Oregon Junco seen on the Wildcat Creek Trail beyond the Jewel Lake.
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A half dozen Western Pond Turtles and a male and female Mallard duck pair
were seen resting on a log in Jewel Lake.
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Jewel Lake and the bridge over its spillway as seen from a side trail a little uphill.
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A foraging squirrel paused when a camera was pointed at it.
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On the way back to the parking lot was a modest restroom.
It included running water and flushing toilets and was
moderately clean and not at all offensive. A drinking fountain
was out front.
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A wild domestic cat ran away back toward the parking lot.
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We visited in late spring so there were fewer blooming flowers
than one would find in early spring. Here was one wild flower.
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