What a refreshing escape! On September 17th, our group explored the beautiful Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, starting at 10:00 AM from the trailhead at 7087 Skyline Blvd in Oakland. We hiked the Lower and Upper Huckleberry Loop Trails—2.2 miles with 400 feet of elevation gain—through shaded bay tree forests, spotting unique native plants along the 1.7-mile self-guided path with 21 informative stops. For the adventurous, some added an extra 1.5 miles toward Sibley Volcanic Preserve. Equipped with water, snacks, hiking poles, and sturdy shoes, we navigated variable terrain while steering clear of poison oak (long pants recommended for the sensitive!). A big thanks to Cindy for organizing— Rusty Bindings is all about outdoor fun and camaraderie; if this sounds like your kind of adventure, become a member and hit the trails with us!