The morning call., 1893-04-04
The Moonlight Climb of the Gross
Country Club,

The 'CrOss-Country Clubs trip to the
summit of Mount Diablo on Saturday was
one OF the most delightful ever given by the
organization. The party left this city last
Saturday afternoon on the o'clock San
Ramon train. The executive committee
had engaged the San Ramon Inn for the
occasion. and everything was in readiness
when the excursionists arrived. After
supper the trampers retired early, having
decided on a detailed programme for the
climb for the summit
A trite before II o'clock on Saturday
night the alarm was sounded. and on the
even hour the company filed out along the
road to Danville. There were fifteen in the
party, including: /. Whitworth. John
thompson, Fred Fillmore. Josiah E. Locke,
a. ii. Cawthra, W. l.. Odell, J. n. Loft
stad, A. II. Sanborn. J. C. Howe, ?. c.
Knapp, j. F Marshall. T. Written, W. II.
SleemaD, Thomas F. BOYLE, Ben Steiner
and CALL correspondent.
The distance from San Ramon to Dam
vile Is three miles, over n fine road. and
three miles farther takes the sightseer to
the famous Cook ranch, where the noun
tain road begins. From there to the sum-
init IS estimated at nine miles. For the
dement, OF those who may anticipate making
the trip 1t should be stated that the road is
utterly impossible for wagons, on account
oil dangerous washouts, and the road has
been closed; so that even horseback parties
cannot pass over II without special peTmis-
sion. and the field is held exclusively Just
now by pedestrian parties. There is an
other road up through Pine Canyon, but it
was not learned what its condition was.
Inc hotel, two miles below the summit,
has been abandoned, but the boys found
that back door had been left open, and
heaVy log having gathered on the mountain
the shelter afforded was gladly availed Of
ana as the tramDars ahead nf Ia ma
necessary to make the summit by sunrise, a
STOP was made there for an hour
Inc moon afforded ample light through
out the trip to make travel agreeable. and
separated. and when the summit was
reached, little before o'clock, the eastern
horizon was clear Just for distance to
afford grand view of the sunrise.
AT 5;45 c'cleck the clouds above and on
either side of the clear sky were beanti.
fully lighted and soon assumed brilliancy
resembling great rivers of molten iron. A
few minutes before A. NJ. the fierv globe
shot above the horizon amid the hurrahs of
the boys. Subsequently the fog banks
drltted away, affording magnificent view
OIL the great valleys of the State. the hills
far away to the Sierras on the East and to
Mount ST. Helena on the north, with Mount
hamilton looming up to the south. but all
day the view beyond Angel and Goat ISL
ands was obscured by the fog banks.
80 u hbot = aitol dhidStlue anu EN-
lovlng the view until 8 o'clock. started
homeward at eisurely gait, reaching San
Ramon, where dinner was awaiting.
The trip was without accident, and all
agreed that moonlight night was the best
time to make the ascent, as the sunrise is
the principal feature of the views afforded,
and In this manner the warm part of the
day may be devoted to the downward trim.
The entire expense of the trip is So %. in
Guiding railroad travel TO San Ramon and
return (S2 50l and bed and two meals at
San Ramon Inn.