Lime Ridge Open Space is a vaguely key-shaped parcel of land stretching from Concord south into Walnut Creek. The open space is cut into three chunks by two bisecting roads bustling with auto traffic. Each section generally serves the directly adjacent neighborhoods, offering broad dirt trails through rolling grassland, perfect for dog walking, and daily strolls or runs. Lime Ridge hosts no facilities, and many trails are unsigned, but it would be tough to get lost in this small open space preserve. Southeast of Ygnacio Boulevard you'll find slightly steeper hills ascending through oaks and then chaparral. These hills reach toward Mount Diablo State Park, but trail access is blocked by intervening private lands.
      The open space runs right up to housing developments in ever expanding Walnut Creek and Concord neighborhoods. Historically, lime was mined here, and the land still bears the scars from years of mineral extractions. Time has softened the mining wounds and these days you're more likely to notice fresh green grass draped on the hillsides in winter, and a riot of wildflowers in spring.
     I reached the preserve after a warm-up walk on the Contra Costa Canal Trail, and Lime Ridge is a nice destination after a leisurely walk on the flat paved trail that winds through Walnut Creek.
     Start at the Contra Costa Canal Trail on the east side of Citrus (you can also park at the end of Navaronne Way in the neighborhood slightly to the east). Walk a few feet on the paved path, cross a massive water aqueduct, and you'll reach a signed junction. Turn right. Almost immediately, turn left, following the signs for the California Riding and Hiking Trail.
      The dirt multi-use path climbs along a fence, and at 0.10 mile, you'll pass the end of Navaronne Way, on the left. Walk through the first gate, then turn right and walk through a second gate, entering the open space.
     Spider webs of trails depart steeply uphill to the left, straight into a valley, and slightly right. Aim for an open space sign visible near the preserve boundary to the southwest (rightish). The wide trail dips down into a gully, then climbs gently through grassland. After you pass the information sign, stay to the left as another trail veers right.
     You'll climb easily toward the chaparral cloaked slopes of the southern section of the preserve. Ignore a side path heading uphill to the right, and persist on the fire road, where you might see coyote and bobcat tracks. The trail sweeps around a hill, and at 0.61 mile, reaches an undersigned junction (just a post with arrows pointing left and right). Traffic from Ygnacio Valley Road is visible and audible to the right. Take a soft left (although if you make a hard left you'll eventually end up in the same place).
     The broad trail begins to shrink to a tiny trail. You may notice lumpy looking sections or earth, a crater, and some loose boulders: this was one of the quarry sites. After a short level stretch, the path passes a tripod oak stump, and then descends into the valley. After merging with another trail feeding in from the left, the path heads past an old oak and begin a steep climb. If you stop to catch your breath, look south for ever-increasing views past Ygnacio Valley Road to Lime Ridge's far reaches and even further, to the peaks of Mount Diablo. Squirrels are everywhere, scurrying through the grass, and you might see a redtail hawk soaring overhead, in search of a quick bite. The grade finally slackens and the trail swings left along a ridge. At 1.02 miles, you'll reach an unsigned junction at a saddle. The trail straight heads out of the open space and into a Concord neighborhood. Turn left.
     A side path shoots straight uphill to the right, an option if you'd like sweeping views in every direction. On the wide path which skirts the hilltop there are nice views north, south, and west. Visit on a clear day and you might make out the spine of Las Trampas, the soft hills of Briones, and the jagged peaks of Mount Diablo. At 1.22 miles, you'll reach yet another unsigned junction. Turn left.
     The trail begins a sharp descent back into the valley, and from the path you can eyeball your way back out of the open space. At 1.47 miles, bear right at an unsigned junction, then turn left at 1.53 miles, just before the fence line. You'll reach the gate out of the preserve at 1.59 miles, and from there retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

Total distance: 1.69 miles
Last hiked: Monday, November 27, 2001

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