On the day Murrieta had taken the drove this far, signal fires were lit from the peak in the distance. Looking down the Tesla Grade, south of Livermore, El Mocho could see the smoke, rising in plumes, from on top of his horse, waiting for his boss at Estacione #4, He would know to expect him in a couple of days and spend that time rustling the last of the stray mustangs roaming the San Joaquin Valley south of Altamont, repairing the manzanita corrals, and making sure the water was flowing from the spring. This view is much the same as it was back then, the same trail, or parts of it, that I’m walking now, making my way to the top. The hike is spectacular, about three and half miles in, and if you head straight for the highest peak, just as the crow flies, ignoring trails and climbing fences, as is my pleasure, you can have an adventure, even get lost, or just take in a view, that hasn’t changed much in a 175 years.

Old oak – summit at Brushy Peak. It is entirely possible Murrieta took in this view. In May, the days are noticeably starting to warm, but the late afternoons so favorable he’d take in a short nap before he’d hobble the horses for the night, I would. La Molinera traveled with his band of vaqueros; a woman dressed as a man. 10 years later she testified to this in a court hearing, and several other sources corroborate, she was Murrieta’s lover, rode with his gang of outlaws, and sat sipping min