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California Labyrinths   . function doRollover(elem, rollover_color, text_color){ // set background color of TD if (elem.parentNode){ // IE5, IE6 and Netscape 6 if (rollover_color == 'transparent'){ // Netscape does not like the word "transparent". elem.parentNode.bgColor = ''; } else{ elem.parentNode.bgColor=rollover_color; } } else if (elem.parentElement && elem.parentElement.setAttribute){ // IE4. elem.parentElement.setAttribute("bgColor", rollover_color); } else{ // Netscape 4.6x or 4.7x //alert("Must be Netscape! do nothing"); } // set color of the link text if (elem.children){ // IE4, IE5, IE6 and Netscape 6 elem.children(0).style.color=text_color; } } Home Walking the Labyrinth Voices from the Labyrinth Kindred Spirits World Spiritual and Celestial Calendar Gatherings at the Labyrinth Virtual Labyrinth We'd Like To Hear From You! Please allow 2 minutes for this webpage to load if using a standard 56K modem.  Everything you always wanted to know about the Labyrinth * * But were afraid to ask: The Labyrinth is located precisely at: Longitude: 122 degrees west, 11 minutes, 25 seconds (-122.19043) Latitude: 37 degrees north, 51 minutes, 11 seconds ( 37.85304) Okay... 65 feet (20 meters) below Post #4, in the quarry pit, described in the interpretive trail guide, in Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, in the East Bay Regional Park District, located in the hills above Oakland, California. Not quite a ¾ mile, gentle hill-and-dell walk from an easily accessible trailhead, one will encounter no more than about a 200 foot (61 meters) change in vertical in getting there. The Labyrinth is about 1,575 feet (480 meters) above sea level. From Post #4, take the short, narrow dirt road that leads south (to your right, when facing the Labyrinth from above), then loops back north and down into the quarry pit, ending at the Labyrinth. Avoid scrambling down any trails directly to the Labyrinth as the slopes at the quarry (actually a gravel quarry) are steep, unstable and quite dangerous. It’s not uncommon for visitors to experience at least one minor landslide at some time during their short visit. It’s just a reminder of nature reclaiming itself, taking on a more natural, stable configuration to the landscape. The Labyrinth was built, during the spring equinox in 1990, by Helena Mazzariello (b. c.1960- ), in an area that she routinely took her goats to graze. She originally layed out the Labyrinth as a classical (or 7-circuit), left-handed, earthen labyrinth. But her labyrinth quickly took on a life of its own as hikers, now attracted to the site, began to build it up as a rock labyrinth before Helena could finish it. Labyrinths are described by how many concentric circuits or paths they contain, and the first turn in this labyrinth is to the left. Unlike a maze (and even some labyrinths), a classical labyrinth has a single, well-defined path that leads to the center with no dead ends, no loops and no forks. All classical labyrinths share the basic features of an entrance, a single circuitous path and a center (aka cairn, altar, eye, fire pit, or shrine). Some of the earliest forms of the labyrinth are found in Crete, dating back to 1500 BC. The legend of Theseus and the Minotaur generally comes to mind at the mention of the word ‘labyrinth,’ but few today know and recognize the labyrinth symbol. So important was the labyrinth in ancient Crete that it was minted on coins and inscribed on pottery of the time. An amazing aspect of the classical labyrinth is that historical variations of its 7-circuit structure can be found throughout Europe, as well as the orient, and even pre-columbian North and South America. An additional rogue path was later added to the Mazzariello Labyrinth by someone, obviously on a lark, that extended the original entrance from the south, around to the now familiar northwest entrance. The Friends of the Labyrinth feel this addition adds a funky, yet special California twist to the experience. The Mazzariello Labyrinth was the first of five labyrinths built throughout the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve and is, by far, the largest and most visited. Urban legends persist, of other labyrinths having been built in the area of present day Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, prior to 1990 -and even during the 1930's and 1940's. Unfortunately, thorough studies of high resolution black and white aerial photo archives of the era only prove a void of such activities. North  Aerial View of the Labyrinth In traditional fashion, the Labyrinth was carefully laid out to a north-south and east-west orientation. Measuring 55 feet (16.76 meters) across, north to south, and spanning 57 feet 5 inches (17.5 meters), east to west. Walking the Labyrinth, from the opening to the center and back out again, one will cover a total distance of 1,352 feet (412 meters). That's the equivalent length of 4 ½ football fields, carefully laid out in a very small place. North  Aerial View of Labyrinth Canyon Due to its location, at the bottom of a small but steep canyon, the length of a typical day at the Labyrinth (or the time the sun's direct rays warm its center) is shortened by about 4 hours, 42 minutes. While not important to the casual visitor, the actual moment of sunrise and sunset is crucial in some rituals. It's also a concern to those who desire to plan a visit that avoids the unpleasant extremes in temperature that are so common with the summer and winter seasons. In the summer, actual sunrise at the Labyrinth, the moment when the sun's rays strike the central cairn, will be about 2 hours, 9 minutes (more or less) later than the daily sunrise posted in local weather forecasts. In the fall and spring, actual sunrise at the Labyrinth will be about 1 hour, 54 minutes (more or less) later than the daily sunrise posted in local weather forecasts. In the winter, actual sunrise at the Labyrinth will be about 1 hour, 19 minutes (more or less) later than the daily sunrise posted in local weather forecasts. The sun's rays will sweep in from the west, across the floor of the canyon, toward the central cairn at an average rate (ever slowing) of 1.24 feet (.38 meters) per minute.  It’s not uncommon for Sibley Regional Preserve (as well as other regional parks) to be temporarily closed due to dry weather conditions that could cause an extreme fire hazard, putting hikers at risk (it’s impossible to outrun a western wildfire). Before your visit, it’s a good idea to phone the East Bay Regional Park Office and Trail Closure Hotline for a recorded message as to specific park closures. Their number is: 510-544-2222  Mountain Lions at the Labyrinth: (aka puma, Felis concolor) The Labyrinth is located in mountain lion country, which means that when you disembark from your car at the trailhead, you become a part of the food chain. Actually, while mountain lion sightings are not uncommon in the hills of the East Bay, there has been no record of a mountain lion ever having attacked a person in the area of the Labyrinth. But, in 2004, a mountain lion was killed in the county, for public safety reasons. Mountain lion attacks on humans are on the increase and the Park District encourages caution when hiking or biking in open spaces in the East Bay. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and tarantulas are also native to the area of the Labyrinth. And, like the mountain lion, are just a few of the many realities that give the Labyrinth a special, tough edge. Mountain lions are generally elusive and wary of people, but, like any wildlife, they can be potentially dangerous. Here are some guidelines in dealing with the mountain lion threat: Do not hike alone. A mountain lion will usually only stalk solitary people. Go in groups, with adults supervising children. Keep children close to you. Mountain lions seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times. Do not approach a mountain lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape. Do not run from a mountain lion. A mountain lion can out-sprint a race horse. Running may also stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If there are small children there, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion. Do not crouch or bend over. A human standing up is just not the right shape for a cat's prey. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. When in mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children. Appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it. Fight back if attacked. Although a 160 pound mountain lion is fully capable of downing an 800 pound elk, many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal. If you see a mountain lion in a Regional Park, remember the date, time, location, and exact circumstances. Report it to the Park District's Ecological Services Coordinator, Steve Bobzien, at (510) 544-2347 or |
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