Bruce, all this walking tree needs is a new pair of walking shoes, 😁
Just kidding of course.
This wonderful image proofs me however that you've used your keen eyes on your hikes too, so providing us with remarkable captures, Buddy!

Such a fantastic find, love, love it! tigs=^..^=

I'm probably shinnying up the wrong tree (not to be too pun-ish), but there's always a chance that this tree is the result of the Native American (in that area it would probably have been the Patwin tribe) practice of bending/coercing the tree, as a sapling, into an odd angle, to serve in later years as a sort of signpost, letting trail travelers know which way to continue on. That, of course, supposes that this species (unfamiliar to me) is one that is long-lived, as are the coastal redwoods that average 500-1,000 years and have been know to last 2,000 years. The location of this tree and park also marks it as a coastal tree, not far to the northeast of San Pablo and San Francisco Bays. Another great catch, Bruce.

-nik

Again, Nik is providing some interesting information. I just appreciate all the green here.