Tuesday, March 1, 2016
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*At the eastern fringe of the San Francisco Bay Region, Mount Diablo, elevation 3,849 feet, stands alone on the edge of California’s great Central Valley. At this point, the Coast Range consists only of low hills, none high enough to block the view from the upper slopes of the mountain. As a result, the view is spectacular.
*Mount Diablo is a popular place to view the truly stunning scenery of coastal and central California-a kaleidoscope of deep bays, agricultural plains, and rugged mountains. To appreciate the physical aspect and spirit of Mt Diablo, explore it on foot and come into close contact with the plants and wildlife, the unique geology, even traces of forgotten history. An excellent system of trails is available to the adventurous ad to those who simply seek moments of peace and solitude to revitalize their spirit.
This hike goes for a counter clockwise loop up from the Regency Gate Trailhead in Clayton to Mt Diablo’s North Peak. Begin this hike at the end of Mountaire Pkwy-descend the steep trail to the Regency Gate Trailhead.
mt diablo
to regency gate trailhead
At the first Donner Canyon Rd junction: turn right onto Back Creek Trail and head up the low hill through the oak grasslands. The trail winds 2.6 miles with a steady climb up to Murchio Gap.
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
to back creek trail
At Murchio Rd junction: go straight to stay on Back Creek Trail. The trail winds along Back Creek through the dense foothill woodlands, riparian habitat and creek crossings.
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
Some wildflowers!
wildflowers
wildflowers
wildflowers
At Tick Wood Trail junction: go straight to stay on Back Creek Trail. The trail narrows as it follows along side the creek.
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
wildflowers
back creek trail
back creek trail
At Meridian Point Trail junction: go straight to stay on Back Creek Trail. The trail continues through the dense woodlands and opens out along the side of the mountain on a rocky gravelly road.
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
The trail cuts back through the woodlands on rocky terrain and dense manzanitas towards Murchio Gap.
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
back creek trail
Arrive at Murcho Gap at 2330 feet-enjoy the views!
murchio gap-2330 feet
murchio gap-2330 feet
murchio gap-2330 feet
murchio gap-2330 feet
murchio gap-2330 feet
Go right on Meridian Ridge Rd followed by an immediate left onto Bald Ridge Trail. The trail begins with a steep climb through rocky terrain and dense brush.
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
It reaches a high point at Bald Knob-2645 feet. Stop and take in the fabulous valley vistas and mountain peaks!
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
The trail continues along the ridge through the landscape of junipers, pines and early spring flowers.
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
wildflowers
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
wildflowers
Bald Ridge Trail exits the ridge and continues on a steady climb up through the shaded woodlands and rocky terrain towards Prospectors Gap.
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
wildflowers
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail
bald ridge trail-view of diablo summit
bald ridge trail
Arrive at Prospectors Gap at 2960 feet.
prospectors gap-2960 feet
prospectors gap-2960 feet
prospectors gap-2960 feet
prospectors gap-2960 feet
prospectors gap-2960 feet
At Bald Ridge/Prospectors Gap Trail junction: go right and follow the broad road to North Peak Rd junction. The broad road goes along the ridge with splendid southeastern views!
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
North Peak Rd is a steady 0.8 mile climb up to the summit at 3557 feet.
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
The road continues up to a high point at the concrete utility shed.
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
At the North Peak sign post-it’s another 0.23 mile stretch to the summit. The road tilts up along the peaks’ rugged rock outcroppings and formations before coming to a super steep pitch.
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
north peak rd
The steep rocky slope winds up for about 1/10th of a mile before leveling out near the top.
north peak rd-steep rocky slope
north peak rd-steep rocky slope
north peak rd-steep rocky slope
steep rocky slope
north peak rd-steep rocky slope
north peak rd-steep rocky slope
Arrive at the base of the transmission towers at North Peak-3557 feet!
north peak 3557 feet
north peak views
north peak views
north peak 3557 feet
Enjoy the magnificent vistas!
north peak views
north peak views
north peak views
north peak views
north peak views
north peak views
On the descent-use caution and watch you footing on the steep slope! make your way back down to Prospectors Gap.
steep unstable slope
steep unstable slope
Turn right and continue on Prospectors Gap Rd. Descend the wide fire road with caution-the loose terrain provides unstable footing on the steep downhill for the next 0.8 mile.
prospectors gap rd
prospectors gap rd
prospectors gap rd
prospectors gap rd
prospectors gap rd
At Big Springs junction at 2073 feet-turn right for the short detour to check out the spring water flowing along the creek. U-turn and continue on Prospectors Gap Rd.
big springs
to big springs
big springs
big springs
big springs
When you reach the horse trough at Middle Trail junction-turn right onto Middle Trail.
prospectors gap rd
prospectors gap rd
prospectors gap rd
The narrow trail winds down the mountain with the occasional glimpse of the valley and mountain peaks towards Meridian Ridge for the next 1.49 miles.
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
wildflowers
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
wildflowers
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
At the Falls Trail junction: go straight to stay on Middle Trail for another half mile, it descends through dense woodlands to Meridian Ridge Rd.
middle trail
middle trail
wildflowers
middle trail
middle trail
middle trail
wildflowers
middle trail
At Meridian Ridge Rd junction: turn right onto Meridian Ridge Rd for a short .07 mile.
meridian ridge rd
meridian ridge rd
meridian ridge rd
At Donner Canyon Rd junction: turn left onto Donner Canyon Rd. The wide fire road drops down from the ridge out to the oak grasslands.
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
At Hetherington Trail junction: go straight to stay on Donner Canyon Rd. The steep downhill follows along Donner Creek towards the Old Donner Cabin Site.
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
Donner Canyon Rd continues north through the lower foothills.
donner creek
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner canyon rd
donner creek
donner canyon rd
Arrive at Regency Gate Trailhead; exit gate and turn left for the steep pitch up to Mountaire Pkwy.
to mountaire pkwy
wildflowers
to regency gate trailhead
mountaire pkwy
mt diablo
Mount Diablo State Park has an extensive network of trails and unpaved fire roads. The trails/road conditions vary, with some being broad and gently sloping and others narrow and steep. Hiking up to Mt Diablo North Peak is a great way to immerse yourself around the park’s back country and enjoy the natural beauty of the mountain! Bring food and plenty of water-there is no water on the trails! Stop at the many vista areas along the hike to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views! This is only one of many variations of trails to take for the hike up North Peak-bring or print out this trail map and follow this route or map out one of your own!
Stats:
9.75 Miles with 3207′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 3515′
Time: 5 hours with a couple of stops
Hike: Challenging-strenuous
Parking: Free street parking at the end of Mountaire Parkway in Clayton.
No facilities & no water. Descend steep trail to the park gate below.
Bring water & food/snacks-No amenities along the trails
NO DOGS ALLOWED
Weather: Sunny & warm with temps ranging from the low 60’s to the low 70’s-NW winds
Directions: Regency Gate > R-Back Creek Trail > L-Bald Ridge Trail > North Peak > Prospectors Gap Rd > Middle Trail > Meridian Ridge Rd > Donner Canyon Rd > Regency Gate
*The current edition “Mount Diablo Trail Map” is available for purchase at the park entrance stations, Summit Visitor Center and Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center in Mt. Diablo State Park. They are also available at selected retail map distribution stores such as REI and on-line at MDIA’s Store.
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Ride Chronicles 
thanks for posting, Nancy. Regency Gate is my favorite way to access the mountain on foot, too! steep and challenging, and so beautiful.
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Hey, you’re welcome! The wildflowers are starting to bloom-it’s a great time to hike the mountain!
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