Thursday, February 1, 2018

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Mount Diablo State Park is one of the ecological treasures of the San Francisco Bay Area. Every season in the park has its special qualities. Discover them for yourself, from the mountain’s 3,849-foot summit to its beautiful wildflowers, extensive trail system, fascinating wildlife, and distinctive rock formations. *1

This challenging hike goes up to Mitchell Rock and Twin Peaks via Mitchell Rock Trail before continuing southward on Eagle Peak Trail to Eagle Peak and Murchio Gap. Head down the mountain on Back Creek Trail to the foothill meadows for the return to Mt Tamalpais Dr.

Begin at the end of Mt Tamalpais Dr in Clayton, this lightly used No-Name Trail cuts across the foothill meadows to Bruce Lee Rd.

Enjoy the panoramic views!

Cut across Bruce Lee Rd to stay on the No-Name Trail, it continues south across the grassland and scattered oaks to the Oak Rd/Murchio Rd junction.

Go straight onto Oak Rd to Mitchell Rock Trail.

Turn left onto Mitchell Rock Trail; it heads uphill into the dense woodland to the next trail post.

Mitchell Rock Trail turns westward as it continues on a gentle 0.4 mile climb towards Mitchell Rock.

Arrive at Mitchell Rock at 1080 feet. Enjoy the panoramic views!

Continue on Mitchell Rock Trail, the single track heads south as it cuts across the hillside towards the scattered pines and chaparral-covered slopes.

Follow the trail sign, it turns eastward on rocky terrain through the mountain brush.

The trail climbs southward to the lower colored rocks and manzanitas near the lower Twin Peak.

Enjoy the views!

Mitchell Rock Trail snakes through the chaparral up towards the crest of Twin Peaks.

Arrive at Twin Peaks at 1733 feet. Enjoy the panoramic vistas!

Stay on Mitchell Trail, it continues to ascend across the mountainside to Eagle Peak Trail junction. Enjoy the phenomenal views of the canyons and ridges around Diablo!

Stay on Eagle Peak Trail as it cuts through the dense mountain chapparal. Eagle Peak Trail, an exciting hogback, often only a few feet wide, with sharp drop-offs on each side. This trail, of course, leads to Eagle Peak.*1 

Enjoy the views!

Follow the trail sign to stay on Eagle Peak, it continues along the mountainside to a faint Y trail split.

Turn left and head uphill on the No-Name Trail to the top of the ridgeline. The No-Name Trail continues south along the ridge before rejoining Eagle Peak Trail.

Stay on Eagle Peak Trail to Eagle Peak.

Arrive at Eagle Peak at 2369 feet.  Eagle Peak is a rocky belvedere from which to admire the expanse of Contra Costa’s “Central Valley” before you and a good place to pause for a break.*1

Continue southward on Eagle Peak Trail, it drops down along the mountainside on a narrow single track with loose rocks and sharp drop-offs. Watch your footing!

Enjoy the views!

The trail kicks up for a climb through the scattered pines and chaparral-covered slopes to Meridian Ridge Rd.

Turn left onto Meridian Ridge to Murchio Gap at 2330 feet. Enjoy the Sierra and Delta views!

Turn left onto Back Creek Trail, it leads down the mountain with a steep descent on rocky terrain through the dense chaparral and manzanitas.

At Meridian Point Trail junction, go straight to stay on Back Creek. It continues downhill past several creek crossing to Tickwood Trail junction.

Go straight to stay on Back Creek Trail, it continues on rocky terrain along the scenic creek towards the lower foothills.

At the next junction, turn left onto Bruce Lee Rd, it crosses the creek and travels north through the scattered oaks to Coulter Pine Trail junction.

Go straight to stay on Bruce Lee Trail, it exits onto the grassy meadows to Murchio Rd junction.

Go straight to stay on Bruce Lee Trail.

At the next trail split, turn right onto the No-Name Trail to Private Property. The No-Name Trail travels along the park boundary/fenceline to Mt Tamalpais Dr trailhead.

This is a wonderful challenging scenic hike around the north side of the mountain with phenomenal vistas! Hit the trails and enjoy the beauty of Mt Diablo!

*1 http://www.mdia.org/site/park-information/activities/hiking/ten-moderate-hikes

Stats:
7.35 Miles with 2408′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 2388′
Time: 4 hours with multiple stops
Hike: Challenging
Parking: Free street parking at the end of Mt Tamalpais Dr in Clayton.
No facilities & no water.
Bring water & food/snacks-No amenities along the trails
NO DOGS ALLOWED

Weather: Sunny & warm with temps ranging from the high 50’s to the high 60’s with ESE > NW winds

*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 and on-line at MDIA’s Store.

Directions: Mt Tamapais Dr Trailhead > follow No-Name Trail to T junction at unmarked Bruce Lee Rd > X- Bruce Lee Rd-follow No-Name Tr to Murchio Rd Rd junction > S-onto Oak Rd > L-Mitchell Rock Tr > Stop-Mitchell Rock at 1080 feet > continue south on Mitchell Rock Tr > Stop-Twin Peaks at 1733 feet > continue on Mitchell Rock Tr > R-Eagle Peak Tr > Stop-Eagle Peak at 2369 feet >continue on Eagle Peak Tr > L-Meridian Ridge Rd > Stop-Murchio Gap at 2330 feet > L-Back Creek Tr > L-Bruce Lee Rd > S-stay on Bruce Lee Rd to Mitchell Canyon > S-stay on Bruce Lee Rd at Murchio Rd > at Y split > R-road to private property > stay on unmarked trail along park boundary/fence line > exit park at Mt Tamapais Dr