Can you die without walking? Trip to American National Parks (19) To the famous peaks of the California Bay Area Mount Diablo State Park
Written by Sayaka Kato
This time, as we did last time, we will introduce hiking trails that you can easily go to from San Francisco and that you can enjoy at any time of the year. This is a simple and refreshing hike that is unique to California!
Heading north from San Francisco for about an hour, you will find Mount Diablo State Park, and towering over there is Mount Diablo, a famous mountain, a symbol of the Bay Area (San Francisco metropolitan area).
Mount Diablo has long been considered a sacred place for many Native Americans, and previously considered by the Miwalk Native Americans as a hub of creation. There are still some stone holes where they once crushed acorns and other nuts into powder.
The state park, home to this sacred mountain, Mount Diablo, is a 20,000-acre state park located in Contra Costa County (near Walnut Creek) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mount Diablo is 3,849 feet (1,173 m) tall, and isn't that high, but there are no high mountains around, making the view from the top on a sunny day. From the summit you can enjoy the majestic views of the Bay Area and surrounding area, and when you look north, you can also enjoy the majestic views of Lassen Peak, which stretches 181 miles (about 290 km) away.
It is also a perfect outdoor location where you can enjoy hiking, cycling, horse riding, camping, and more (a Bay Area state park that is popular with citizens all year round).
This time we will introduce the longest route from the trailhead at the foot of the mountain to the summit, but the length and strength can be adjusted by changing the starting point (you can also drive to the summit of Mount Diablo).
The good thing about hiking is that you can enjoy the various natural scenery that appear along the way by walking, at your own pace, along with the sounds and air of the place. The encounters with the animals and plants that you can only meet at that time were also a great memory. This place is better for hiking during the cold season than in the summer when the temperatures are rising. The scenery is especially beautiful under the clear air after rain. It's only California that you can enjoy hiking casually even in winter.
table of contents
Mount Diablo Trail hiking information
Here's an overview of the Mitchell Creek to Diablo Summit (Mt.Diablo: Mitchell Creek to Diablo Summit).
Good things to carry on hiking
As with all your belongings, just like before, prepare the same equipment as a typical American hike.
- Drinks (More in the summer, about 2 liters)
- Cold weather wear that can adjust the temperature
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
- Other things you prefer with your regular hiking equipment
Trail data
- For intermediate and advanced users and above
- Season: The best seasons are from September to June (although it is possible throughout the year, it is more comfortable to climb in winter than in summer when the temperature rises).
- Mount Diablo Elevation: 3,849 feet (1,173 m)
- Round trip: Approx. 20.8km (13mile)
- Height difference: Approx. 1092m (3,585 ft)
- Course time: 6 to 8 hours round trip (including breaks)
Access (car to the trailhead)
Trailhead Address: Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center (96 Mitchell Canyon Rd, Clayton, CA 94517) (1 of the above map)
Put this in your GPS and you'll reach the trailhead.
There is a visitor centre and parking just before the trailhead, and a bathroom and more. A parking fee of $6 per car is required. It is open from 8am until sunset.
Hiking departure from the trailhead (trailhead)
Once we've got ready, it's time to leave. The trailhead is immediately visible from the side of the car park.
This Mitchell Canyon Fire Road is the trailhead. We'll start from here.
*This route will be roughly divided from the trailhead to follow the trails connected in a loop: "Mitchell Canyon Trail → Meridian Ridge Trail → Summit Trail → Juniper Trail → Deer Flat." You can walk from either clockwise or counterclockwise, but clockwise is better for viewing, so head in a clockwise direction.
Go left at the fork just past the trailhead. The slope continues from the beginning, but the sun is sparkling and very pleasant.
The trail is also very clear and paved. This is a mountain trail that is basically a gravel trail.
Along the way, you will also be passing by the summit with a spectacular view, so first walk towards Eagle Peak.
As I walked, I looked up at the sun and saw a beautiful parasol and HALO. It is said to be a sign that the weather will be a disappointing thing, but this day is wonderful and it's a perfect day for hiking. About an hour after I started walking, I arrived at Twin Peaks. (Movie 2)
The scenery is beautiful and I take a short break to take a breather here.
After Twin Peaks, our next destination is Eagle Peak (722 meters).
The blue sky and clouds are very beautiful. Not only was the view around us, but the clouds were changing every moment, and it was a very beautiful day. I also came across coyotes here.
Then, about an hour and a half after departure, we arrived at Eagle Peak (map 3 above).
A stunning 360-degree view is evident under the blue sky. We took a short break here and headed out again.
The slope continued, but after this the downhill begins a little, so it's a little easier.
As you continue, you will be on the road. MRRIDIAN RIDGE RODE The trail (map 4 above) continues across the road, so cross the road and continue along the trail.
The slope begins again and the altitude gradually increases. It was a weekday so I only met other hikers occasionally, and the trail is open (it is expected to be crowded on weekends as it is a popular trail).
The sky is clear and it's a very pleasant day for hiking.
If you go further, you will see a fork between MERIDIAN RIDGE and SUMMIT TRAIL. I'm heading to the summit of today's destination, Mount Diablo, so I headed towards SUMMIT TRAIL. On this trail, I came across deer and coyotes. One of the fun things about encounters with wildlife while hiking is also a great place.
Beyond that, another spectacular view will be spread out. It was lunchtime, so we found a place with a good view and took a break. The weather was nice, so we could see the mountains far away, and California Condors and other places were dancing in the sky with a pleasant look.
Just another break to the summit of Diablo. After the break, we set off for the last sprint.
At the summit there is a historic lighthouse called Mount Diablo Beacon, which is what we are today's destination, and although I could see the lighthouse in the distance several times on my hike, it finally came close to my eyes.
And 3 hours and 45 minutes after the start, we finally reached the peak.
Mount Diablo Beacon (Maps 5 above)
View from the summit
The Mount Diablo Beacon is on the summit. This beacon was originally lit from the top of Diablo every night, in the early days of commercial aviation. (Ages where there was no navigation yet) It was lit by Charles Lindbergh in 1928.
However, in 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, and after that, the United States feared an attack on the mainland by the Japanese army, decided to turn off the lights, saying that the lights here should not be a marker for the Japanese army.
After the war ended, the beacon was lit up again, and a ceremony was held on December 7th, 1964 at the visitor center on the summit. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the American Fleet Admiral, turned on the switch and turned on the beacon, and after the war the beacon was lit once more.
Since then, even now that the war has ended, lights are still lit every December 7th at Pearl Harbor to those who lost their lives. It's like a light dedicated to many people who lost their lives in World War II. It's a place with such a history.
After taking a break and enjoying the majestic views from the summit, we finally set off for the remaining half of the trail.
The Mount Diablo Beacon car park area also has water supply and toilets. For the second half of the route, head to the Junifer Trail from the Summit Trail, which leads to the parking lot.
The return journey also features a different view than the outbound journey.
As you go down, you will see a campsite (Camp Ground Juniper, map 6 above).
Continue further towards Deer Flat.
After the campsite, you will have to go straight to Deer Flat. It's very simple and easy to understand. Approximately six hours after the start, we arrived at the trailhead. This trail has a truly beautiful view when it comes to nice weather, so be sure to check the weather forecast.
Notes regarding the spread of COVID-19
As of April 2021, various countries are likely to experience a variety of situations, including entry restrictions due to the strengthening of quarantine systems, restrictions on admission to national parks, and restrictions on travel within the country. These conditions may change without notice, so when traveling, be sure to obtain local information such as embassies and consulates of each country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas safety website (infectious disease risk information) and national park websites, and check the information about the transfer location, the countries where you plan to travel, and the area around the destinations you plan to visit before making any effort to plan and take reasonable steps.
Kato Sayaka
Leave your California hiking and travel plans to us. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.
