Hiking Mt Diablo

Location-Directions: From Cupertino, take 85N to 237 E and then head North on 880. Take the Mission Blvd exit in Fremont and after about 3/4 of mile, merge onto Highway 680 to Danville; take Diablo Road exit, then 3 miles east to Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd. and up the road.

Summary: Hiked up to the summit of Mt. Diablo and back to camp for the ROTB patch. Returned by car to view the sunset. The central valley was fogged in and the shadow of the museum was cast over the entire valley. Climbed and hiked at Rock City on Sunday. Some scouts worked on Lashing.

Telephone contact: (for group reservations):

Reserve America: 1-800-444-7275

Cost: Camp fees are $0.75 times the capacity of the camp plus $7.50 reservation fee

About Mount Diablo SP:

This park is one of the ecological treasures of the San Francisco Bay Area. Every season in the park has its special qualities. Discover for yourself the mountain's beautiful wildflowers, its extensive trail system, fascinating wildlife and distinctive rock formations. View the stars from its lofty heights, bike ride to its 3,849 foot summit or explore the more remote trails by horseback. The park offers hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping.

Facilities - Activities
Many visitors to Mount Diablo head straight for the summit to enjoy the famous view. Summer days are sometimes hazy, and the best viewing is often on the day after a winter storm. Then, you can look to the west, beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Farallon Islands; southeast to the James Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton at 4,213 feet elevation; south to Mount Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 3,791 feet elevation, north to Mount Saint Helena in the Coast Range at 4,344 feet elevation, and still farther north to Mount Lassen in the Cascades at 10,466 feet. North and east of Mount Diablo the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers meet to form the twisting waterways of the Delta. To the east beyond California's great central valley, the crest of the Sierra Nevada seems to float in space.

The Fire Interpretive Trail
Just below the summit, this trail offers spectacular vistas that can be enjoyed along the way. The first half of the gentle 0.7-mile loop trail is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. Pick up a copy of the trail Nature Guide at the trailhead.

Rock City
You'll find unusually large sandstone formations and small caves here.

Boy Scout Rocks and Sentinel Rock
These are popular places near Rock City for rock climbing. Check with the ranger for regulations and the best approach.

Fossil Ridge
Evidence of previous residents is embedded in these rocks. Please leave them for future visitors to see.