STEP BY STEP

↑ Proceed to Mitchell Canyon Road. The trailhead is at the southern end of the parking lot.

← Shortly after, make a left onto Oak Road.

↑ Continue onto Coulter Pines Trail.

→ Stay right onto Eagle Peak Trail.

← At the next fork (near Twin Peaks), stay left to continue on Eagle Peak Trail.

↑ Continue onto Bald Ridge Trail after passing Meridian Ridge Road.

→ Turn right onto North Peak Trail.

→ Turn right onto Summit Trail right before hitting Summit Road. Follow signs for the summit or visitor center to reach the top.

↑ From the visitor center, walk past the picnic benches and overflow parking area to proceed onto Juniper Trail.

→ Juniper Trail tees into Deer Flat Road. Make a right onto Deer Flat Road.

→ Stay right onto Meridian Ridge Road.

← Stay left onto Mitchell Canyon Road, which takes you all the way back to Mitchell Canyon parking.

MUSINGS

This hike made such a lasting impression on us not only for how satisfyingly grueling it was (hello sore legs!), but also because we were constantly surrounded by exceptionally dense fog on our first visit in 2016. Our trek started out drizzly, muddy, and admittedly a little miserable, but we quickly appreciated the ominous beauty of the dense white haze. Since we couldn’t see into the distance, everything — from massive oak trees to peaceful meadows — was a surprise, only appearing before us when we were within 50 feet of them. The following descriptions won’t do it justice, but we hope you’ll go out there and experience this place for yourself. We also highly recommend hiking this trail in early spring to early summer — the ideal window for stunning wildflower blooms, picturesque greenery (think Windows XP background), and pleasant weather to boot.

You’ll first embark on a warm-up on Oak Trail before climbing up Eagle Peak, where you’ll already enjoy the sweeping views of nearby Clayton, Concord, and Walnut Creek. Straight ahead and up 2.5 miles is the summit of Mount Diablo, so here’s your chance to picture your goal the rest of the way there! Yes, it’s daunting. Yes, you’ll conquer it.

Along the way on Bald Ridge Trail and North Peak Trail, don’t forget to take breaks and enjoy the scenery. There are plenty of vista points overlooking steep canyons and distant suburbs.

At the summit, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. Check out the visitor center (currently closed due to COVID-19) where you can step foot on the official tip of the mountain and learn more about the historical and ecological significance of the area. On a perfectly clear day (best the day after a strong storm), you can literally see across the state, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, and 40 of California’s 58 counties. Some claim you can even see Half Dome with binoculars.

The summit is also an excellent place for a well-deserved snack or lunch. We recommend spending at least a good half an hour up here to soak in all the views.

As you meander down Juniper Trail and Deer Flat Trail, you’ll encounter some of the most giant oak trees you’ve ever seen, which create a nature-saturated descent, guaranteed to delight.

Finally, Mitchell Canyon Road takes you along tranquil Deer Flat Creek and is a perfect, relaxing way to end the hike. There’s a chance you’ll be accompanied by turkeys and deer, grazing on the surrounding hills. Not quite Narnia, but pretty close.