Completed: February 20, 2023 | Elevation: 3,849′ | Trail: n/a | Distance: n/a
On our way back from a weekend in Yosemite, where we got a chance to observe the Firefall and do a bit of snow camping, we decided to make a stop and check off another Nifty Ninety. We were actually driving on 580, and had just come through the Altamont Pass, when Chris casually said, “Hey, feel like driving to the top of Mount Diablo?” It was President’s Day and only 1:00 in the afternoon, so why not?
Since we’ve done the hike to the summit numerous times from the Mitchell Canyon Staging Area in Clayton, usually as part our training regimen for other big hikes, I felt like driving to the top was okay for the purposes of this Nifty Ninety challenge. More practically, there likely wasn’t going to be time to hike it given there were two other peaks in this park that we would have to come back another time to climb.
We veered onto 680, drove past the new developments dotting the hillside, and then followed backroads through Blackhawk and Diablo to South Gate Road, the start of a long and very winding drive to the top of Mount Diablo. With no guardrails and the installation of new bike turnouts, the road is even narrower in some parts than it used to be. It’s probably not the best drive for one prone to carsickness, or who has a fear of heights.
The drive up was beautiful, with views of the rolling green hills, lush from all the recent rains. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the parking lot at the top. Even though it was a holiday, we didn’t have to wait too long before a spot opened up.
We headed to the observation deck where we could see unbroken views out to the snow-capped peaks of the mountains we had just come from. North Peak and Mount Olympia, our goal for another weekend, could be seen not too far off in the distance.
Inside the Visitor Center, we watched an interesting short video about the history of the mountain, that included all the people that had tried to commercialize access to it before it became a designated park.
We then went upstairs to see and stand on the actual summit of Mount Diablo. The floor of the building was built around the peak, which juts out through a carpeted area. Mission accomplished!
Back in the car, we made our way down the mountain, but this time, once we reached the end of Summit Road, we turned right onto North Gate Road which allowed us to exit the park in Walnut Creek.
Follow our progress bagging the Bay Area’s Nifty Ninety here.
Coda
Mount Diablo is such an iconic Bay Area mountain. We can see the top of it from our home in San Francisco. We’ve been up and down Mount Diablo, by foot and by car, countless times. The 360° views from the top can’t be beat. It’s my go to hike when I need to train. I have no doubt that I will be up there many more times to come.
Additional Info
- The vehicle entrance fee is USD 10.00