March 16th, 2024 – my third hike of the challenge!

There were so many routes to choose from in Mount Diablo State Park, but once I found the Six Peaks Loop, I knew it had to be this one. Not only was I going to challenge myself to hike to the summit of Mount Diablo, but I was going to hike to five additional peaks in the park along the way. I didn’t know if I could accomplish it, but I was determined to try, and this was my proudest journey as a hiker so far. 

My Garmin tracked 16.78 miles and 5446 ft of elevation gain:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/14443444326

AllTrails Route & My Activity Recording:

Six Peaks Loop

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/evening-hike-at-six-peaks-loop-46771d1

I traveled clockwise, which I personally would recommend. The first approximately 5 miles were smooth and gradual, but the ascent to Mount Olympia became quite a burn as it climbed rapidly to the peak, so I was glad to make the climb with fresh legs. Because the next two peaks, North Peak and Mount Diablo’s Summit, were out-and-back offshoots from the loop, I preferred having those land earlier in the hike too.

Key Takeaways: 

Trekking poles were a must – they were so helpful on the steep descents and for the three stream crossings near the start of the trail. I drank over 4 liters of water and would recommend bringing a backpack with a water reservoir – it definitely made staying hydrated more efficient while on the move. Also be very careful where you step, not only because the trail is often narrow and steep, but because there are rattlesnakes in the park. I didn’t spot any snakes on my hike, but I was very aware that I could see or hear one at any time. 

Mount Olympia:

Phenomenal views! It was a sunny, clear day, and snow was visible along the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the distance. 

North Peak:

North Peak Road felt like the steepest incline of all six peaks. There is a radio tower and some telephone wires and buildings at the top that somewhat obstruct the views, but it’s still a super exciting viewpoint for looking toward the next peak, Mount Diablo’s summit!

Mount Diablo Summit:

My favorite views of the entire hike were during this ascent – the hills were so vibrantly green in the spring, and every time I paused to catch my breath while climbing, there was an amazing panorama to take in. There were a few rock scrambles to the top, and it was definitely hot in the midday sun (there is little tree cover on this section of the trail).

Eagle Peak:

The rises and dips on Bald Ridge Trail were pretty challenging on tired legs, and it was a long push to get to where the trail climbs to Eagle Peak. The steep ascent to the top felt like the most precarious part of the entire hike because of the rocky terrain and close proximity to the cliff edge. [For a short section of the ascent near the Eagle Peak trail marker, I took a well-defined path to the peak that I realized afterwards was slightly adjacent to the mapped route on AllTrails. Because I wanted to follow the map as closely as possible, I backtracked from the peak to find where I had gone off-course, but I wasn’t able to fully find the mapped path, and what I did find seemed too steep to safely navigate compared to the more defined path I’d taken initially. This could’ve been a GPS error, but I thought I’d mention it in case others run into the same situation.] 

Twin Peaks / Mitchell Rock:

It’s mostly a downhill hike to get to these two peaks from Eagle Peak. I was glad to have hiked in the clockwise direction because the sun sets in the west, so I had sufficient daylight throughout the entire loop. 

Out of the six peaks that I hiked during the challenge (Mission Peak, Mount Saint Helena, Mount Diablo, Mount Tamalpais, Black Mountain, and Mount Umunhum), I’m most proud of this hike because it was the most difficult. It had the most elevation gain and ended up taking just under 11 hours to complete.

I learned so many valuable lessons from hiking the Bay Area Six-Pack of Peaks challenge, and what I learned most from Mount Diablo is that I have so much more strength, resilience, and determination than I ever realized. I learned that when I set my mind to a goal, no matter how impossible it might seem, I can break it down into steps and focus on each step, not letting the overall challenge intimidate and overwhelm me. I kept time management in mind throughout the day to ensure I made it back before sunset, and planned the route in advance, knowing where I needed to keep up a faster pace to make up for tougher sections. I didn't know if I could complete the loop in one day, but I knew that if I could make it to Mount Diablo’s summit within a certain amount of time, I could finish the loop. And if I didn’t make it there within that time frame, I could end the hike at the summit, or turn around and hike downhill back to Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. It was risky to take on such a challenge, but the risks were calculated, and I had plans to pivot to if needed. Ultimately, I was able to complete the entire loop, and I was really proud of myself, not only for persevering and pushing myself beyond what I’d achieved in the past, but for how I’d prepared myself for a journey that would take me to new heights.