Mt St Helena
Had a pair of micro spikes that I wore for about half the hike due to ice and was glad I had them and didn’t…
Category: 2021 NorCal
Perfect end to 2021!
SNOW!! Best day to summit in my opinion. Storm came through the past week, but clear skies and sunny today helped make it a tad…
Best Hike of the Six Peaks
This was the best hike of the six peaks. A lot of running water down the mountain from the recent rains. The views of the…
Mt. Tam: Sea to Summit
Arrived to the Dipsea trailhead at the start of sunrise. The Dipsea portion of the trail was wet and dark from the tree cover but…
Mt. Umunhummm
We did it! Almost to the very last day, we completed the final peak of our Northern California Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge at Mount Umunhum…
Black Mountain Trail with the fellas
Decent trail, views were okay…summit views were mediocre. Not sure why this peak was chosen.
Grand finale- Hiking for the soul
Oh My God!!!! This was the best best best hike. – Feels like a dream I went with my 16 yr old daughter and 2…
Mt. Tam in the fog!
Beautiful views at the top event though it was foggy. Technical rocky trail but more doable than I thought. Lots of great photo opportunities! The…
Mount Tam with Santa
Santa was too busy to hike, but ran into a few deer, so basically the same thing. It was a cold, foggy and rainy hike,…
Last Peak of 2021!
I cut it close and was worried I wouldn’t complete the 2021 NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge by the end of the year because of…
Christmas Eve with Diablooooooo
Cold, windy, and muddy. Hiked this after we got some downpour so it made the first mile challenging. After that I had to fend off…
MT Tam, The Beat for Las!
So glad that there was a break in the rain today so I could conquer my last peak of the challenge, Mt Tamalpais! I started…
Mt. Diablo via Summit Trail
Snowed a few days before we did the hike, trail muddy at lower areas for a bit but overall it was fine. We were above…
Last one before the rain!
Happy that I saved this one for last. Super lovely easy stroll up a nearly empty trail. The fog was thick getting there but quickly…
Fog on Mt. St. Helena
The trail was beautiful, and weather cooperated. Most of the hike to the summit was above the fog. The fog rolled over the mountain on…
Mission Peak Newbie
My first ever time at Mission Peak. It was a difficult hike for me but I am so proud that I completed it! Trail was…
Fogged in on Mt. Tam
The Steep Ravine Trail was definitely the highlight of the hike with tons of waterfalls from recent rains. The rest of the way up was…
Mount Diablo
Cold day to come up. Some parts were not bad, some parts were windy and covered in ice. It’s definitely better be cold than hot…
Black Mountain Hike
This was a quick easy hike. Working on get the last two peaks in before the end of the year.
The most freezingest hike ever!
Dan and I started out from the Ohlone College Parking garage at 8 am. It was 35* F and extremely windy. I had 3 layers…
Helena is Heaven
This was our second hike up Mt St Helena, we did this hike the same time last year. But last year was rainy and foggy,…
#5 Mount Tam
This is by far our longest hike and most beautiful one! At the summit, it felt heavenly, with the full cloud cover. First 4 miles…
A break in the rain to hike Mt. Tamalpais.
The rain stopped for a few days which was perfect to get this last hike in. I have been battling plantar fascitis and remember how…
Diablo Day Hike
A beautiful day for a hike. The trail was a bit muddy in some areas due to recent rains and a bit of snow at…
Mount Diablo (The Final One)
One of the most difficult and rewarding east bay hikes I’ve been on. As others say, go clockwise. Your hard work will pay off with…
Mount St. Helena
Incredible hike! We had snow the night before maybe 4 inches which made it so much fun! The weather was very dramatic – no precipitation…
Winter Wonderland on Mt St Helena
It had rained the day before, and when we got to the mountain we discovered that that meant snow at altitude. A little at the…
Snow Covered Summit
Our group had originally scheduled to summit Mt. St. Helena in the summer. But, when the temperatures climbed, we postponed . . .and postponed .…
Last peak for 2021!
Beautiful, clear day before the rain came. Got a little turned around at the beginning, end up taking Stagecoach to Miller and the Fairy Falls…
CircumTam
Rather than follow the suggested hike from Stinson Beach to the East Peak, I chose to follow in the footsteps of Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder…
Mount Diablo – Final Peak!
Long and intense hike! Beautiful views at the peak and well worth the trip! Finished the 2021 challenge!
Mt. Umunhum
The hike was longer than I had anticipated, but still a great hike. The final trail to the summit was closed for “dangerous conditions”. The…
Mount Saint Helena (not that one)
Really beautiful hike, and the first mile up to the fire road was very interesting with a rough rock trail.
Mt Tam
Had a great hike up Tam yesterday. Went up the Dipsea trail to Steep Ravine then crossed the road and up to the top. Came…
Snow in Sonoma
The last summit! Our group had originally planned to do the hike in the summer, but the temperatures kept rising and we knew it would…
Gorgeous Mt Tam
Took narrow, steep paths up, and fire roads down. Gorgeous views out over the Bay: SF and Mount Diablo.
Mt. Tam
Lovely hike through a lot of single-track trails. The views were spectacular all the way up.
Mt. Tamalpais East Peak
Another awesome hike – incredibly gorgeous! One of my favorites – top two for sure. Stunning views and we had a very clear day. Also…
Double Down Diablo
Five and a half hours of moving time. Completed this trail clockwise which meant that I went up the steeper side and descended the wider…
Mount Tam
Mount Tam was beautiful. More stairs than I thought but that view was absolutely breathtaking. I would rate this hike as moderate/hard.
Rising Above the Clouds
Started out in foggy scrub, rose through misty redwoods, then climbed above the fog into sunny chaparral and finally the peak! Creek and falls were…
Mt. Tam – Wrong way down
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/mountain-theater-west-point-inn-and-mount-tamalpais-loop-d2cdf04?u=i 8.2miles This is a pretty hike, but would recommend going up the steep side first thru Fern Creek. I do not like large loose…
Muppet Song hike
We hiked above the fog, only ones at the summit when we got there. When we finished lollygagging, the parking lot was full. I hummed…
Mount Diablo Summit
Got up early to the parking lot (~8am when it first opened) to make sure we finished before it got dark. Parking is $6 cash…
#4 Mission Peak
Have hiked this one many times, it was fun to complete it as a part of this challenge. Was crowded as always, but a great…
Hiking Black Mountain
It was a great day for a hike, cool in the morning but it warmed up to tank top weather as we were climbing. This…
And Thus We Finish With Tamalpais
“Just makin up poems in my head as I climb toward Mount Tamalpais. See up there, as beautiful a mountain as you’ll see anywhere in…
Last of 6 in 2021!
Great day hike! Lots of people at the start and finish, but not too many on the trails. Sunny but haze obscured the views.
Taming the Tam
Went on a great hike with a small group of just the three of us. Got to explore some cool areas.
Various terrain
It was a long twisty road up, but the views were great. I got there early to beat any crowds and there were only 3…
Completed Mount Saint Helena
Beautiful trail!! Trail in great condition; the first 3/4 mile was fairly rocky but the rest was a smooth and steady climb. Fantastic views from…
Beautiful on Black Mountain
Beautiful weather made for a nice hike. 72°, and only a breeze at the summit. Trails damp, but not muddy. Made for good traction on…
The Final One…Really
Missed this hike with my Six Pack hiking buddy so talked the entire family into going with me. It was perfect weather…cool, then it warmed…
Mount St Helena
This was my 4/6 hike for the challenge. Hiked it while there was an Ultra race happening so it was cool to witness these super…
Mount St. Helena – Calistoga wine
Drove to Calistoga thru amazing vineyards , treated with fall colors vineyards. Beautiful drive to the trail head. NO bathrooms, recommend stopping thru Calistoga. First…
Mount Umunhum
Great hike, beautiful weather. Easier than expected. Parking lot pretty empty despite it being the day after Thanksgiving.
Umunahumhumhumhumanum
Beautiful day for a beautiful hike. Tons of shade and the view always outstanding.
Mount Diablo
Great hike! Trail was pretty wide and there were some portions with loose gravel. Gorgeous fall/winter day! We were able to see other peaks in…
Mount Umunhum
Perfect post Thanksgiving hike. Bit hazy, but perfect temperature. Excellent trail conditions.
#6 St Helena
This hike was mostly over a service road, no shade, fully open, which made it a little monotonous. Gradual inclines, and super windy. Has a…
Any Way the Wind Goes
Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow. Sunny conditions, cool temperatures, perfect for hiking, but boy, was it ever windy. At the beginning…
NOT Mount St. HelenS
I can’t be the only person to have thought that the peak for this challenge was Mount Saint Helens, right? Right?! Glad this one was…
A very windy day
It was a clear and sunny day, which made for some great views. However, it was very windy. We did the loop counter clockwise. We…
Mt Saint Helena
Beautiful hike with amazing view of the wine country.Most of the trail is exposed so it’s best to start early.Limited parking spot.
Black Mountain
Easy hike from where we started, about 5.5 miles round trip. It was chilly but not overly cold. We pushed it, getting back before dark…
Tam-Tam Morning
Second-favorite of the Six-Pack, a little long but generally easy grade the whole time. Nice to have done comparably-easier hike after Diablo the day before…
Mt. Tam
Perfect day to hike Mt. Tam! Temperature was great, views were amazing with the weather even while hiking back in the dark
Resting place of the hummingbird
Beautiful day, peak 5 for me. One more to go! Stairs are the hardest part of this hike. 😉
Mount Umunhum
8 miles from my house but 45 minutes to get there. That should tell you a little about the trip up there. At first I…
Mission Morning
Nice challenging grade for the majority of it! My mom butt-dialed me right near the summit, which was nice to get to talk with her,…
Diablo Afternoon
Probably my favorite hike of the NorCal Six-Pack! Though Mount Tam had some beautiful views also; Diablo was a great challenge pretty much the whole…
Umunhum Morning
A nice stroll in the woods! Very easy grade; wish I could have started sooner to catch the sunrise at the top, but the gates…
Black Afternoon
Mostly an easy (but a little long) stroll, with moments at the beginning and near the end of steeper grades. Found the benchmark among the…
Serene Saint Helena
Little under 4 hours moving time. Cool fall weather and pretty fall colors/foliage made this a very beautiful hike. The views from the summit are…
Sunny day at Black Mountain
We parked our car to where Chamise Trail Starts. just peaked Lost Altos Hills Reservoir. it was really pretty and sunny day. It took a…
Made it to the top of Mount Umunhum!
Beautiful weather, great hike! The trail to the summit was closed, but there was another route that led to the summit via the road /…
Mt St Helena!
Amazing views for most of the hike. Big wide trails after the initial bit. Peak was so windy, I just grabbed a few photos and…
Mt. Diablo mayhem
Mt. Diablo was beautiful! Water was in the creek, ferns were just starting to grow, and the dew on the new grass was so pretty.…
Some hikes are too nice
Some hikes are too nice. The predawn drive to the Stinson entrance of the Matt Davis trail rewarded me with a moon lit view of…
Napa Valley in the fall!
I’M DONE! I did four peaks in Jan/Feb, and two this week. Is that procrastination, or wisely avoiding the summer heat and tourist traffic? ?…
Napa Valley in the autumn!
I’M DONE! I did four peaks way back in Jan/Feb, and two this week. Is that procrastination, or wisely avoiding the summer heat and tourist…
Made it to top of Mission Peak
Fantastic views at the top of Mission Peak, and able to see pretty much the entire bay from up there – but wow that climb…
Up and beyond the vineyards
Beautiful cold autumn fall day with my friend Karla. Karla offered to help me complete my 5th hike in the 6 Pack of Peaks Nor…
Perfect autumn day on Mt Diablo
Perfect weather! High in the low 60s, with some scenic fog and clouds, which made for some nice photography. Quiet on the mountain, but the…
Bagged 4 peaks in 1
Absolutely stunning autumn hike with perfect hiking weather. Surprised there were very few people on the trail on a Sunday. Beautiful diverse trail loop and…
#6… finally!
Took a little while to knock out the sixth one. My friend and I started in February on Mission Peak. Ended last weekend on Mt.…
Mount Saint Helena
This is a good hike, it starts off the 1st Mile in the forest but the rest of it is on a fire road and…
Mount Saint Helena
This is a good hike, it starts off the 1st Mile in the forest but the rest of it is on a fire road and…
Diablo – final hike of challenge
After a 4 month hiatus from hiking we jumped right back in with a pretty difficult hike. We did all three peaks Eagle, twin and…
Finally finished!
After failing to finish this challenge in 2019, I can finally say that I have! Mt Tam was a much more enjoyable experience than the…
Mt. Diablo – Devils Death Slide
Took Juniper up and around the hill. We spotted a trail to go up to the peake.. didn’t realize it was Devils Death Slide. Once…
Mount Tam
My absolute favorite of the Nor Cal peaks! Amazing vista views of San Franscisco, Oakland, and the Pacific Ocean.
Up, up and up you go!
Absolutely gorgeous hike with green fields and cows grazing. A beast of a climb up to a gorgeous view at the top. Well rewarded with…
Rock and Root Blue Crew – Mount Umunhum
This was a perfect day for a hike! Our day started off at 7 am and once again with the great directions provided by Social…
Rock and Root Blue Crew – Mission Peak
Our group decided to knock out two peaks in one day! Yes, we are crazy! Mission Peak was our second peak in the later afternoon. …
Rock and Root Hikers
We did 2 hikes in one day; the first being Mount Umunhum being 8.27 total miles. It was a very nice leisurely hike. We looked…
Rock and Root Hikers
We did 2 hikes this day; the first being Mount Umunhum and the second hike being Mission Peak. It was very hot on some parts…
eat sleep hike repeat
Lush green pasture, happy adorable cows grazing. Got a very clear sky. The peak was very windy – overall Easy to Medium hike – flattish…
Beautiful St.Helena
It was a beautiful sunny day. It took us almost an hour and a half to drive to Stevenson Memorial trail from Walnut Creek. We…
Rock and Root Crew
The instructions provided on Social Hiker was great. Our group followed it to the tea. Total miles for the day was 8+. It was a…
Worth trying to say the name!
Gorgeous trail and such a wonderful preserve. Well maintained and beautiful covered trails for most of the hike.
Silverado Squatters
Fun weekend up in wine country and a hike up beautiful Mt St Helena (10.3 miles, 2,129 ft elev gain, Max elev. 4,317 ft). We…
Rock and Root Crew
The instructions provided on Social Hiker was great. Our group followed it to the tea. Total miles for the day was 7+. It was a…
Mission Peak Hike from Stanford Ave Staging Area
Such a beautiful hike.We started 820am and done in 2 hrs 25 mins.A lot of the reviews I’ve read states that it’s very steep and…
Veteran’s Day on Umunhum
We got there at 8:00 on Veteran’s Day and there were zero cars. The day was beautiful and we had the trail mostly to ourselves.…
Clear, bright morning
Beautiful, clear morning. Felt great to get back out after the fire season has quieted down (hopefully!).
Diablo 6 Peaks to Finish 6 Pack
6 Peaks route of Mt Diablo – going clockwise Mt Olympia, North Peak, Diablo Summit, Eagle Peak, Twin Peaks, Mitchell Rock. Long flat treeless portion…
Sixth and Final Peak
We started at 8am and the trail was empty we were the only ones in the parking lot! By the time we got to…
Mission Accomplished
Got up early on veterans day to do this hike and beat the crowds. I hit the trail at 8am and was done by 11am. …
Mountain lions, stranded on the summit past sunset – still love the mountains
Thank God for Rangers!!! I started late- 3:30 PM with just a bottle of water- I forgot the sun was setting early. I reached the…
Napa Valley Views
The views overlooking Napa Valley and fall foliage did not disappoint. Perfect weather; cool temps were nice for the steady, exposed ascent.
