Today was my 51st birthday so what did I do? Lure strangers from Facebook with the promise of ice cream if they go hiking with me! And they came unbeknownst it was my birthday! I created a Diablo 6 Peaks custom map in All Trails and we hiked 15.1 miles, gained 4587 in elevation, in about 6 hours. I have included the custom map below.
We met at Mitchell Canyon at 730am and hit the trail promptly at 745am. The day was cool but warmed up quick. We went up the Eagle Peak trail to Mitchell Rock and by then I was already in my t shirt. The group split up just a little bit and I with a few brave souls went up an unmaintained path to the top of an unnamed peak overlooking Mitchell Canyon.
The rest of the group caught up to us and up we went to Twin Peaks. This was a good droop of hikers going at different paces, but all were having a good time.
We hit Eagle Peak just after 9am and took a break and pictures.
Then off to the Summit of Diablo. The sun was out shining and a few of us were lucky to see a rabbit. We continued on from Eagle Peak and connected with the Bald Ridge trail. Bald Ridge dumped us on Prospectors Gap and we took a right on North Peak Trail up to the Summit Trail up to the top of Diablo.
The air was hazy but you could see San Francisco, the Sierras, Mt. Tam, Mt. St. Helena, and I think we could see Lassen. We took lunch and yes ice cream was consumed!
Then we were off to the Devil’s Pulpit where we “free soloed” to the top. It was a good day to be there.
Back down the pulpit, on the trail, and we were off to North Peak. We took the access road to the top and more pictures.
Then over to Olympia we went for some more well-deserved photos and self-congratulations for making it this far. Then it was all downhill from there. As we went down the group thinned out and we ended up with four for the final picture.
I hiked this exact trail twice last year in the spring and the biggest thing that I observed is that it was so dry and the grass brown. Last year at this time it was lush and green with flowers exploding everywhere.
It was a great day to be out on Diablo and thanks to all who came out! Please follow me on my Facebook page Jason’s Hiking Adventures, Instagram @jasonshikingadventures, and All Trails. I also have many other hikes planned so check out the events tab on Bay Area Hikers and come join the fun!
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