The name of this mountain reminds me of the Hawaii state fish. 🙂
Anyway, this is a great hike even in hot weather. There is plenty of shade on the trail and the inclines are no where near as challenging as Mt. Sizer or Rose Peak.
Unfortunately, we got to the parking lot at Hicks and Mt. Umunhum road at sunrise and the gate was closed; never mind the sign that says open from Sunrise to 1/2hr after sunset. That said, there are a few spaces to park on the side of the road.
If you start at the Bald Mountain Trailhead, the hike is only 7mi. round trip. There are several switchbacks, but the incline is quite moderate. It was 14.4 mi. from the Woods Trail Trailhead. This is a great way to get in some extra miles and a little more elevation gain.
When you get to the summit, take a few minutes to enjoy the rest area. There are some placards that share interesting facts and pictures about the history of the mountain and surrounding areas. Also, the views from the top are incredible; on a clear day you can easily see Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Diablo, and Mt. Hamilton.
Responses
You’re right about this being MUCH easier than either Mt Sizer or Rose Peak. And the trail is really nicely built. This makes a good warm-up for the harder peaks.