Nine women from the Bay Area Women's Mid-Week Hiking Group tackled the challenging 14-mile trek from Mitchell Creek to the summit of Mount Diablo, gaining 3,911 feet of elevation  on a gorgeous spring day – and the wildflowers were still in bloom. While the ascent was demanding, the sweeping vistas of rolling hills, distant peaks, and the Bay below made it all worthwhile.

Most of the trail was in excellent condition, but one section posed a momentary mystery: the path appeared to vanish at a large boulder. After scouting the area, we found three possible routes—(1) a narrow dirt path veering downhill just before the boulder; (2) a trail hugging the edge of the rock; and (3) a steep scree slope to the right. We opted for the scree and managed it without issue. However, the trail immediately afterward descended sharply and was incredibly slippery. We took it slow—sliding, bracing with poles, and inching down carefully.

Despite the challenges, the hike was immensely rewarding. The camaraderie, the flowers, and the summit views made it a great hike.