In 2019 we did Rose Peak from Lake Del Valle and that was a bit tougher, with 2 large descents enroute to the top adding to the total elevation.  But, that way had views more immediately.  This time, starting from the Sunol Visitor Center (closed weekdays) where overnight parking is located, furthest parking from the trailhead, we took the Camp Ohlone Road route along the creek to the Backpack Road at the start, to avoid a downhill section on MrCorkle, then followed the main route up, making a stop at our Doe Canyon Campsite to drop pack/weight before continuing to Rose Peak.  Great views from the top – really all the way from about 3000′ up, once above neighboring ridges. Great sunset that evening!

Returned to Rose Peak early the next morning to watch sunrise, but alas, a lone cloud in the sky was exactly where the sun was rising! Still magical, if not as dramatic. Returned to camp to have breakfast and pack up as the winds picked up – Red Flag Warning was starting.

Saw a couple wild pigs that morning, one pretty close before he spooked and ran off.  A couple times had a buck coming right towards us who turned.  A small gopher snake stayed quite still to let us take pictures, unlike the Striped Racer who was gone before we could get a camera out. A couple tarantulas were crossing the trail – looking for love? Not many wildflowers this time of year, but both the abundant Pit-Gland Tarweed and Vinegar Weed were fragrant, though few still showing flowers.

Doe Canyon Horse Camp is pretty austere.  Reasonably flat at the camp with non-potable water from a spring and usual pit toilet 200 yds up the trail with bonus of garbage can.  But, nothing to sit on and the short 0.3 mile spur into camp is very steep down to the toilet area where it splits to the two campsites.  #1 is for horses and didn't look to have any flat or bare ground for a tent, but had 4 tie-up posts. #2 is where we were and included the horse trough.  Passage to the horse area was overgrown with large poison oak branches full of seeds leaning into the trail. Maggies Half-Acre camp was a bit better, from memory, having some stumps to sit upon.