Join the Challenge

The 5th Annual NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge™ is a self-paced hiking and trail running challenge up six iconic Bay Area mountains.

You choose whether you want to complete them in six days, six weeks, or take the entire year. Set the schedule that works best for you.

You can climb them in order as you build your strength and endurance, or mix it up. The choice is yours. Your registration will help support Big City Mountaineers, so you'll be doing good for others with each peak you climb

Overview Map of the NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

The Peaks of the NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

MOUNT UMUNHUM – Elevation 3,486′ (1,063 m)

The peak was long off limits, but after a major cleanup operation removed almost all of an abandoned air force station, it was opened to the public in 2017. The hike uses a purpose-built singletrack trail that switchbacks up to the summit.

Suggested Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Mount Umunhum
Distance: 7.4 miles; Vertical +/- 1,150 ft.

MOUNT SAINT HELENA – Elevation 4,341′ (1,323 m)

This 4,341′ peak in the Mayacamas mountains is the tallest in the NorCal Six-Pack, and one of the few mountains in the Bay Area to actually receive snowfall in the winter.

Suggested Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Mount Saint Helena
Distance: 10 miles; Vertical +/- 2,100 ft.

MOUNT DIABLO – Elevation 3,849′ (1,173 m)

This summit provides some of the best views in the Bay Area. On a clear day, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and even the Farallon Islands beyond. To the east, the Sierra Nevada Range. There is a line-of-sight with the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite.

Suggested Six-Pack route: Hiking Mount Diablo via Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center
Distance: 13.2 miles; Vertical +/- 3,274 ft.

MOUNT TAMALPAIS – Elevation 2,572′ (784 m)

This loop trail from Stinson Beach to the summit of Mt Tamalpais is a good choice for a summer hike since it can start in a cool morning fog along the coast. After hiking 8 miles and over 3000 vertical feet, you'll find yourself on the summit of a mountain with a fire lookout tower.

Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Mount Tamalpais
Distance: 16 miles; Vertical +/- 3,200 feet

MOUNT SIZER – Elevation 3,215′ (980 m)

This hike steeply climbs and descends several ridges. Mount Sizer is the high point in the park along Blue Ridge. This loop is a clockwise loop from park headquarters that ascends “The Shortcut”– often cited as the steepest trail in the Bay Area. Includes an optional side trip to Jackass Peak.

Six-Pack Route Details: Mount Sizer and Jackass Peak
Distance: 16 miles; Vertical +/- 4,400 ft.

ROSE PEAK – Elevation 3,817′ (1,163 m)

This hike through the Ohlone Wilderness travels rugged terrain and rolling green hills, with an optional detour to seasonal Murietta Falls.

Six-Pack Route Details: Hiking Rose Peak
Distance: 20.2 miles; Vertical +/- 4,500 ft.

Latest NorCal Challenge Hike Logs

Rose Peak
Teja

Rose Peak

Parked in the Sunol parking lot. Saw a group of deer and turkeys hanging out in the rain. Started at 8. Went up Canyon View

Read More »
Mount Tamalpais
Bijoy Bora

A rainy hike to Mt Tamalpais

Alright, due to time constraints and the distance my plan was to complete this last of my challenge hike, sometime during the month of December.

Read More »
Mount Umunhum
Joanna

Catching up

Gorgeous winter day between rainstorms. The trail is great, single track through trees nearly all the way up.

Read More »
Mount Tamalpais
Susan Zieff

Mt. Tam

Always beautiful on Tam no matter the weather. Glorious conditions and it was December!

Read More »
Mount Saint Helena
Rupa Machan

Family Hike

This hike is a memorable 2022 hike. I was planning to fit in this hike since October 2022 as I signed up for this NCAL 

Read More »
Mount Sizer
Teja

Mount Sizer

Started around 8 AM from the visitor center up Dunne Road and Manzanita Point Road and up Monument Trail. Followed Hobbs Trail to Little Coyote

Read More »

PREVIOUS YEARS:

2020 Hike Logs  |  Finishers
2019 Hike Logs  |  Finishers
2018 Hike Logs  |  Finishers

AZ Winter 20% off early-bird rate ends in

:
:
: