Mt Diablo

Description: Clockwise loop from Mitchell Canyon to Mt Diablo’s summit and back

Distance = 13.4mi (Google Earth),14.8mi (Caltopo)

Total elevation ascent = 4230’ (Google Earth), 4000' (Caltopo)

Lowest to highest elevation = 3255’

My Run/Hike time = 4.5hr

From Mitchell Canyon, I started on the Mitchell Rock Trail. Thankfully, overhead clouds kept the temperature lower than typical for early July. By the time I reached Mitchell Rock, after 1.8mi and ~900’ elevation, I was warmed up and eager to reach the summit, still another 5 miles away.

I continued onto the Eagle Peak Trail, the first of 2 ridge trails. The Eagle Peak trail tops off at Eagle Peak, about 900’ higher than Mitchell Rock. I stopped here for a few photos before moving on, passing through a 5-way intersection to the Bald Ridge Trail, the 2nd of the ridge trails.

The trail follows the top of the ridge on the left, loops up to the summit and returns down the switchbacks seen on the right

The trail exits the ridge down its left slope and meets up with the North Peak Trail which winds around and heads up Mt Diablo’s southern slope. Temperatures rose to the 90s as the clouds dissipated.

I filled up my water at the Summit Visitor Center, bought an ice cream sandwich snack and enjoyed the views before making my return trip down the Juniper Trail, Deer Flat Road, Meridian Ridge, and finally the Mitchell Canyon Fire Road back to the car.