Hike Name
Juniper -Summit Loop Mt Diablo
Month and Year
April, 2010
Best Time to Go
Spring or Fall, Spring best for wildflowers
Scenic Expectations
Views all the way to coast, Sierra, wildflowers
Hiking Group/s Recommended
Rambler Scrambler
Views
On clear day, bay, distant Sierra , flowers
Name of Park
Mt Diablo State Park
Recommended Lunch Spot
Top of the mountain
Length of Hike
5-6 miles
Elevation Gain
1200-1500' cumulative gain
Estimated Return to Rossmoor
3:30 PM
Driving Distance and Estimated Driving Time
40 miles rt., l hour drive time
Hiking Surface
Trail
Available Bathrooms
Toilets Available
Driving Directions
680 S to El Cerro. Left at end of exit ramp onto El Cerro. Where Diablo Rd intersects El Cerro, continue straight on Diablo. Left on Mt Diablo Scenic Rd. This becomes South Gate Rd. After paying entrance fee, continue on South Gate Rd. Where South Gate intersects with North Gate Rd, go right continuing on South Gate. Pass Blue Oak. Arrive at Diablo View Overlook (this is also the entrance to Juniper Campground) on your left at sharp hair-pin turn. Park in lot on left of road next to pit toilets
Optional Commernts
To begin, go past the picnic tables to the right of the toilets. This is the Juniper Trail which climbs almost 1000' in l mile to the parking lots at the top of the mtn. Near the top you reach the road. Go right and immediate left on spur trail to the parking lot where there are picnic tables and bathrooms. To the right of the bathrooms find the Mary Bowerman Trail. This is a wonderful self-guided trail that is .7 mi and tours the entire mountain. There are printed guides at the beginning which tell you about the views, geology, and flora of the mountain. After this short tour, have lunch and start down the Summit Trail which is opposite the bathrooms. The Summit trail crosses the road at two places. At the first jct. cross the road and go left onto the continuation. At another point you reach a water tower and old horse camp with a pit toilet. Continue to the right keeping the water tower on your right. At the next intersection with the road, again go right crossing the road and going left again on a wide road. After 150 ft, turn right onto the Juniper Trail. You will return to the Juniper Campground on this trail in about l mile. It is all uphill, mostly moderate. When you reach the Campground, go right on the paved road to return to where you parked the cars. Note: Refill your water bottles at the top of the mountain. On a hot day you will be glad that you did because of the long, steady uphill at the end.
Map Attached or Sent
Yes
Email
pointlobos@comcast.net
Name
Harriet Schwartz
Juniper -Summit Loop Mt Diablo
Month and Year
April, 2010
Best Time to Go
Spring or Fall, Spring best for wildflowers
Scenic Expectations
Views all the way to coast, Sierra, wildflowers
Hiking Group/s Recommended
Rambler Scrambler
Views
On clear day, bay, distant Sierra , flowers
Name of Park
Mt Diablo State Park
Recommended Lunch Spot
Top of the mountain
Length of Hike
5-6 miles
Elevation Gain
1200-1500' cumulative gain
Estimated Return to Rossmoor
3:30 PM
Driving Distance and Estimated Driving Time
40 miles rt., l hour drive time
Hiking Surface
Trail
Available Bathrooms
Toilets Available
Driving Directions
680 S to El Cerro. Left at end of exit ramp onto El Cerro. Where Diablo Rd intersects El Cerro, continue straight on Diablo. Left on Mt Diablo Scenic Rd. This becomes South Gate Rd. After paying entrance fee, continue on South Gate Rd. Where South Gate intersects with North Gate Rd, go right continuing on South Gate. Pass Blue Oak. Arrive at Diablo View Overlook (this is also the entrance to Juniper Campground) on your left at sharp hair-pin turn. Park in lot on left of road next to pit toilets
Optional Commernts
To begin, go past the picnic tables to the right of the toilets. This is the Juniper Trail which climbs almost 1000' in l mile to the parking lots at the top of the mtn. Near the top you reach the road. Go right and immediate left on spur trail to the parking lot where there are picnic tables and bathrooms. To the right of the bathrooms find the Mary Bowerman Trail. This is a wonderful self-guided trail that is .7 mi and tours the entire mountain. There are printed guides at the beginning which tell you about the views, geology, and flora of the mountain. After this short tour, have lunch and start down the Summit Trail which is opposite the bathrooms. The Summit trail crosses the road at two places. At the first jct. cross the road and go left onto the continuation. At another point you reach a water tower and old horse camp with a pit toilet. Continue to the right keeping the water tower on your right. At the next intersection with the road, again go right crossing the road and going left again on a wide road. After 150 ft, turn right onto the Juniper Trail. You will return to the Juniper Campground on this trail in about l mile. It is all uphill, mostly moderate. When you reach the Campground, go right on the paved road to return to where you parked the cars. Note: Refill your water bottles at the top of the mountain. On a hot day you will be glad that you did because of the long, steady uphill at the end.
Map Attached or Sent
Yes
pointlobos@comcast.net
Name
Harriet Schwartz
