An Ascent of 4 Peaks on the Mount Diablo Massif: 13 March 2005

A hike of 14.04 miles in distance; approximately 4,000 feet of climbing

Latitude: North 37° 55.289’

Longitude: West 121° 55.348’

Where is Mount Diablo LOCATED?

Photos by Neil Mishalov

Valerie and I started this hike at 9:30 a.m. In retrospect, we started too late to achieve our goal of ascending all five summits of the Mount Diablo massif. After bagging Twin Peaks and Eagle Peak we realized that it would not be possible to snag all five peaks before darkness. Granted, we may have been able to get all five, if I didn't spend so much time taking photographs. We were both delighted with the ramble and the outcome; next time we'll also bag West Peak (3,849 ft.). The mountain was lush with flowers and sweet fragrances. The creeks were full of water and everything was green. It was an excellent hike and we arrived back at the car at 6:45 p.m.

All photographs were taken with a Canon S50 camera

All Images and Text Copyright © by Neil Mishalov

COPYRIGHT NOTICE and DISCLAIMER

Topographic Map of the Area with a GPS Tracked Route Superimposed

Hike data gathered with a Garmin 60C GPS RECEIVER

Topographic mapping program for Macintosh OSX by NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Two of the four peaks we will climb on this ramble. North Peak (3,557) in the center background, and Mount Olympia (2,946), the knob to the left of North Peak. Prospectors Gap (3,040) is the saddle on the right, between North Peak and West Peak (3,849), which is the highest summit on the Mount Diablo massif	We will also climb these two peaks. Eagle Peak (2,368) in the center of this image, and Twin Peaks on the right side of this image (1,733)	Valerie is ready to hike!
On the trail	The mountain had a vast profusion of wildflowers, thanks to the winter rains
Valerie is enjoying the scenery
		North Peak at 3,557 feet, the high point of this hike
We bag our first summit: Twin Peaks at 1,733 feet. Eagle Peak, our next goal, is behind us at 2,368 feet		Oh, this is so much fun!
Meridian Ridge Trail	On the trail to Eagle Peak
Valerie waiting by the side of the trail as I catch up to her	We bag our second summit: Eagle Peak at 2,368 feet	Juniper tree with numerous juniper berries
On the trail to the North Peak (3,557 feet)	A wild Lily
The North Peak is coming into range
On the Bald Ridge Trail		This image of the North Peak was taken near Prospectors Gap (3,040 feet)
Looking southeast from Prospectors Gap at 3,040 feet
Taking a break in a field of flowers		North Peak is now within striking distance
A view of the town of Clayton, the city of Concord, and the Concord Naval Weapons Station, which has been deactivated	The summit beckons	Looking east from the North Peak
Radio transmission antennas on the summit of North Peak	We bag our third summit: Valerie on the summit of North Peak at 3,557 feet	Neil on the summit of North Peak
Heading for Mount Olympia, our fourth and final peak	Peak-a-boo, I see you!
Mount Olympia (2,946 feet)		Heading up to the top of Mount Olympia
We bag Mount Olympia, 2,946 feet, our fourth and final summit of this hike.	Looking east from the summit of Mount Olympia	We met Steve Gallo on the final ascent of Mount Olympia. Behind Steve is North Peak. The three of us descended together to Regency Drive (580 feet), the start of this glorious ramble on the Mount Diablo massif