Getting Out: If you were to visit Mount Diablo State Park only
once, it makes sense to head for the summit. Legend has it that
only from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa can you see more
of the Earth’s surface than you can from the top of Mount Diablo.
Even if it isn’t true, you know it must be a helluva view (and it
is).
If you were to visit Mount Diablo State Park only once, it makes sense to head for the summit. Legend has it that only from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa can you see more of the Earth’s surface than you can from the top of Mount Diablo. Even if it isn’t true, you know it must be a helluva view (and it is).
I remembered a trip many years ago to the town of Clayton at the base of the mountain’s north side. In a part of the Bay Area that seems to sprawl without much charm or character, I was very impressed with the way Clayton was carefully nestled at the base of Mount Diablo. The mountain is imposing, but here the ridges descending from above diverge and gently cradle Clayton on the valley floor.
Mount Diablo extracts a lot of water from passing winter storms, and the north side, with its back to the desiccating sun, holds onto it late into spring. Streams and falls get top billing here. Looking for a little more springtime, I set out for a visit.
You have very likely never been to Clayton, because it is not on the way to anywhere else. From Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek, take Ygnacio Valley Road nearly eight miles and turn right on Clayton Road. Three miles later (by this time Clayton Road has become Marsh Creek Road), turn right onto Regency Drive, a quiet residential street, and go to the end. Just beyond the dead end is the trail. The park gate is just to the left. There are no maps at this trailhead, so be sure to download one or stop by the Mitchell Canyon park entrance a few miles back.
The park entrances in and around Clayton are nearly 3,000 feet below the summit. Look up and do the math. Your eyes and your calculations will reveal that any long hike from down here involves considerable “up.”
But before the climbing begins, there is a fantastic approach. Donner Canyon Road rolled and tumbled alongside Donner Creek gurgling its song for me along the way. On the right, the morning sun lit rolling grassy slopes dotted with oaks and countless blue Ithuriel’s spears. To my left, bigleaf maples, buckeyes, sycamores and three different oaks drank from the creek. A walk through the Tuileries Gardens in Paris could hardly be nicer.
After a mile, the lush lowlands gave way to steep slopes and a drier habitat, but a greater variety of flowers. Beneath the sticky monkey flower and yerba santa were beautiful yellow fairy lanterns, Chinese houses, clarkias and on and on. Two I don’t often see that were a nice surprise were red larkspur and wind poppy.
A couple miles out, Donner Canyon Road meets the Falls Trail. Truth in labeling would require renaming this trail the Babbling Cascade Trail. The mountain creases here are narrow and steep, and while they may be falls in February, in May they are just lovely splashing creeks.
But never mind. In sum, this walk is great. The views over Clayton toward the delta grew wider, the profusion and variety of flowers late in the season were fabulous, and the walk along the narrow trail etched into the slope was an adventure.
This is my second visit to Mount Diablo and both were nice surprises. In May, when spring has passed in the lowlands, it persists on Diablo’s cool mountain heights. If your outdoor adventure tastes are closer to Jay Gatsby’s that John Muir’s, consider taking the short walk along Donner Creek then stop for lunch in downtown Clayton. The Mudville Grill of La Veranda Cafe looked like a good bet.
