Panoramic valley views from various peaks: Twin Peaks, Eagle Peak and Mount Diablo.

Location: Mount Diablo State Park

» REI Map for Mount Diablo and Los Vaqueros: Sold for $7.00 in April 2011. The map is very detailed, water-proof and tear-proof. Must have for avid hikers.

» Official Park Brochure: Decent map but missing myriad other trails that are shown on the REI map.

To Twin Peaks: From Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, follow signs for Mitchell Rock Trail. Shortly before the intersection with Eagle Trail, there is a rocky outgrowth called Twin Peaks. The views are amazing.

To Eagle Peak: From Twin Peaks, continue following Mitchell Rock Trail → Eagle Peak Trail to reach Eagle Peak. Almost 360-degree views await you.

To Mount Diablo: From Eagle Peak, continue along Eagle Peak Trail to reach Murchio Gap (five-way intersection). Continue along Bald Ridge Trail to reach Prospectors Gap (five-way intersection). Turn right on North Peak Trail to reach Devil's Elbow. Look for signs for Peak Trail. Follow Peak Trail to reach Mount Diablo.

To Juniper Campground: From Mount Diablo, follow a paved road, looking for signs of Juniper Trail. From the official map, it is not clear whether this walk along the paved road may be avoided by following a hiking trail instead. Please see latest trail map for details. Juniper Trail leads to Juniper Campground.

To Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center: From Juniper Campground, follow Deer Flat Road → Mitchell Canyon Road to return to Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center.

Notes: Elevation gain is uneven. Some sections are steep. Somewhere between 30% and 40% of the route is shaded by trees. At Mount Diablo, there is a visitor center which serves snacks like ice creams.

Location: (Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center) 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton, CA 94517 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: (borrowed from Meetup (Early Morning Hikes))

From Milpitas, take I-880 North to the Mission Blvd exit and merge onto Mission Blvd toward Sacramento/I-680. Drive 1.5 miles on Mission Blvd to the I-680 North entrance (towards Sacramento). Drive 35.4 miles on I-680 and take the exit for Treat Blvd toward Geary Rd. Keep right at two successive forks to continue toward Treat Blvd (follow signs for Silicon Valley College). Merge onto Treat Blvd. Drive 1 mile and then turn right onto Bancroft Rd. Drive 0.7 miles and then turn left onto Ygnacio Valley Rd. Drive 5.3 miles and then turn right on Clayton Rd. Drive south on this road for 1 mile and then turn right onto Mitchell Canyon Rd. Continue about 1.5 miles to a parking lot on your left. Please note that if you miss the parking lot the road will loop around and send you back to Mitchell Canyon Road the way you just came.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: $6 per vehicle (last visited: April 2014)

Capacity: Over 30 cars may be parked here.

Latitude: 37.920334     Longitude: -121.941923