Pleasure Rating 1 2 3 4 5
Difficulty Rating 1 2 3 4 5
Mileage apx 2 miles
Why Rock City?
Mount Diablo is the lonely mountain of the East Bay- a solo sky high attraction. There is something undoubtedly impressive about this 4000 ft monolith that springs up from the valley floor, with its undulating ripples of surrounding hillsides. Its immensity reminds me of how small we really are, but summiting its peak is also a reminder of mankind's uncanny ability to conquer almost anything.
Mount Diablo State Park is more than just a hiking destination, it is a voyage into our ancient geological history. According to savemountdiablo.org its story goes a little something like this:
165 million B.C. Mt Diablo began as volcanic rock beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean and was scraped into a mass between the Pacific tectonic plate and the overlying sedimentary layers of the North American plate. As ice ages affected sea levels, sedimentation continued in shallow coastal seas. About four million years ago, the older, harder volcanic material from the sea floor forced its way up from between the two plates heaving the weaker sedimentary layers up an angle. Over time, younger rock above eroded and by 2 million B.C. the older rock we recognize as Diablo’s peaks was exposed as low-lying hills.
To most visitors today, it seems like a typical northern California mountain, but pay a visit to Rock City and you will find an unbelievable earthly wonder that is sure to impress.
Lets get hiking!
The top of Mount Diablo is a lovely place to picnic and there are ample tables and porto-potties in most of the turnoffs. This is an easy and simple hike, so you won't need to pack much. Other than a bit of water and a few snacks, the only thing you will definitely not want to leave home without is your camera. The vistas and scenery are awesome!
You can enter Mount Diablo State Park from the north or south. Both the North Gate and the South Gate lead to the summit, so you really can't get lost. To access Rock City, which is on the southern side of the mountain, it is advisable to enter from the South Gate. Follow the Diablo Rd turnoff from I-680 in Danville and drive for about 15 minutes down the winding road all the way to the gate. Rock City is another 5 miles up the mountain from the base, so be prepared if you have any little ones who are prone to carsickness- it is a dizzing assent.
Once you reach the ranger station, there is a small fee to enter the state park. Past the station another 2 miles you will reach the well marked parking area and picnic area for Rock City. At this time, there is less of a "trail" to follow as much as a "network" of narrow dirt paths. These paths wind up and down, intersecting and crisscrossing the rock formations, allowing for carefree exploration and trekking. My kids loved wandering ahead and pretending to be on an expedition in search of archeological wonders. The soft rock and porous ground make some areas slippery and hazardous, so keep little ones close. There are innumerable rocks and boulders to scale, with eroded edges and footholds that make it accessible for kids and adults alike. The fragility of this place is so evident as you can clearly see where erosion has taken its toll. Sadly many people have defaced the rocks with carvings or made rock climbing routes to practice their skills. It is heaven for the skilled rock climber and a huge gathering spot for many local climbing groups, so don't be surprised or intimidated if you see a few of them on your hikeabout. You can clearly see how this precious land is vulnerable to its visitors. I would plea with every visitor to respect the natural beauty of this place and not leave a permanent mark on it.
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| The cables to ascend Sentinel Rock |
If you meander down a bit you can see the tip of Sentinel Rock peaking out from the trees. This prominent feature will provide panoramic views from its summit. Scramble down about 200 feet to the base of Sentinel where you will find a cable ladder and iron railings for safety. This is a treacherous area with children, so please use caution as you use these cables to make the steep climb. On all sides there are steep drop offs, so keep children close. Once you have reached the top, enjoy the incredible views of the San Ramon Valley below. There is something magical that happens when you work together as a team to conquer a mountain, and although this may not be the summit of Mount Diablo, it is a huge rock with a rewarding view that everyone will enjoy and be proud of climbing.
After meandering back through the network of paths, find your way back to the parking lot
and drive an extra 10 minutes up the mountain to the scenic overlook at the intersection of North Gate and South Gate Roads. Here you can take a look at just about the entire Bay Area. From this elevation you can see clear across the western horizon to the Peninsula, San Francisco, northward to Marin and Mount Tamalpais, as well as the east bay corridor of Benicia and Valejo, Martinez and the Delta. Enjoy a snack and a rest while you take in the beauty of this vantage point.
To make your visit to Mount Diablo State Park complete, continue the drive to the summit, about another 10 minutes up the mountain on Summit Rd. Here there is a lovely historic lookout building that affords you the opportunity to see 360 degree views. Since Mount Diablo is the tallest point in the San Francisco Bay Area between the Pacific and the Sierras, you feel as though you can literally see everything in the whole of this region. At 3,849 feet, you can feel the elevation in your ears, breathe, and temperature- it gets chilly up there with the wind whipping and the sun setting. If you can time it just right, the sunset is celestial. As the orange yolk of sun slips gracefully into the Pacific, you once again feel small on this enormous mountain as day turns to night. Carefully and quickly drive down the mountain, as the park closes right around this time.
There is so much to see and do in Mount Diablo State Park, but for my family, Rock City, Sentintel Rock, and the drive to the summit is a perfect adventure!
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