HIKE and EVENT
SCHEDULE
Selected Local Diablo Region
Hikes and Events:
Wednesday, July 14 at 7 pm
Trail through Time and the Geology of Mount Diablo
Winslow Center 2nd floor, 2590 Pleasant Hill Road, Pleasant Hill (Corner
of Taylor Blvd. and Pleasant Hill Road)
In 1861, the California Geologic Survey led by Josiah Whitney camped at the foot of Mt.
Diablo. The scientists were captivated by the mountain, certain that
the rocks of Mount Diablo were the key to understanding the geology of California’s
coast range. So began an infatuation with Mt. Diablo that has been passed down though
generations of earth scientists to the present day. Mount Diablo is truly a
geologic story book, its rocks recording 180 million years of earth history, past
climates, and ancient flora and fauna from the age of dinosaurs to the present. With the
completion of the Trail Through Time, a joint project of the Mount Diablo Interpretive
Association, the UC Museum of Paleontology, and the Department of Parks and Recreation,
everyone now has an opportunity to learn about the Diablo’s fascinating geology first
hand.
Join us at the next meeting of the Mount Diablo Group of the Sierra
Club as Ken Lavin and Roi Peers present a talk and slide presentation featuring the Trail
through Time and an introduction to the geology of Mount Diablo. Everyone is welcome to
attend and no reservations are necessary. For more information about
this program, contact Ken Lavin at (925) 852-8778 or ken_lavin@hotmail.com
Sunday, July 18 -
7:00pm-9:00pm
Mitchell Canyon
Join a docent for an evening stroll to see what critters are afoot after the crowds have
gone. Bring a flashlight, insect repellant, and a jacket. Meet at the
Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the end of Mitchell Canyon Rd, in Clayton. Reservations
Required: call Sue at 925-673-3356.
Jul 24 · Sat · 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Diablo Ranch/Burma Road Loop 2B Hike.
Lovely ascent through tree-shaded meadows where something is blooming almost
year-round. Spectacular views of the park. Six miles, 1260 foot elevation gain.
Co-Sponsored by Sierra Club/Mount Diablo Group. At the apex, a delightful surprise
awaits those who haven't hiked this trail. Cancellation: Any rain cancels. Cost: Pay $10
entrance fee at entrance. Bring: Hiking poles, fluids, snack/lunch, sunscreen, layers.
Meet: Meet on North Gate Road in gravel parking pullout across from Diablo Ranch. Please
be on time to beat the heat. Directions: Route 680 to the Ygnacio Valley Rd Exit. Ygnacio
Valley Rd NE through Walnut Creek to Oak Grove Rd. Right on Oak Grove. Stay to the left at
the rotary, and get in the left lane after going through the rotary. Left on North Gate Rd
to Park Entrance then 4.7 miles to the gravel parking turnout across from and slightly
past the entrance to Diablo Ranch (1.7 miles past the 1000 Foot Elevation sign). Leader:
Helene Crowley, (415) 974-2209, or crowh_8558@yahoo.com.
Aug 7 · Sat · 8:30 am -12:30pm Note
date change in red
Black Point Trail/Olofson Ridge Loop 2B Hike.
Black Point Trail is an outstanding journey through a hidden, little known corner of
the park, spanning several life zones, culminating at the chaparral-covered summit of
Black Point. From here see a truly unique perspective of central Contra Costa. Watch
for trailside glory holes during descent from Black Point. About 6 mi., with a 1010 foot
elevation gain. Co-sponsored by Sierra Club/Mount Diablo Group. Please be on time to
beat the heat. Cancellation: Any rain cancels.Cost: $6 parking (exact change required).
Bring: Hiking poles, fluids, snack/lunch, layers, sunscreen. Meet: Mitchell Canyon Staging
Area. Directions: From 680/24 east, take Ygnacio Valley Rd exit. Turn right going NE 6.9
miles to Pine Hollow Rd. Make a right at the gas station and go 1.7 miles to Mitchell
Canyon Rd. Make right turn & go 1.3 miles. Dead ends in parking lot. Leader: Helene
Crowley, (415) 974-2209, or crowh_8558@yahoo.com.
Sunday–
August 15 – 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Mitchell Canyon – NatureWalk
Join a docent for an evening stroll to see what critters are
afoot after the crowds have gone. Bring:a flashlight, insect repellant, and a
jacket. Meet:at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the end of Mitchell CanyonRd,
in Clayton. Reservationsrequired: call Leslie 925)685-2877.
Sunday–
August 29 – 11:00am – 1:00pm - Mitchell Canyon
TarantulaTrek
Join
Helene Crowley for a talk and 2-mile round-trip nature walk to find out the truth about
the world's largest spiders. Bring:sunscreen, snack, liquids and your expert
eyesight. Meet at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the end of Mitchell Canyon
Rd. in Clayton.
Sunday–
August 29 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm - Mitchell Canyon
TarantulaTrek
Join Phil
Reed for a talk and 2-mile round-trip nature walk to find out the truth about the world's
largest spiders. Bring:sunscreen, snack, liquids and your expert eyesight.
Meet at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the end of Mitchell Canyon Rd. in Clayton.
Sunday–
Sept. 5 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm - Mitchell Canyon
TarantulaTrek
Join Phil
Reed for a talk and 2-mile round-trip nature walk to find out the truth about the world's
largest spiders. Bring:sunscreen, snack, liquids and your expert eyesight.
Meet at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the end of Mitchell Canyon Rd. in Clayton.
Saturday,
September 11 - 9 a.m. to noon
Mitchell Canyon Meander
Join Ken Lavin on a nature walk along shady Mitchell Creek to see what blooms, flies,
swims, burrows, and crawls on Mount Diablo in late summer. We may even meet the
notorious "mining tarantula" of Mitchell Canyon! This is an easy
to moderate hike of 4 miles with a couple hundred feet in elevation
gain. $6/vehicle park entrance fee. We will meet at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor
Center
Sunday–
Sept. 12 – 11:00am – 1:00pm - Mitchell Canyon
TarantulaTrek
Join
Helene Crowley for a talk and 2-mile round-trip nature walk to find out the truth about
the world's largest spiders. Bringsunscreen, snack, liquids and your expert
eyesight. Meet at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the end of Mitchell Canyon
Rd. in Clayton.
Sunday–
Sept. 12 -4:00pm– 6:00pm - Sierra Club/MDIA
1A Hike - Mitchell Canyon,Mount Diablo State Park, Clayton.
Leisurely loop hike to enjoy autumn colors in a scenic canyon. Tarantula spider
sightings are possible (but not guaranteed!) Directions:Take Hwy 24 to
Walnut Creek, Ygnacio Valley Rd. exit; continue onYgnacio north toward Concord, R on
Clayton Rd., then R on Mitchell Canyon Rd. to end. Meet at 4:00 pm in Interpretive
Center parking area ($6 parking fee). Back by 6 p.m. Rain may cancel. After hike,
optional stop nearby for refreshments and sociability. For info call Janess Hanson
925(458-0860) or Lucy Henderson (925)254-2898.
Sunday–
Sept. 19 - 8:45am – 11:00am
Tarantula Trek.
A
19th century scientific expedition described Mt. Diablo's tarantulasas "attaining the
size of a half-grown mouse, possessing fangs the size of a rattlesnakes', and delivering a
bite generallyconsidered to be fatal." Fact or fiction? Join us for a talk and 2-mile
round-trip nature walk to find out the truth about the world's largest spiders. Cost:$6
park entrance fee. Meet:Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, Mount Diablo State Park.
Leader:Ken Lavin, (925) 852-8778, or ken_lavin@hotmail.com
Sunday–
Sept. 19 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Tarantula Trek.
Join Phil
Reed for a talk and 2-mile round-trip nature walk to find out the truth about the world's largest
spiders. Bring sunscreen, snack, liquids and your expert eyesight. Meet at
the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the end of Mitchell Canyon Rd. in Clayton
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Save Mount Diablo is currently offering a Family
Hike the first Sunday of each month as well as listings for regional parks in our
area.. Check their website for more information on this and other events at www.savemountdiablo.org
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Other Activities:
Junior Ranger Program - Outdoor education for kids seven to twelve years
of age.
Click here to view and print the program
brochure (PDF file).
Concord Weather
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relating to our natural environment.
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