Our Mission The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the health, inspi- t the eastern fringe of the San Francisco ration and education of the people of California Bay Region, Mount Diablo, elevation by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary A3,849 feet, stands alone on the edge of biological diversity, protecting its most valued California’s great Central Valley. At this point, natural and cultural resources, and creating op- the Coast Range consists only of low hills, none portunities for high-quality outdoor recreation high enough to block the view from the upper . slopes of the mountain. As a result, the view is spectacular. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER The View From the Top — Many visitors to Governor Mount Diablo head straight for the summit to MIKE CHRISMAN enjoy the famous view. Summer days are Secretary for Resources sometimes hazy, and the best viewing is often RUTH COLEMAN on the day after a winter storm. Then, you can Director, California State Parks look to the west, beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Farallon Islands; southeast to the James Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton at 4,213 feet elevation; south to Mount Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 3,791 feet eleva- tion; north to Mount Saint Helena in the Coast Range at 4,344 feet, and still farther north to California State Parks does not discriminate against Mount Lassen in the Cascades at 10,466 feet. individuals with disabilities. Prior to arrival, visitors North and east of Mount Diablo, the San Joaquin with disabilities who need assistance should contact and Sacramento Rivers meet to form the twisting the park at the phone number below. To receive this waterways of the Delta. To the east beyond publication in an alternate format, write to the California’s great Central Valley, the crest of the Communications Office at the following address. Sierra Nevada seems to float in space. With binoculars, you may even be able to pick out CALIFORNIA For information call: Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. STATE PARKS 800-777-0369 HISTORY P. O. Box 942896 916-653-6995, outside the U.S. Mount Diablo is a sacred mountain to California Sacramento, CA 888-877-5378, TTY Indian people. Just about every California Indian 94296-0001 888-877-5379, without TTY community who viewed Mount Diablo would, at www.parks.ca.gov one time or another, make a pilgrimage to the summit area for ceremonies. The reason Mount MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK Diablo is so sacred to the California Indian 96 Mitchell Canyon Road people is that it was the creation point for the Clayton, CA 94517 Miwok people or genesis for some California (925) 837-2525 Indian people. www.parks.ca.gov

Cover photo by Stephen Joseph Photography, www.stephenjosephphoto.com © 2000 California State Parks (rev. 9/04) In 1851, the mountaintop was selected as the starting point for a survey of the public domain. Ignoring the excitement of the Gold Rush, Leander Ransom and his men erected a flagpole at the summit of Mount Diablo and began to extend the base and meridian lines that we use to this day in our official land surveys. As a matter of fact, Mount Diablo base and meridian lines are referred to in legal descriptions of real estate throughout two-thirds of California and parts of Nevada and Oregon. Toll roads up the mountain were opened in 1874, and for many years there were two stages every day connecting Walnut Creek and Danville with Mountain House, a 16-room hotel about three miles from the summit. The Stage Road, near Pine Canyon, was one of the original stage- coach line routes. The hotel offered all conve- niences and was known for its excellent food. Wedding ceremonies were a frequent occur- rence at the hotel, and celebrities from all over Europe and America were among the visitors. In those days, it was widely held that you hadn’t seen the West if you hadn’t watched a sunset, sunrise, or full moon from the upper slopes of the mountain. Business at the hotel declined after the summit observation platform burned in 1891, and shortly thereafter the hotel burned down as ABOVE: In 1935 the transbay ferries were still running, the Bay Bridge was nearing completion, and San Francisco itself was well. The toll roads were reopened in 1915, so rapidly assuming its modern appearance. Then, as now, Mount Diablo rose above it all, serene and aloof, majestically that the view from the summit was once again dominating the eastern horizon. BELOW: View of Castle Rock from Shell Ridge. available to all. In 1921, a parcel of land on the mountain was designated a state park, and much of the rest of the mountain was declared a game refuge. Standard Oil placed a ten-million-candlepower aerial navigation beacon on the summit in 1928. The beacon was so powerful that it could be seen by ships 100 miles at sea. Finally, in 1931, areas of chaparral. Riparian woodland occurs on the lower slopes of the mountain, where the state acquired more land for Mount Diablo the streams have water in them throughout State Park, and the park was formally dedicated most of the year. Several isolated stands of and opened to the public. knobcone pine occur within the park, and foothill pine is found in many places. The NATURAL HISTORY northernmost groves of coulter pine occur on Much of the rock that makes up Mount Diablo is the lower, northerly slopes of the mountain, sedimentary in origin. It was laid down millions near the old mining ghost towns of Nortonville of years ago on the floor of the ocean. Within the and Somersville just outside the park. Other last one to two million years, a piece of hard, red trees include the coast live oak, bigleaf maple, Unusual snowfall covers the Summit Building. 160-million-year-old Franciscan rock was pushed California laurel (Oregon myrtle), maul oak, blue The Fire Interpretive Trail — Just below the up through six to eight miles of overlying rock oak and buckeye. In all, over 400 species of summit, this trail showcases the natural recov- and soil, tilting and plants have been identi- ery process that is underway following a 6,000- distorting the rock layers fied within the park’s acre fire in 1977. Some spectacular vistas can almost 20,000 acres. and in some places be enjoyed along the way. The first half of this Wildlife is also abun- turning them completely gentle 0.7-mile trail is accessible to visitors in dant. Coastal black- upside down. As a wheelchairs. result, the fossilized tailed deer, raccoons, Rock City — You will find unusually large remains of many sea California ground sandstone formations and small caves here. creatures, as well as squirrels, eastern fox Climbing Rocks and Castle Rock — These are those of mastodons, squirrels and gray foxes popular places for rock climbing. Check with saber-toothed cats and are often seen, but the ranger for regulations and the best ap- three-toe horses have striped and spotted proach. been discovered here. skunks, bobcats, moun- Fossil Ridge — Evidence of previous residents Elevations in the park tain lions, coyotes, deer mice, cottontail range from 300 to 3,849 feet. This wide range of is embedded in these rocks. Please leave rabbits, black-tailed hares and many other them for future visitors to see. elevations creates broad variations in tempera- animals call the mountain home. Mount ture, rainfall and wind exposure that have Macedo Ranch — An excellent staging area for Diablo is known to harbor red-legged frogs, resulted in a wide variety of plant life on the horseriders, bicyclists and hikers, located on tarantulas, and the rare Alameda whipsnake, as mountain. Summers are hot and dry, so many the western side of the park. well as its cousin the northern rattlesnake. people prefer to visit in spring and fall. The Deer Flat — You are likely to see some of the park is also popular in winter, when Bay Area POINTS OF INTEREST mountain’s natural wildlife as you take this residents occasionally enjoy the unusual Summit Building and Museum — Constructed moderately strenuous 1.6-mile hike from experience of a snowfall on the mountain’s in the late 1930s by the California Conserva- Juniper Camp. peak. tion Corps, the sandstone for the building was Mitchell Canyon Staging Area — This is the Most of the park is typical central California quarried from Rock City. Remnants of ancient main access point to trails on the mountain’s oak and grassland country with extensive fossils can be found on the building. north side. From here you can hike to Deer CAMPING PLEASE REMEMBER Mt. Diablo has 56 campsites with hot showers and flush toilets. Some sites will accommo- •Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed in the date RVs up to 20 feet; trailers are not park. recommended due to road conditions. • Dogs are allowed only in developed areas in Group sites are available with running the park. They must be kept on a leash during the day and in an enclosed vehicle or water and pit toilets. Some have horse tent at night. Dogs are NOT permitted on facilities. trails or fire roads. Campsite reservations can be made by •Fires are a continuing hazard; weather condi- Flat (3.7 miles) phone up to seven months or as little as 48 tions may restrict smoking or prohibit fires or or all the way to hours in advance by calling (800)444-7275. the summit (6.8 even close the park during periods of extreme Outside of the United States, call (916) 638- fire danger. See park staff for specific informa- miles) by way of 5883. Reservation fees can be charged to Juniper Camp. tion. Fires are only allowed in the park’s VISA®, Discover® Card or MasterCard®. barbeques or your portable camp stove. Interpretive Group camping reservations can be made up to Center is open on weekends from 8:00 a.m to Bring your own fuel. Collection of firewood is seven months in advance. prohibited in the park. 2:00 p.m. • Poison oak is found throughout the park. It Diablo Valley Overlook — From here, 2,900 A NOTE FOR BICYCLISTS can cause an unpleasant rash that can even feet above sea level, you can see the Golden Mountain bikes may be ridden on paved be transmitted by touching clothing that has Gate. roads, maintained fire roads and authorized brushed against the plant. Stay on the trails Guided hikes and other interpretive events trails. The three trails currently open to and avoid this hazard. are conducted by the park staff. Publications mountain bikes are: •Plants and animals – even rattlesnakes – are of the park’s history and natural history and a • Summit Trail from South Gate Road through protected by law. This is their home, and you detailed topographic hiking map are for sale inDan Cook Canyon. are the visitor. To avoid rattlers, watch where the park office, at entrance stations and at the• Mother’s Trail from Angel Kerley Road to the you are hiking, and if you see one, give it a Summit, where knowledgeable docents are connector trail to Burma Road. wide berth. It is no more anxious for an available to answer your questions. The • North Peak Trail from Summit Road at encounter than you are. summit museum is open Wednesday through Devil’s Elbow to Prospector’s Gap. •Park hours are 8:00 a.m. to sunset daily. Gates Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., November Cyclists should see park staff for other rules close at sunset and are locked at night. through February and 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and regulations concerning trail use. April through October. PICNICKING There are more than 50 picnic sites, each with table and barbeque stove, scattered along the park’s paved roads. There are also three group picnic areas that can accommodate from 25 to Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association is a nonprofit Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association organization devoted to the promotion of interpre- 100 people each. They can be reserved P.O. Box 346 tive, scientific and educational projects to help the through park headquarters. Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0346 general public enjoy and become knowledgeable (925) 927-7222 about Mt. Diablo, a unique mountain island within www.mdia.org an ever-encroaching urban development.

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D. T U 680 O RESTROOMS S Most land adjacent to the park is private property. B LACK ABLO RD. HA No trespassing without owner's permission. TELEPHONE I W D K R DANVILLE D .