From the fog into the high heat

On Memorial Day I drove to the East Bay for a hike on Diablo where I haven't been for several years. It was cool and foggy when I left Marin County in the North Bay but sunny by the time I got to the Donner Canyon trail head on the north side of Mt. Diablo State Park. In fact I forgot how hot it can get when doing an extended day hike on the mountain far inland from the coast on a sunny late spring day. Even though I drank a lot before the hike I had to ration out my liter of water on the way down.

The North Peak

Mt. Diablo is 3,849' and totally dominates all surrounding elevations in the SF East Bay. With a well paved road many people drive to the top to enjoy the extensive view, supposedly one of the most far reaching of any mountain on earth in spite of the elevation. The North Peak, 3,557', is a rugged ridge with transmission towers. The unpaved road up to the peak is so steep at one point it's hard to keep your footing even hiking down it! Needless to say only hikers and well rigged 4WDs make it to this summit.