Are you up for a strenuous, get your blood pumping and sweat dripping, 7-mile hike climbing 2,268 feet to reach and conquer one of Mt. Diablo State Park’s less popular summits? If you dare to challenge yourself with this trail (and I highly recommend you do), you may likely find stunning panoramic views, lush green canyons, old oaks, manzanita, wildflowers, bird watching, fascinating geology with cool rock formations and a loop that ends with a peaceful and shady creek-side trail segment that makes you naturally exhale all that stress you didn’t even realize you had been carrying around with you! These trails are open year-round but are typically HOT during the summers. Spring is my favorite season to hike this loop with the wildflowers in bloom, the epic green vistas below, and the more temperate and forgiving climate.
What to pack:
Bring plenty of water, a picnic lunch to enjoy at Eagle Peak summit, sunscreen, hiking boots, and trekking poles if you have them, and look out for poison oak, rattlesnakes, coyote, and the impossible-to-miss, gratifying epic and amazing panoramic views. Our furry friends are unfortunately not welcome on the trails in this state park. ☹
Where to park:
Park at the end of Regency Drive in Clayton, CA, making sure to check signs for legal places to park. The end of the street has roughly 14 spots open to non-residents, but beyond that, parking is by residential permit only on weekends and holidays. More legal parking for non-residents is available 1/4 mile back on the right side of Regency, and hey, you’re already hiking 7 miles and ascending 2,268 feet; what’s an additional ¼ mile each way to warm up and cool down?!
Hit the trail:
To get down to the trail from the end of Regency Drive, use the path on the driveway (about eight cars back from the end of the right side of Regency) down to the trail.
- Take the Donner Canyon Fire Road (listed on Google and our image below as Donner Creek Fire Road) for a very short distance to Back Creek Trail.
- Hike Back Creek Trail for .25 miles.
- Turn right onto Murchio Road.
- Hike .65 miles and make a left onto/towards Mitchell Rock Trail (may not be marked but see attached map image for more detail).
- Hike 1.9 miles and stay right at the Eagle Peak Trail crossing towards Eagle Peak/Eagle Peak Trail.
- Hike .85 miles to Eagle Peak summit (elevation 2,369). This is a great spot to have a picnic lunch and enjoy the epic panoramic views.
- Continue .75 miles on Eagle Peak trail.
- Turn left onto Back Creek Trail towards Donner Canyon Road. It’s roughly 3 miles back to Donner Canyon Fire Road from here.
If you park at the end of Regency, it’s 7.1 miles total. If you have to park down the road during permitted parking-only times, it’s 7.6 miles.
Now go out and conquer this beast, have fun, enjoy the views, be proud, and don’t forget to send me your thoughts about the hike!
https://video.wixstatic.com/video/921228_13fb123cad3149cb934fcc3dd21768e5/1080p/mp4/file.mp4
Distance: 7.1 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2,268′
Hike Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Trail Route Type: Loop
*No dogs allowed
