Sunday, January 11th, 2026
16.5 miles, 5,300 vertical feet, and 6 1/2 hours of hiking
When Evan asked me if I wanted to do what is known to be the hardest commonly done (sane) route on Mt. Diablo, I was a strong maybe. However, somehow I found myself waking up on Sunday morning at 4:30 am to start the two hour drive North. Imagine my surprise when driving Highway 156 over to Highway 101, when a see a brief flash of brown in my headlights followed by a thud and the disappearance of my driver’s side mirror.
Somehow, a bird evaporating my side mirror was not something that I had expected for that day’s ordeal. However, I soldiered on and continued North, gulping coffee and eyeing every car in my rear view for the distinct antennas, insignia, and light bars of CHP. Not wanting to catch the flak from Evan for bailing more than I didn’t want a ticket, I arrived as planned at the Mitchell Canyon Trailhead, just a few minutes later than Evan and Miles.
The initial climb up to the first of five peaks, Olympia, was a bit of a beast. Starting with cold legs and frustrated by my morning bird-strike, it took a bit of hiking to shake it all off and to really get in gear. More than 2,500 vertical feet over five miles, keeping an average pace closer to a jog than a stroll, we conquered the fuck-you climb to reach the peak, and grabbed a snack. It was a beautiful view, we could see Sutro Tower and San Francisco to our West, the snowy Sierra Nevada to our East, and the Mendocino Forest to our North.
We continued cruising up to North Peak (peak two of five), which has been co-opted as a cell tower. The stairs were a nice change, although the road was so washed out on the last climb to get to them that it was almost a moot point. We eyed the actual peak, and Evan’s promise of a snack shack at the summit nearly brought tears to my eyes.
The peak itself was wild. Hiking nine miles and more than 3,500 vertical feet to arrive at a parking lot was disconcerting. We found ourselves taking a seat in the shade and grabbing a snack before approaching the peak, as cyclists, Teslas, and motorcycles whizzed past. We met some wonderful Italians visiting from Parma who were quick to inform us it was the origin of the cheese, although working in software it seemed they disappointingly had no hand in its creation.
The four mile descent went quick as we chatted about the benefits and detriments of different shoes and outdoor gear, and pictures became fewer and further between. Unfortunately, the descent meant that we did have some more vert to pick up to make it to the fourth peak, Eagle Peak. Continuing past, we ticked off the fifth peak, Twin Peaks, summarily (having a pitiful 13 feet of prominence). As Evan called home to discuss the prospects of a hearty lasagna and a pan of rice crispy treats, I looked forward to a drive thru and a nice Epsom salt foot soak.
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