  |
SDSUHiker
Member
|
    
Hello - my fiance and I are new to the area and we have a 7.1 mile hike around Mount Diablo after Christmas. I'm not sure what the area is like in late December, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
-----
--SDSUHiker
|
Total Posts: 7 | Joined Aug. 2008 | Posted on: 8:10 pm on Sep. 22, 2008 | IP
|
|
Chris C
Member
|
Late winter or early spring is the best time to hike Mt. Diablo. The only drawback is that it can be muddy after a rain, and very slippery. But it is beautiful since the whole mountain has turned green (as opposed to brown in summer). I would highly suggest using hiking poles if you have them. Hike it again in the spring when all the wildflowers are in bloom and areas are completely covered with bright orange California Poppies. Have a great time!
|
Total Posts: 22 | Joined June 2008 | Posted on: 9:21 pm on Sep. 22, 2008 | IP
|
|
Eric White
Member
|
Expect it to be chilly, and as Chris says, potentially wet, muddy, and slippery. By chilly I mean likely anywhere from the upper 30s to mid 50s, so certainly not bad.
|
Total Posts: 63 | Joined April 2005 | Posted on: 10:22 am on Sep. 24, 2008 | IP
|
|
SDSUHiker
Member
|
Thanks for the advice, guys! I'll be sure to plan accordingly. I've checked several weather resources and Mt. D doesn't seem to be much different from my hometown (Santee, CA) during the winter. I wish I could hike it during spring, but my winter break is the only time I can be out there. I'm in school in San Diego right now, but I graduate in May - I'll try next year for the spring. 
-----
--SDSUHiker
|
Total Posts: 7 | Joined Aug. 2008 | Posted on: 10:36 pm on Sep. 24, 2008 | IP
|
|
Randy
Member
|
Mt Diablo is one of the places that I think of most in spring or fall for the various unique aspects of those seasons. But winter has its fine days too. A couple of unpredictable things to be prepared for are the wind and fog. And of course if it’s too wet; yeah, really muddy. My wife and I hiked there a couple of years ago on Christmas day. We had high overcast with low fog. It was unusual because the conditions allowed long range views, but not close range, or sky view. The pictures are here. If you happen to get a clear day following closely behind some light rain, you can expect to see fantastic views for hundreds of miles, and you can see the snowcapped Sierra Nevada range.
|
Total Posts: 147 | Joined Sep. 2004 | Posted on: 9:18 pm on Sep. 25, 2008 | IP
|
|
Chris C
Member
|
Randy - Those are great pictures! Thanks for sharing.
|
Total Posts: 22 | Joined June 2008 | Posted on: 7:27 am on Sep. 30, 2008 | IP
|
|
4wheelbob
Member
|
SDSU, the other significant thing that time of year will depend where you start. If you walk Mitchell Cyn to North peak, for instance, you will find as much as a 30 degree difference at the summit than at the Mitchell Canyon TH. Oh, yeah...it's bound to be windy, at times VERY windy. I don't do mud very well but would agree that the time to be out there is when the mountain's going green again. Pretty awesome! Heck, it may still be dry in December, looking at my long range models....
-----
4wheelbob
|
Total Posts: 67 | Joined July 2006 | Posted on: 10:03 am on Oct. 20, 2008 | IP
|
|
4wheelbob
Member
|
Just to update - we were out on Murchio / Eagle Peak Trails last Friday with ABC News (yes, the NETWORK got wind of me!) and the trails were in early summer condition out of Mitchell Canyon. A spectacular day it was, too. The creek's still bone dry, sadly.
-----
4wheelbob
|
Total Posts: 67 | Joined July 2006 | Posted on: 6:15 am on Jan. 20, 2009 | IP
|
|
| |
|
Bay Area Hiker Discussion Board
Mount Diablo
