Donner Canyon, Mount Diablo State Park

Featured hike
Mile:
0.0: Begin at the Regency Trailhead. Walk around the gate on the north side of the road, and descend a few feet to an unmarked junction. Turn left and walk toward the park boundary, a visible gate. Once inside the park, one trail departs to the right and 2 to the left. Take either trail to the left, signed Donner Canyon Road (these trails converge shortly).
0.14: Signed junction. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
0.29: Signed junction. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
0.35: Junction. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
0.90: Junction with a path to Donner Cabin Site. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
0.95: Junction with a path to Tick Wood Trail. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
1.00: Signed junction with Hetherington Loop Trail. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
1.27: Junction with Tick Wood Trail. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
1.36: Junction with the other end of Hetherington Loop Trail. Continue straight on Donner Canyon Road.
1.52: Cardinet Junction. Turn left onto Cardinet Oaks Road.
2.01: Junction with Falls Trail. Turn right.
3.02: Junction. Bear right on Middle Trail.
3.42: Junction with Meridian Ridge Road. Turn right.
3.50: Junction, again, with Donner Canyon Road. Turn left and retrace your steps to the trailhead.
5.05: Back at the trailhead.

Getting there:
From CA 24 or Interstate 680 in Contra Costa County, exit 46b/Ygnacio Valley Road (at the 680 split). Drive east on Ygnacio Valley Road about 7 miles, then turn south (right) on Clayton Road. Drive south on Clayton Road (which becomes Marsh Creek Road in Clayton) about 3 miles, and turn right on Regency Road. Drive to the trailhead at the end of the road.

Read about this hike in more detail and view photos at http://www.bahiker.com/eastbahyhikes/donnercanyon.html



© 2005 Jane Huber/Bay Area Hiker