MT. DIABLO STATE PARK - EAGLE PEAK LOOP HIKE
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008

RSVP Note:  If you plan on this hike, please call Sue Geisler (408-1010) and confirm.

DIFFICULTY:  Strenuous

ELEVATION GAIN:  Starting elevation - 600 ft.  Highest elevation (Eagle Peak) - 2369 ft.

HIKE DISTANCE:  Approximately 8 miles

GENERAL LOCATION:  North section of Mt. Diablo State Park outside the town of Clayton

DESCRIPTION:   Get your taxes done early and come out to enjoy the stunning scenery at Mt. Diablo State Park! Rich McDrew (Sue Geisler's brother) who is President of the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association will be our guide and leader for this hike, so our trek will be enhanced with knowledge about the natural and historical points about the Park. This loop hike will start at the Mitchell Canyon entrance and follow Mitchell Canyon Road (a wide track trail) to Deer Flat where we will eat lunch and "enjoy one of the mountain's memorable beauty spots".   
From there the trail climbs steeply up to Eagle Peak, described as  "an exciting hogback, often only a few feet wide with sharp drop-offs on each side------ a rocky belvedere from which to admire the expanse of Contra Costa's Central Valley" (quotes are from a Mt. Diablo hike pamphet).   Note -- the peak is safe for climbing!!   In addition to seeing the views, we will visit --- or peer down into --- a mine shaft on Eagle Peak.  The journey from the Peak to the trailhead is a welcome downhill!  Finally, our excursion will be multicolored --- with many wildflowers and the lush green of Spring!  Plus we might even spot a golden eagle!!

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:   Approximately 2 hour drive and 100 miles.  Return time to Lincoln ---- we will have dinner in Clayton after the hike to avoid the commute traffic, so it may be 7:30 to 8:00 pm before we return to Lincoln.  Hikers could also drive directly back to Lincoln and not stay in Clayton for dinner (but all those hikers would need to be in the same car). A donation of $15 is suggested for riders.  Detailed driving directions will be handed out to all drivers.
NOTE:  There is a $3 entrance fee per car at Mitchell Canyon.

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:   Leader --- Rich McDrew (Sue's brother)   Sweep ---- Sue Geisler

SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES:  Bathrooms at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor's Center
PREPARATION FOR HIKE:   See #8 Standard Hiking Equipment and #9 Guidelines for Hiking information on the website. Hiking boots, trekking poles (strongly recommended), lunch, sufficient water, and mosquito repellent.  IMPORTANT:  Wear light colored clothing (long pants and long sleeved shirt) as preventative measures for poison oak and ticks. You can't see ticks on dark colored pants!
RISKS:  Poison oak, mosquitoes, and ticks are all present in the Park.  The trails are primarily wide track, so it will be easy to be vigilant for these outdoor annoyances!   Some steep climbing sections.
QUESTIONS:  Call Sue Geisler at 408-1010

MEETING TIME:  7:00 AM - LEAVING TIME:  7:15 AM