Hike around Pine Canyon - Mt. Diablo State Park

It's been a long time since I've been to Mt. Diablo State Park.  It's one of my favorite places, but so are all of the other parks around here.  So, I got my trusty map and planned a hike.  I wanted to do a loop hike, and I found a nice route around Pine Canyon.  Most of this route is on fire roads, but Secret Trail is a single track that winds through some nice forest.  This was a busy route, filled with hikers and runners of all ages.  

The trailhead is located at the end of Green Valley Road in Alamo.  There is parking there, and bathrooms, but you'll need to pay the $6 fee in to a little box, and put your reciept on your dash.

 

Distance: 6.14 miles

Ascent: 2905 feet

Descent: 2984 feet

Calories burned: approximately 660

 

Photo Map  

 

Route:

Start out at the Marcedo Ranch Trailhead (End of Green Valley Road in Alamo)

Bathrooms, picnic tables, $6 parking fee

Take Wall Point Road

Bear Right at split between Dusty Road and Wall Point Road

Keep on Wall Point Road past Emmons Canyon Road

Climb to Wall Point at 1600 feet

Keep Left on Wall Point Road toward Secret Trail

Left on to Secret Trail

Left on BBQ Terrace Road

Left on to Stage Road 

Left on to Dusty Road

Right on Well Point Road back to parking lot

 

Notable Scenes:

Sun hitting the back side of these Oaks on the hill next to Wall Point Road 

You'll see this nice cluster of Oaks as you climb Wall Point Road, just past the cow gate

 

Perching Scrub Jays on a Manzanita - Wall Point Road 
Secret Trail - The only single track trail on this hike 

Full Photo Gallery