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Juniper to Summit Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.8 (18)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Tri-Valley
  4. Mount Diablo State Park
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“A combination of steep climbs and descents with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay Area. ”

Anina Middleton
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Map Key

6.6

Miles

10.6

KM

Loop

3,586' 1,093 m

High

2,040' 622 m

Low

1,737' 529 m

Up

1,727' 526 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

  • Vehicle entrance fee: $10 daily or annual pass.
  • Open 8:00 a.m. till sunent.
  • Rattlesnakes and ticks in area.

Overview

This loop is mostly on fire roads with some nice singletrack trails up to the summit. The views of the Bay Area are the some of the best around, and there are some great break off points from the trail for lunch spots or other deviations.

Description

From the overlook parking lot, hike through Juniper Campground, and you'll hit the trailhead of Deer Flat Fire Road. It is a fire road, so it's quite wide and easy to spot. The trail is at the end of the "U". There is a small singletrack trail that leads you up to the fire road. The rest of the trail is very open. There are areas of pretty steep incline and decline, but the views are beautiful the whole way.

Take a right onto Meridian Ridge Fire Road.This wide, dirt road has a good mix of ascent and descent. You'll want to keep right at all the forks leading up to the summit following Meridian Ridge Fire Road.

Take another right onto Prospector's Gap Fire Road. This trail connects the Meridian Ridge Fire Road to the North Peak Trail so you can make your way to the summit. This whole trail is uphill and very steep. If you are headed to the summit then you are obviously going up, so be prepared for a good workout! The views behind you are fantastic of the San Francisco Bay Area though, so a couple quick breaks are not such a bad thing.

Once you come to the Prospector's Gap intersection, the North Peak Trail is very easy to find once you hit the fork at the top. Just take a right onto the North Peak Trail and follow the trail that leads you to the museum at the summit. You'll have to hike Summit Road a little ways to get to Juniper Trail which will lead you very quickly back to your car.

There are multiple signs giving background about Mount Diablo and the surrounding area and plenty of great views to be seen on this hike.

Contacts

Land Manager: California State Parks - Mount Diablo State Park

Shared By:

Anina Middleton
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 18 votes

#5

in Mount Diablo State Park

#2689

Overall
  3.8 from 18 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
61%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
6%
Recommended Route Rankings

#5

in Mount Diablo State Park

#355

in California

#2,689

Overall
39 Views Last Month
8,959 Since Dec 20, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Making our way on the North Juniper Trail. It was so chilly!
Feb 4, 2016 near Blackhawk, CA
We got out of the blistery wind, found some incredible Oak, Pine, even Mistletoe on the Meridian Ridge Fire Road! Muah!
Feb 4, 2016 near Clayton, CA
Summit Trail
Oct 22, 2017 near Blackhawk, CA
We only saw 2 other people on our Monday hike on the North Juniper Trail!
Feb 4, 2016 near Blackhawk, CA
Looking south towards Ransom Point on the trail to Prospectors Gap. The route has little cover, no water, and great views.
Sep 30, 2018 near Clayton, CA
The route is well-kept and exposed, with sweeping views and occasional brisk gusts — especially close to the summit.
Sep 30, 2018 near Clayton, CA

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Apr 16, 2023
Jessica Puente Castro
The train was quite steep in certain parts so I'd recommend poles. Also you need to walk on the road for part of it and it's very busy with cars/bikes 6.6mi — 4h 30m
Mar 20, 2022
Marco R
Mar 9, 2022
Dylan Hale
Feb 22, 2021
Thieb Chau
6.7mi — 3h 30m
Nov 27, 2020
Bill Lee
11h 25m
Jul 10, 2020
Sahara Birrueta Amezcua
Jun 13, 2020
Alex Lu
Th trail seems to be longer than 6.6 miles loop. My friend said his app showed we walked 14 miles. Also there are steep up/down hills climb
Feb 23, 2020
Casey Chu

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