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California County Highpointing Day 2

Date of trip: 03/02/2015

Mileage: 5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet

Time: 3 Hour(s) and 0 Minutes

Class: 1

Partners: N/A

GPS Track: NA

Peaks Climbed on Trip:
Peak Name Elevation Prominence Range Close to County highpoint Range highpoint Map
Mount Vaca28191969Vaca MountainsVacaville, CaliforniaSolanoYes38.4005, -122.1061
Mount Diablo38493119Diablo RangeClayton, CaliforniaContra CostaYes37.8817, -121.9142
Mount Davidson927650N/ASan Francisco, CaliforniaSan FranciscoNo37.7382, -122.4533

Photos

*Click any image for larger photo or to start slideshow

Trip Report

This was day 2 of a trip to California. I had done 2 county highpoints the day before. Today I was hoping to get 3.

After spending the night near the Napa County Highpoint, I was heading to Mount Vaca near Vacaville. Mount Vaca has a white knuckle road to near the summit.

Today's weather wasn't as nice as yesterday, but at least it wasn't raining. I got near the summit using directions from cohp.org. I then walked the last mile or so to the top. The top was covered with large towers, but had a area of boulders that seemed to be the highpoint. I touched the top and headed back down.

The next peak on my agenda was Mount Diablo east of San Francisco. Diablo has over 3000 feet of prominence and is very prominent from everywhere in the bay area. After an 1:15 minute drive, I found myself at one of the many trails to the summit of Mount Diablo (you can also drive). I picked the summit trail and a short hike. Within 30 minutes I was on top of my 4th county highpoint in 2 days.

The top of Diablo is filled with plaques and informational signs. On the summit is a large building, like a lighthouse-like tower. I enjoyed the views and toured the building. Soon I was headed across the Bay Bridge into San Francisco for my final highpoint of the day, Mount Davidson, highest point in San Francisco County.

I parked about a mile from the top and found a trail to the top. I was pleasantly surprised to find the trail went through a nice wooded area. I enjoyed the short hike to the top. The top was adorned with a large cross and a plaque honoring victims of the Armenian genocide.

Just below the top, there was a clearing with incredible views of the San Francisco metropolitan area. I enjoyed the views for nearly an hour before finally heading to my hotel room for the next 3 days and preparing for work.

Great views and peaks the last 2 days!


Getting There

To get to Mount Vaca, I just typed the peak name into the GPS to get to the trailhead mentioned above.

For Diablo, same thing... just type Mount Diablo into your GPS. The summit trail "trailhead" I used was located in a signed turnout about 1.5 miles from the end of the road on the summit.

For Mount Davidson, I drove to the corner of La Bica and Rockdale. The trail started just uphill from the corner, on La Baca street.

All 3 are steep, windy drives.


Hiking Directions

For Mount Vaca, drive to within a mile of the peak, then follow the road Blue Ridge Road to the summit (it forks from a Y in the road and is marked with a no trespassing sign, which isn't enforced, and 2 gates).

For Mount Diablo, there are numerous options to the top. I chose the summit trail. You can also drive to the top.

For Mount Davidson, there are many short hikes to the top from all directions.







Please send comments, suggestions, and questions to Dan.
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