The Defiant One - Feb 23, 2005 2:49 am

My homecourt. My house borders the state park in clayton. CLimb here often to train for serious mountains. 4 summits is the best way to experience the whole north side



Have climbed a new route. Will add North Peak Direct soon...

coastclimber - Dec 16, 2004 3:48 pm

Did this hike starting at Mitchell Canyon trailhead to Deer Flat to Juniper Trail to summit. Great trails, beautiful views. Descended via same route for a total hike of about 16 miles or so with around 3200 feet of elevation gain. Moderate weather at the trailhead, summit temps were in the high 30's with strong winds. Make sure you bring warm clothes in fall/winter! Highly recommended - will definitely want to do this one again in the spring.

Dean - Dec 6, 2004 10:56 pm

Having been chasing bay area county highpoints since 5 a.m., I was running out of time so I drove it (bad form). I did manage to get there while they had the summit facility open and I was able to put my foot on the highest point (according to the plaque on the post) Lots of bicyclists but the view was hazy and not a great day to visit up here. I'll have to do it again, via the trail system.

Diggler - Nov 7, 2004 3:52 am

Summited with Marianne. While I'd been up this Bay Area landmark numerous times before, this was the only time I'd 'climbed' it (ascended from its base, using only my only 2 legs [not on bike]). Assume it was in April, as I obtained my cast from breaking my L middle finger in April, & Marianne left for Antarctica in May. Interestingly enough, I wrote the exact landmark times for the ascent down, but not the actual date we did this.



* 13.13: started @ Mitchell Cr. Canyon.

* sat @ picnic table, enjoyed the scenery, etc.

* after reaching final trail portion between roadway sections leading up to summit parking lot, some amateur foo' in a leather jacket tried to hang (staying in front of me), but couldn't; passed his ass & didn't look back :)

* 16.31: got to the observation deck.

* 16.52: attainment of the 'actual summit,' after discovering that it was actually in the summit shelter.

* walked about summit shelter, checked out the displays.

* 18.04: left the summit parking lot.

* unable to find the correct Prospector's Gap Trail; ended up at observation deck instead.

* After turning around, though we'd found the right trail, or at least one that would lead to it. Instead, trail kept getting fainter & fainter.

* after an eternity of infernal bushwhacking (getting scraped & generally fucked up), we finally ran into the trail shortly before Prospector's Gap.

* having a great hike, dipped feet in water after unable to find Donner cabin.

* taking the Bruce Lee connector trail, finally arrived back at the car @ 21.50.



Great hike with wonderful company!

Gangolf Haub - Nov 1, 2004 6:13 am

Chris Doig - Sep 8, 2004 2:31 pm

Climbed to summit of Mt Olympia with my 15 year old son Zach. First time topping out on this peak. Made it a loop. 4 hour trip. See trip report for gory details.

Chris Doig - Sep 3, 2004 4:11 pm

I did first time on Easter Sunday. Started at Regency gate, went up Donner Canyon to Middle Trail then up to Prospectors Gap. From there you go around back to Devils Elbow then up to the Summit. Fantastic view this day.



Also did in Nov 2003 with my son Zach on the much easier Mitchell Canyon route. We now live in Clayton so I hike and bike here alot now.



Started the new year off right, with a summit! Hiked up with good buddy Jeff 1-1-05
Update: 6th annual new years day summit 1-1-2010 about 28 total

oneoftheluckyones - Aug 16, 2004 5:30 pm

nice place to hike... sure you can drive to the 360 degree views at the top, but there are also many varied trails in the park and you can design your own route... there are also some nice waterfalls in the northern section of the park... and the view from anywhere near the summit is still great, regardless of whether it's attained by foot or car...

Zzyzx - May 11, 2004 1:27 am

I usually hike from Mitchell Canyon Road TH, through Eagle's Peak and then Prospector Gap. First time I hiked to the top in September 1996 and then I went back more often in 2002 training for Shasta. Nice hike, steep at times, beautiful views. One time while running almost stepped on a rattle snake, another time heard a mountain lion or a bobcat about 30' above me.

It's a good training place for bigger mountains.

Johnhl94563 - Apr 24, 2004 12:35 pm

Nice warm day with good views. Hazy in the distance and fairly uncrowded.

briand97 - Apr 13, 2004 11:34 am

Beautiful weather! Nice long leisurely walk up to the top. Great views. I wish that people were not allowed to drive to the top as it would make for less crowds and preserve the natural beauty of the park.



Watch out for mountain bikers - almost got run over by three teenagers even though the trail is posted no bikes.

balajisv - Mar 31, 2004 3:38 pm

Didn't do Mt. Olympia. Great views of the Bay Area and nice spring flowers.

Bob Burd - Mar 27, 2004 1:34 am

Followed Matthew's route directions for the most part, with some additional cross-country after leaving Mt. Olympia. A very fun hike. Trip Report

Completebum - Mar 8, 2004 1:34 am

Did this as part of the Pacific Coast Trail runs event last June. Started up from the Mitchell Canyon parking lot-Deer flat road-Juniper trail-summit trail and then retraced my steps to Meridian ridge road-black creek trail-Coulter pine trail. The weather was awesome with a fog bank rolling over the western slopes and a limitless view to the north and east.

derbilly - Feb 24, 2004 2:52 am

This was my first hike in CA.

Hack - Feb 3, 2004 2:24 am

Fun little hike...Great view from the top

blmcclain - Feb 2, 2004 2:23 pm

Started out at the Mitchel Canyon parking lot and meandered towards Balck Canyon. Moved up onto the ridge and had lunch on top of Eagle Peak. From there followed the northwest ridge up to the saddle between the North Peak and the South Peak. Followed the trail around to the south side of the South peak and deviated to scramble up Devils Pulpit - slick rock but a good deviation. Clouds closed in quickly and visibility dropped to 10 to 20 feet. Total route was 8 miles up and we drove down because of the worsening conditions. Hiked with hyperbolictans.

rgreene - Nov 23, 2003 11:16 pm

Fantastic weather after weeks of snow and rain. Not a cloud in the sky, but a bit hazy, so the views weren't perfect. I did the top half of the Four Summits route (Mitchell Rock Trail, Eagle Peak Trail, Bald Ridge Trail, North Peak Trail, Ascent via Devil's Pulpit) but pulled a muscle on the way up, so had to abort the 2nd half. I did Juniper Trail, Deer Flat Road, Mitchell Canyon Road on the way back -- longer, but no ascents. That route wouldn't be so great for ascending, no break in the uphill, plus the view of Eagle Peak from far below is not nearly as fun as the view from on top! North Peak and Mount Olympia next time... The Devil's Pulpit scramble was quite fun, and is highly recommended!

Sierrabonehead - Nov 21, 2003 7:43 pm

This doesn't even count. Camping on the mountain, they close the park gates at 2000 hours. Drove to the summit in cold rain about 2200 and was alone. Talked on CB as far as Foresthill, Santa Rosa, San Jose, Fresno, ect. Good radio outpost. I didn't climb it, but for the faux paux, a raccoon woke me at 0300 walking on me in the back of my truck looking for food. YOW! Got MY attention! Bonked my head on the camper shell big time. My yelling freaked out the only other folks in camp.

Financeguy - Nov 15, 2003 2:15 pm

Have summitted several times. A nice day hike starting from Mitchell Canyon. The views from the top are quite nice, reaching out to the Golden Gate Bridge and Farralon Islands.