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The Diablo Trail was originally conceived in 1988, as
acquisitions by Save Mount Diablo, the State and the East Bay
Regional Park District began to connect Mt. Diablo State Park
with Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, across Riggs
Canyon. The route was outlined by Bob Walker, Kate
McKillop, Bob Doyle, Don de Fremery and Seth Adams.
Walker, Adams and John and Renata Woodbury backpacked the route
for the first time in March 1988, at the time needing permission
from a variety of private landowners.
Five years later, in 1993 Save Mount Diablo proposed the 30 mile
multi-use Diablo Trail to showcase the regional cooperation that
has preserved lands across Mount Diablo from Walnut Creek to
Brentwood and Livermore. The Diablo Trail stretches through six
different open spaces -- Shell Ridge Open Space, Diablo Foothills
Regional Park, Mt. Diablo State Park, Morgan Territory Regional
Preserve, the Los Vaqueros watershed and Round Valley Regional
Preserve -- crossing more than 50,000 acres of public land, half
of it acquired in the past fourteen years.
It is our hope that one day the Diablo Trail will continue south
through Altamont Pass and into the Diablo Range and that a 60-70
mile Grand Diablo Loop Trail will circle north back to the
mountain through Cowell Ranch and Black Diamond Mines.
The Diablo Trail Is New
It does not yet show up on all trail maps and not all park signs
yet reflect its route. Water is limited along the route,
there are only a few places where you can camp, and generally
only campgrounds have bathrooms. It is hoped that
additional facilities will be provided in the future.
The Diablo Trail includes several single track (narrow) sections,
but the entire length is multi-use -- open to hikers, cyclists
and equestrians. Be aware that any or all of the six parks
the trail crosses are subject to fire closure during the dry
season. Sections of the Trail can be accessed from a
variety of staging areas along its length and you can day hike all
of the trail -- Save Mount Diablo almost always includes a series
of four day hikes on four different weekends in its Spring and
Summer hike schedules, including the full length of the Diablo
Trail. There is sometimes a one-day marathon version as
well.
The simplest place to begin the Diablo Trail is at the south end
of Marshall Drive in Walnut Creek, at the entrance to Shell Ridge
Recreation Area. The Trail ends at the Round Valley
Regional Preserve Staging Area on Marsh Creek Road near
Brentwood. However, neither location yet allows overnight
parking and you will need to be dropped off and picked up at each
end. At the Morgan Territory or Round Valley Regional
Preserve boundaries with the Contra Costa Water District Los
Vaqueros watershed, you must pay a $1 per person per day permit
fee.
At present, without special permission, the Diablo Trail can only
be backpacked in three or fewer days, given the locations of
campgrounds. It is a rugged trail in many places and ideal
for mountain bikers. In Mt. Diablo State Park you can
reserve a campsite at Live Oak Campground or Buckeye Group
Campground on Southgate Road for one night
(http://www.reserveamerica.com/usa/ca/mtdi/index.html); there is
also a Horse camp nearby. In Morgan Territory Regional Preserve you can
reserve the Morgan Backpack Camp above Morgan Territory Road by calling Roger
Epperson, Park Supervisor, at (925) 775-3715. Please note that there is no
authorized overnight parking available at Morgan Territory.
Enjoy!
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