Mount Diablo State Park

8.5 miles in 4:45:00

Rating : Moderate/Strenuous

Elevation Gain : 1,800 ft

Notes :

• Second hike of the summer
• Well marked trail; saw about a dozen other hikers
• Came across two rattle snakes — freaked us out and delayed our hike a bit
• The climb to Murchio Gap was steep (never thought it would end) and we were tempted to turn around.  Glad we didn’t.  Forged on and enjoyed the climb down.
• I always hike with a camera but we accidentally left it at home.  It was somewhat of a liberating experience — enjoyed the freedom to admire wildflowers, butterflies, and surrounding beauty without the constraints of a lens.  I occasionally pulled out my iPhone to capture a few images for Project Life.  (Did ya the number of photos in this post?)
• More sun than shade but the weather was awesome so it made for an enjoyable hike.
• PB & J on multigrain bread + mango + carrots + nuts + cranberries = perfect hiking food
• The twenty bucks I spent on a bladder turned out to be the best purchase ever.  Forget carrying water bottles in fanny packs/backpacks.  The camel pack is the way to go.
• The map in our hiking guide lacked the necessary details for a successful hike.  We took a picture of a couple’s trail map with our iPhone to help us navigate our way to the trail head.  We did NOT get lost.  Note to self : pick up a detailed trail map at the Ranger Station before heading out for our next adventure.
• Jewels + I agreed that rattle snakes + steep climbs definitely add to the adventure.
• Our next hike will be on flatter terrain.  What was I thinking when I picked the first two hikes of the summer?  Both were rated strenuous + had crazy elevation gains!
• Enjoyed a well deserved pomegranate pick-me-up smoothie at the end of the hike.