Black Point Summit

After a run of big multi-peak days on this mountain, this was a nice change of pace — a solo trip out to Black Point, a lesser-visited 1,791-foot summit on the north side of Mount Diablo State Park, reached out of the Mitchell Canyon Staging Area. The trail winds through classic Diablo chaparral, with a few steep, slippery stretches on the south-facing slopes leading up toward the high point.

Black Point's actual summit is short, brushy spur just off the main trail, but the views from the ridge nearby are the real reason to come — 360 degrees over the surrounding foothills, with the Delta waterways visible in the distance on a clear day. Golden, late-afternoon light lit up the surrounding ridgelines nicely on the way back down.

About 8.7 miles round trip for the day — shorter and quieter than the big six- and seven-peak days on this mountain, but a worthwhile summit in its own right, and a good one for an easier day out on Diablo.