North Peak & Mount Diablo

Back on the Morgan Territory Road route to North Peak and Diablo, three months after the first trip up this way — same steep, direct climb, no warm-up switchbacks, straight up from the parking lot. Came in a little shorter this time at 7.6 miles round trip, but the 4,265 feet of gain packed into that distance made sure it was every bit as tough as the first time.

A marine layer had pushed in below the ridge, filling the valleys and lower hills with a thick, bright white cloud bank while the trail up top stayed in clear sun the whole way — one of those days where the high points turn into islands above the fog. Hood up and plenty of sunscreen on for the exposed climb, maybe more sunscreen than strictly necessary, but better too much than not enough up here.

Straight up to North Peak, on to Diablo's main summit, and back down the same steep way — a short, brutal, and genuinely beautiful repeat of one of the toughest lines up this mountain.

This one wasn't really about North Peak or Mount Diablo specifically — it was about getting back in shape for everything else on the list this year. Morgan Territory Road is the steepest way up either summit, and it wastes no time proving it: the trail tilts up hard almost immediately out of the parking lot and barely lets go the entire way to North Peak, no warm-up switchbacks or easy grade to ease into the effort.

North Peak came first, Diablo's rugged, road-less twin, reached after grinding out most of the day's roughly 4,300 feet of gain in just the first few miles. From there the route continues on to Mount Diablo's main summit at 3,849 feet, the one stop on the mountain with pavement, a visitor center, and the usual crowds, a strange contrast after the quiet, punishing climb to get there.

About 8.6 miles round trip, and every bit as steep as advertised — legs were properly tested well before the halfway point. Good training, though, and exactly the kind of day meant to build toward some bigger objectives coming up this year. Being physically ready is step one, and this was a solid start toward it.