Mount Diablo
Rim of the Bay Hike, December 2001

Overcast skies dominated the morning drive to Diablo Valley. The winding road to Mount Diablo State Park led straight into the thick clouds. Before reaching the park entrance, the road broke through the fog exposing bright blue skies above.

After setting up camp, the six scouts and two adults set up camp and began the 3-mile, 2000-foot climb to the summit. The commanding views along the trail resembled a sea of clouds blanketing the valley below. The sun warmed the hikers as they stripped off layers of clothing.

The cold wind at the summit was a sharp contrast to the warm hike up the trail. Taking shelter in the lookout tower, the hikers consumed their lunches before descending back to camp.

After preparing and eating their dinner, the campers took advantage of the early December sunset to complete the hike to Rock City.

Whisps of clouds picked up the waning orange twilight colors as the sun set below the horizon. Darkness set thick in the forested Rock City area, preventing the nocturnal explorers from locating the sandstone caves.

After returning along the deserted park roadway, the campers savored peach cobbler by the campfire before retiring to their warm tents for the night.

The calm night broke into a cold and wet rain storm during the night. The campers set up a rain fly and huddled near the camp stove, warming their insides with french toast and sausage. The sun began to break through the clouds as camp was struck.

Returning to Rock City, the now warm and dry campers explored the wind-formed, sandstone caves. The inclement and unpredictable December weather kept the day-use crowds away, treating the spelunkers to a private, self-guided tour of the pertroglyphs and carvings.

The Saturday overcast transformed to clear skies by late Sunday morning. The campers enjoyed the view from Artist Point as they ate their lunch and shared their Scout's Own reflections.

In the 30 or so hours they spent at Mount Diablo State Park, the campers experienced a wide range of weather and views. This was indeed a weekend to remember.