See Mt. Tam from Mt. Diablo!

Let's take a jaunt to the East Bay...

Come help me explore the "Mt. Diablo Grand Loop" (Hike description and Map) (http://www.everytrail.com/guide/mount-diablos-grand-loop)

I've not really done serious hiking on Mt. Diablo, Susan says this is a grand time for me to expand my horizons.

It turns out the Loma Prieta Section of Gay and Lesbian Sierrans are doing this same hike this day!

I would like members of our group to see what a GLS hike looks like so I'm changing the time so we will at least be at the trail head at the same time as their group. The GLS hike leader calls the hike strenuous... I call it moderate. The Hiking Dykes of Marin will be at the Diablo Valley Overlook at 9:45am. Unlike the GLS group only floods, large earthquakes, or a plague of locusts cancels...

Bring hydration, layers, snacks, and gratitude...

We'd very much like to see carpools to this event.

GLS is starting the hike at 9am at a park and ride but their actual hike starts at 10:15 at the trail head.

GLS description of this hike:

Mt. Diablo Grand Loop Hike Date: Sunday, April 6, 2014 Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Presented by: Loma Prieta Gay and Lesbian Leader: Ronald Levesque - Level: Strenuous (2B2) Location: Mount Diablo, California 94598, USA

It is said that hikers can see more of the earth’s surface from atop Mt. Diablo than any other peak in the world but Mt. Kilimanjaro. Although only 3,900 feet tall, Diablo rises very abruptly from its surroundings and it towers over the nearly flat Bay Area and the Central Valley. Let's see how Diablo is recovering from the devastating fire of 2013. We’ll take a 9-mile circuit hike around the summit that affords awesome views that extend as far as the Sierras to the east and Mt. Lassen to the north and 25 miles out to sea to the west. At this time of year, wild flowers abound as well and our loop around Diablo brings new colors at each turn. Bring suitable clothing and sunscreen for a hiker is exposed at this altitude. Also bring plenty of water and lunch. Meet at the park in the Laurel Nook Picnic Area in the wide turnout at the Diablo Valley Overlook at 10:15am, and contact the leader if you intend to join the hike at the park. Rain cancels. 8-9 miles, 2000 feet