Mount Diablo's Vernal Falls

Friday is a good day to do the Waterfall Loop on Mount Diablo. Weekends in the Spring it can be difficult to get good pictures - without people you've never met in them! That is to say, this is a very popular hike, and on Saturdays and Sundays the trails are well used.
So for those of you who work weekends and like to get on trail during the week, come along for one of the most beautiful, ephemeral Bay Area hikes you can find. The creeks and waterfalls begin running in December(if we're not in a drought)and should be flowing into April. Once we hit late Spring/early Summer, most waterways on the mountain will be drying up.

We'll meet at the end of Regency Drive in Clayton. This starting point gives us a 5.1 mile loop hike, with 1164 feet elevation change. Regency Drive is permitted parking for residents only, on the north side of the street from El Molino Dr. to the property line of the last house on that side. This leaves about 3 parking spaces between the property line and the actual end of the road. On the south side of the street, permits are required from Rialto Dr. to the end of the property line of the last house on that side. So there are about 3 parking spaces on that side of the street near the very end of Regency Dr.
I usually drive to the end of Regency, turn around and drive back up past Rialto, and then park on the south side. There are signs marking the permitted area, so pay attention! A ticket was $49 last time I heard, but it may be more now. The 6 or so spaces at the road's end fill up early, but sometimes I get lucky:) And don't park on Rialto Dr. - it's permit only!
The trail follows Donner Creek up Donner Canyon, and we do have a few creek crossings(poles are helpful). We'll take Donner Canyon to the Hetherington Trail, and at Cardinet Oaks take a left to The Falls Trail. The Falls Loop climbs over rocky terrain, and some of the waterfalls can be seen off trail, in the distance. We will cross a couple of tributary creeks that feed Donner Creek, and get close to very lovely falls and cascades.
Falls Trail eventually joins Middle Trail, which takes us back to Cardinet Oaks and then Donner Canyon. We retrace our steps down canyon to Regency Drive(so it's technically a 'lollipop' hike).

There's lots of poison oak on the mountain, just like all of the Bay Area, so be aware and stay on the trail. Like I mentioned, this is a popular hike so the trail won't be overgrown, but it is narrow in spots. I haven't seen a lot of ticks yet, but with our crazy weather patterns they can suddenly appear anytime, anywhere. Wearing light colored long pants and long sleeves always helps, and tick repellent that can be sprayed on clothing is pretty effective. Regardless, a tick check at the end of every hike should become a habit.

I listed this hike as 3 hours, but it could be a little longer, or maybe a little shorter. It always depends on who shows up, but we hike as a group and no one gets left behind. And on this hike, even aggressive hikers can't help but stop to take pictures. Most hikers rate this one as 'moderately strenuous'.

I'll be carrying a light blue Osprey day pack and wearing a light green fleece jacket. Weather calls for sun, but cool temps, high of 58°.

Don't miss this one!!