Mitchell Canyon, Mt. Diablo State Park

Monday April 29, 2024

Please sign up for this field trip on Meetup. Registration opens April 1.   Please sign Waiver for Marin Chapter 2024.

Mitchell Canyon is one of the wildflower “hot spots” in the Bay Area. This walk will be slow and easy, about 2 miles in length total, three-fourths on the Mitchell Canyon fire road and one-fourth on the single-track Globe Lily Trail.  Please bring your lunch.  After the walk, we will eat at the picnic tables in the shade near the visitor center.

We expect to see the rare (1B.2) Mt. Diablo fairy lantern (Calochortus pulchellus), along with many other spring wildflowers, hopefully including goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia), broomrape (Aphyllon fasciculatum), blue witch (Solanum umbelliferum), virgin’s bower (Clematis ligusticifolia), colonial onion (Allium unifolium), Sacramento Valley buttercup (Ranunculus canus), yerba santa, wallflowers, blow wives, ookow, silver bush lupine, and more.  If we’re lucky, we’ll also see the butterfly mariposa lily (Calochortus venustus), although we may be too early for that one. And looking up, on the slopes of Mt. Diablo, we’ll see stands of beautiful gray pines (Pinus sabiniana).

The Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association publishes a wonderful online Wildflower Guide. In addition, along the fire road there are ten numbered markers, which are described in this downloadable Mitchell Canyon Trail Interpretive Guide

Carpooling Options: Meet at 8:15 at Mission Avenue Park & Ride in San Rafael or Meet at 8:15 at the Manzanita Park & Ride in Mill Valley

Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, Mt. Diablo State Park,  96 Mitchell Canyon Road,  Clayton, CA 94517

Driving Directions: The route to Walnut Creek may vary depending on where you start in Marin County. Once in Walnut Creek, from the intersection of Interstate 680 and Ygnacio Valley Road, go east on Ygnacio Valley Road 6.7 miles to Pine Hollow Road. Turn right on Pine Hollow Road and follow it for 1.7 miles to Mitchell Canyon Road. Turn right on Mitchell Canyon Road and follow it for 1.5 miles; the road dead-ends at the park entrance. Entry fee is $6.00 in cash per vehicle. There are restrooms by the parking lot.

Bring: Water, lunch, and rain gear.     Rain cancels

Email Suzanne with any questions. Text for day-of-trip questions or issues: 510-909-3980