MtD Grand Loop: Deer Flat Traditional Cache

Mt. Diablo is a great place to hike, combining great vistas on the south side with verdant trees and streams on the north side.  The MtD Grand Loop series combines the best of both sides.  Don't just stand there -- come hike these great trails! There is an entrance fee of $10.00, but it is free if you have a California State Park annual pass.

The MtD Grand Loop series goes around the summit on all sides, in a roughly rectangular pattern, covering some of the loveliest areas of the mountain.  A good starting point is the Juniper campground (GCM61W, at N 37° 52.611 W 121° 55.848), from which the Deer Flat trail heads north to Deer Flat, then on the Meridian Ridge trail to the Bald Ridge Trail, then south to Prospector's Gap; then south on the North Peak trail to Devil's Elbow, then uphill to the summit parking lot, then from the west end of the parking lot back to Juniper campground.  The entire circuit is 10.5 km (6.5 miles), with 600 meters (1973 feet) total elevation gain.  Today when I hiked the circuit, it took 2 hours 45 minutes hiking time (allow additional time for geocache searches and rest stops).

This cache is located at Deer Flat, near the intersection of Mitchell Canyon Road, Deer Flat Road and Meridian Ridge Road. There are some picnic tables about 100 meters (310 feet) south of the cache spot, along Mitchell Canyon Road.

WATCH OUT FOR POISON OAK.