North Peak–Murchio Gap, 7 sights
9.1 mi · ▲ 3,213 ft · 4 hr 38 min
North Peak–Murchio Gap, 7 sights is a 9.1-mile out-and-back in Mount Diablo State Park near Clayton, CA. The route passes Murchio Gap and Prospectors Gap before reaching North Peak at the turnaround, 4.5 miles in. It climbs 3,213 ft, with sections as steep as 30% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 72/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
North Peak–Murchio Gap, 7 sights
9.1 mi · ▲ 3,213 ft · 4 hr 38 min
Elevation 545–3,539 ft
Out & Back · Mount Diablo State Park
Trailhead: Back Creek Trail · 37.92111, -121.92748
Weather Aug 3: Partly cloudy, high 99°F / low 62° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:13 AM · sunset 8:16 PM
- Start on Back Creek Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear left onto George Cardinet Back Creek Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Back Creek Trail, heading S.
- 1.9 miPass Murchio Gap.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Bald Ridge Trail, heading SE.
- 1.3 miPass Prospectors Gap.
- 50 ftSharp left onto North Peak Road, heading SE.
- 0.7 miBear left, heading E.
- 250 ftSharp left onto Sad Bucket Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left onto North Peak Road, heading NE.
- 50 ftReach North Peak, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Sad Bucket Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto North Peak Road, heading E.
- 0.8 miSharp right onto Bald Ridge Trail, heading SW.
- 1.3 miTurn right onto Back Creek Trail, heading NW.
- 1.9 miContinue straight onto George Cardinet Back Creek Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Back Creek Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~113 min). Leave by 6:03 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Back Creek Trail Trailhead
- Back Creek Trail–George Cardinet Back Creek Trail, 3 sights 3.1 mi · ▲ 513 ft
- Bruce Lee Road–Coulter Pine Trail, 4 sights 3.9 mi · ▲ 1,163 ft
- Back Creek Trail–George Cardinet Back Creek Trail, 5 sights 5.4 mi · ▲ 1,172 ft
- Murchio Gap–Prospectors Gap, 6 sights 11.4 mi · ▲ 4,164 ft
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