Explore Snakes, Butterflies and Wildflowers on Mount Diablo in May

Photo: Lupine on Mount Diablo by Mike Woodring.

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News from the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association:

Meet the snakes, butterflies and wildflowers that live on Walnut Creek’s majestic “Devil Mountain” this May with the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association’s (MDIA) hikes and events.

Twin Peaks Wildflower Hike

Sunday, May 3, 1 to 5 p.m.

Join hike leaders Jake Van Akkeren and Leslie Bartholic on this 4.5 mile hike winding past Mitchell Rock through a lovely wildflower garden, then just below Twin Peaks with outstanding views of Back Creek Canyon, and up to North Peak and Mount Diablo’s summit. Explore the hills framing Riggs Canyon in the southeastern reaches of Mount Diablo State Park. After following the spiny ridge separating Back Creek and Mitchell Canyons for a short bit, the hike descends to the Eagle Peak Trail and lowlands below. From there, hike the Coulter Pine Trail back to the trailhead. Bring, liquids, dress in layers, be prepared for poison oak and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Steady rain or severe winds cancel. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead; $6/vehicle. No reservations required. Details atwww.mdia.org.

Mother’s Day Mount Olympia Hike

Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Skip Mother’s Day brunch and take Mom on a challenging hike with spectacular views on her special day! Join hike leaders Jake Van Akkeren and Leslie Bartholic on this 9 mile hike with a 3,000 elevation gain through Back and Donner Canyons before summiting Mount Olympia for great views; steep in sections. Bring lunch, liquids, dress in layers, be prepared for poison oak and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Rain or severe winds cancel. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead; $6/vehicle. No reservation required. Details atwww.mdia.org.

Butterfly Walk

Saturday, May 16, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

David Morris guides a walk up Mitchell Canyon Road about one-mile to Red Road looking for butterflies and flowers, returning via Globe Lily Trail. With luck, walkers should see 8 to 12 different types of butterflies, including common ringlet, mylitta crescent, various blues, whites, and swallowtails. Bring lunch, liquids, binoculars, dress in layers and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Rain or severe winds cancel cancels. Meet at Mitchell Canyon parking lot and trailhead; $6/vehicle. No reservations required. Details at www.mdia.org.

Snakes Alive!

Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join Naturalist Michael Marchiano at Mount Diablo’s Summit Visitor Center in the audio room to meet Mount Diablo’s snakes, including the only venomous snake in Northern California, the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. $10/vehicle park entry fee. No reservations required. Details at www.mdia.org.

Oak Knoll & Summit Loop Hike

Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Join hike leaders Jake Van Akkeren and Leslie Bartholic on this 6.5 mile hike from the Juniper Campground trailhead to the interpretive center. Then circle the mountaintop on the Mary Bowerman Trail before descending to Oak Knoll and back to Juniper. Much of the route will pass through areas that burned in the 2013 Morgan Fire. Bring lunch, liquids, dress in layers, be prepared for poison oak and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Steady rain or severe winds cancel. Meet at Diablo Valley Overlook at Juniper Campground (large parking lot off Summit Road); $10/vehicle. No reservations required. Details atwww.mdia.org.