Juniper to Pioneer to Summit Loop

 Rating: Moderate 

Trailhead: Park at Diablo Valley Overlook at Juniper Campground and begin hike at campsite #17 turning left on Juniper Trail. Facilities at Juniper Campground, lower Summit Parking Lot and at the Summit Museum. 

Trail Statistics: A 3.8 mile loop with total climb of 1000 feet beginning at the Juniper Trail. Follow Juniper trail, contouring south along the western slope of the mountain, to the Summit Trail then take Summit Trail toward the summit (you will have to maneuver across a debris parking lot  to locate the continuation of the Juniper Trail leading to the Summit Trail.) Return on Juniper Trail down to the Juniper Campground. Allow about 2-1/2 hours (not counting stops). 

Description: First leg (Juniper - Pioneer)
follows the top of the landslide topography  which rings the main peak, a steep grassy savanna, a showplace for poppies in spring. Second leg to summit penetrates chaparral areas in various stages of post-fire development; fine stands of buckbrush (very aromatic in early spring), and grey pines. Third leg (Juniper Trail) follows dramatic upper reaches of Moses Rock Ridge (Franciscan rock outcrops, dwarf wildflowers), plunges into oak-laurel forest, survivor of many fires.