As Fall descends upon us and cooler temperatures begin to prevail many of us return to regularly hiking the mountain. This is a time for fall foliage (namely Poison Oak), fall and winter berries, occasional rains and of course our beloved Tarantulas. This month's hike takes us on a tour of Donner Canyon (and some Mitchell and Back Canyons) where all these sights and more await you. This hike is 6-miles and 1,150 feet of climbing.

Starting at Mitchell Canyon, head up the canyon to your first left on Oak Road. This is your first steep climb, but it is brief, and the views of the mountain await you. Continue straight onto the single-track Coulter Pine trail. Notice the namesake pine trees off to your right. (Note the needles on the Coulter and how they differ from the Ghost Pine—while the ghost has droopy relaxed needles, the Coulter's are erect like a toilet brush.) Continue to a right on Bruce Lee Road and cross Back Creek to a right on Back Creek Trail.

At the first intersection, turn left up Tickwood Trail. Notice one of our largest stands of Poison Oak in its fall glory off to your right. Continue winding up and down the beautiful single-track through woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral until you reach the terminus at Donner Canyon Road. Turn right and then left about 200 yards up onto Donner Trail. Here you will have a lovely descent to Donner Creek through thick chaparral…this is a good place to see Tarantulas in the early morning or late afternoon. Turn left and follow the creek on Hetherington Trail. Just before the creek crossing, turn right and climb Bruce Lee Spring Trail. As you ascend the woodlands, be sure to turn around for a beautiful view of the Summit and North Peak.

As the trail starts to level out, bear left at the intersection to remain on Bruce Lee Springs, winding through a dense stand of aromatic chaparral. At trail’s end, turn left on Clayton Oaks Road. You’ll spend the next mile and a half winding up and down through the grasslands where you are likely to spot deer and maybe a snake or two. As you approach Donner Canyon, you’ll make a right then a quick left onto Murchio Road. At the intersection at the top of the hill turn right onto Bruce Lee Road. Notice this area’s recovery following last May’s controlled burn. Continue down around Coulter Pond and watch for wildlife until you continue to the end and turn left on Watertower Road. Make a quick right on Bruce Lee Trail and head down the single track. Just to the left of the big iron gate is a lovely single track, Terrace Trail which will bring you back amongst the Oaks and offer views of the Mitchell Canyon entrance and Native Plant Garden before you make a pair of right turns to return on Mitchell Canyon Road.

Note: You’ve completed the trifecta of Bruce Lee Trail, Bruce Lee Road and Bruce Lee Spring Trail. These were named not after the legendary martial artist but after the past president of the Concord Mount Diablo Trail Ride Association, the equestrian association that sold 350 acres to Mount Diablo State Park in the 1960’s, much of which you will have explored on this hike.