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Monarch Danaus plexippus Nymphalidae Brushfoots Flies March to December Host Plant Milkweed Nectar Plant California buckeye, Bull thistle Daniel Fitzgerald Kevin Hinsta Underwing

Clark's Sphinx Moth by Dan Sandri Who thought a moth could look so cool! March 20, 2025 Dan Sandri Try to focus on that green blur in front of a blossom, perhaps a Blue Dicks flower (Dichelostemma capitatum ) or vetch (Genus Vicia ). Is it a hummingbird? Perhaps. But it may be a Clark’s Sphinx moth too! This time of the year (from March to June), they are flying about the oak woodland and surrounding grasslands from flower to flower, drinking flower nectar from a variety of flowers. It moves so quickly to another flower, uncurling its long proboscis to reach into flowers. They are not abundant, but I see them nearly every year. Clark’s Sphinx moths have a greenish forewing and an orange hindwing that has a black band along its base. Clark’s Sphinx range from Baja California north to British Columbia, and east to Idaho, Wyoming and Utah, and can be found in Oak woodland foothills. They lay eggs on Elegant Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata ), the sole host plant that their caterpillars feed on. The eggs hatch in about 10 days, and once fully grown, the caterpillars pupate in burrows dug under rocks or other objects. They overwinter there and emerge the following Spring. I hope you see one! Clark's Sphinx Moth BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Hedge-nettle, Wood Mint Scientific Name: Stachys rigida var. rigida Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family) Blooms: May - Aug Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wrentit by Dan Sandri January 1, 2024 Dan Sandri Perhaps a Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata) has been curious enough to have briefly shown itself to you? Wrentits are often heard and less-commonly seen, although if you wait one out, it may pop up for you. The male’s call is a distinctive sound of the chaparral landscape: an accelerating sequence of toots, sounding like a bouncing ball. Another description is it sounds like 3 – 5 pits, followed by an accelerating trill. The female’s call is a series of pits. A Wrentit is about the size of a Song Sparrow, with a yellow eye, round head and short wings, such that it appears plump in appearance. It has long legs and a quite a long tail, which is often held up and away from its body. Its bill is short and slightly curved. Males and females are visually indistinguishable from each other. Wrentits are found primarily in chaparral and brush along the coasts of Oregon, California and Baja California, although it is also in the Sierra foothills. On Mount Diablo, look for wrentits in the chaparral areas and in poison oak, such as along Red Road and Twin and Eagle Peaks. Wrentits don’t usually migrate - a bird may spend its entire adult life in an area of just a couple of acres. They are primarily insect eaters, but will also eat berries, including those of poison oak! Wrentits mate for life, and males and females take turns incubating eggs during the daytime, but females incubate the eggs at night. Wrentits belong to Family Paradoxornithidae - the Parrotbills, and all other birds in the family are found in SE Asia. It is the only member of Genus Chamaea. A rare bird indeed! Bird Guide: https://www.mdia.org/birds-1-1/wrentit Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata ) 2 DSandri.jpeg Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata ) 3 DSandri.jpeg BACK TO LIST

Great Copper Lycaena xanthoides Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies April to October Host Plant Dock Nectar Plant California buckeye, Gum plant Hank Fabian Underwing Hank Fabian Female Hank Fabian Male

Wildflower Mount Diablo Everlasting pea, Perennial pea, Perennial sweet pea Invasive Scientific Name: Lathyrus latifolius Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: May - Aug Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Canyon Gooseberry Scientific Name: Ribes menziesii Family: Grossulariaceae (Gooseberry Family) Blooms: January - March Color: Red-Pink Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Johnnytuck Scientific Name: Triphysaria eriantha Family: Orobanchaceae Blooms: Feb-Apr Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Clayton Quarry By George Allen, Plant Manager Mount Diablo Review, Spring 2004 Article furnished courtesy of RMC Pacific Materials April 1, 2004 Clayton Quarry Two partners, Harrison and Birdwell, developed mining for construction aggregates on Mount Zion in 1947. However, this was not the first mining activity to occur in the area. The discovery of coal in approximately the 1850's brought about the first commercial mining and the subsequent settlement of coal mining towns such as Stewartville, Somersville, and Nortonville. The discovery of coal also led to additional prospecting wherein mercury and copper were discovered. It has been written that a "copper rush" occurred in the 1860's around Mount Diablo. Copper was never found in significant quantity to make commercial mining worthwhile but the Mt. Diablo mine did produce mercury until the 1950's. Gold and silver were also reported in various assays but, again, none was ever found in significant quantity to make commercial mining worthwhile. As a result of the search for the precious metals, mines and/or claims with names such as Great Republic, Superior, Pioneer, Horse Shoe, Rising Sun, San Carlos, Rough and Ready, and numerous others were developed. Today, the diggings of the Mount Zion Copper Company, Summit of Zion, San Pedro, and a few other mines can still be seen. In 1947, Harrison and Birdwell developed the Clayton quarry. The first excavation was behind the current shop building, but it was shortly moved to the east and south because of better rock on that side. In 1954, Harrison and Birdwell sold out to Pacific Coast Aggregates (later named Pacific Cement and Aggregates), who in turn sold out to Lonestar Industries in 1965. In 1988, Lonestar partnered with RMC of London, England. Today the quarry is owned by RMC Pacific Materials, a wholly owned company of RMC Ltd. of England. The quarry is located on Mount Zion and the material mined is diabase, a hard, durable rock used in the construction of roads, buildings, rail lines, dams, and levees. Over 25 different products are made to supply construction needs. The State of California has designated Mount Zion as a mineral reserve to be used to supply the construction needs of Contra Costa County. Of all the rock shipped out of the quarry, typically 72% of it goes to public sector projects. Some of the specific projects we have been involved in are B.A.R.T. (50% of all the rail ballast came from Clayton), Interstate 580 & Interstate 680 freeways, Highway 4, Highway 24, the new Giants Stadium, the Los Vaqueros Dam, Concord Naval Weapons Station, Delta levees, and many other projects. The Clayton Quarry has been in continuous production for over 50 years, and expects to be producing for many years to come. Interesting Facts: 1. Mount Zion was also known as "Pyramid Hill". 2. Elevation of Mount Zion is 1635 Feet. 3. Minerals found in the quarry are malachite, azurite, iron pyrite, magnetite and calcite. Mount Zion Reflection | Mitchell Canyon BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Pestle Parsnip, Barestem biscuitroot Scientific Name: Lomatium nudicale Family: Apiaceae (Parsley-Carrot Family) Blooms: May Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty Steven Beatty Leaf detail

California Poppy by Steve Smith The Inside Scoop March 27, 2025 Dan Fitzgerald The California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica) is our state flower, but you knew that. But did you know that it was named by a German, for an Estonian doctor, sailing on a Russian ship, exploring San Francisco Bay? German botantist and poet Adelbert von Chamisso hopped off the Russian exploration ship Ryurik in 1816 to find the hills of San Francisco gleaming with golden poppies. He collected specimens, named the flower after his friend, Estonian ship's doctor Johann Escholtz and then took those specimens back to Russia. Click here to watch a video of the story told by our own Ken Lavin. BACK TO LIST

There are 3 links to make within this text. 8 Popular Hikes These 8 hikes are some of the most popular in the park and provide glimpses of Mount Diablo's many treasures. They span a range of lengths and difficulty levels to suit people of all abilities. If you'd like more information about hiking on Mount Diablo, the Trail Map of Mount Diablo State Park and the Hiker's Guide to Mount Diablo State Park are now available at the MDIA Online Store. The trail map is also available at the North Gate and South Gate Entrance Stations, the Summit Visitor Center, and the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Also, be sure you know how to read trail signs on Mount Diablo . 3 cups Blueberries 3 cups Flour 1½ cups Butter These 8 hikes are some of the most popular in the park and provide glimpses of Mount Diablo's many treasures. They span a range of lengths and difficulty levels to suit people of all abilities. If you'd like more information about hiking on Mount Diablo, the Trail Map of Mount Diablo State Park and the Hiker's Guide to Mount Diablo State Park are now available at the MDIA Online Store. The trail map is also available at the North Gate and South Gate Entrance Stations, the Summit Visitor Center, and the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Also, be sure you know how to read trail signs on Mount Diablo . Trailhead Key Map Wall Point - Pine Canyon TRAILHEAD KEY See map, above DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 1 Moderate 6 miles Wall Point - Pine Canyon Loop 1 RATING: Moderate TRAILHEAD: Macedo Ranch Staging Area TRAIL STATISTICS: 6-mile loop with about a 1,400-foot elevation gain. Follow the Wall Point Road up Pine Ridge. Turn left (north) on Secret Trail to Barbecue Terrace Road. Descend into Pine Canyon to Stage Road which intersects with Dusty Road returning to Wall Point Road; east of the trailhead. DESCRIPTION: This loop, featuring a variety of habitats including chaparral, riparian, foothill woodland and grassland, is a favorite with birders and botanists. East of Wall Point before reaching Secret Trail, you will be walking over vertical beds of sandstone of Eocene Age (45 million years old). TRAILHEAD KEY See map, above DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 2 Strenuous 7 miles Mitchell Canyon - Back Creek Loop 2 RATING: Strenuous TRAILHEAD: Mitchell Canyon TRAIL STATISTICS: 7-mile hike with a 1,700-foot elevation gain. Follow Mitchell Canyon trail to Deer Flat, turn left (east) at the junction, and continue steeply up Meridian Ridge Road to Murchio Gap. At Murchio Gap, descend on Back Creek Trail, to Bruce Lee Road, left on Coulter Pine Trail, and follow back toward the trailhead. DESCRIPTION: Just about everything the mountain park has to offer: lush wildflower-strewn meadows, narrow canyons with characteristic streamside vegetation, magnificent groves of Coulter pines, some of the greatest birding areas, rugged mountain scenery, and endless sun-swept panoramas. An alternate return would be along the Eagle Peak Trail which traverses along the top of a high ridge line. Mitchell Canyon Back Creek Loop Mitchell Canyon Nature Trail TRAILHEAD KEY See map, above DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 2 Easy 4 miles Mitchell Canyon Nature Trail 3 RATING: Easy TRAILHEAD: Mitchell Canyon TRAIL STATISTICS: About 4-mile hike with a 500-foot elevation gain. This walk follows the Mitchell Canyon - Back Creek Loop (above) for the first two miles where the trail begins climbing by switchback up to Deer Flat. At the point where the climb begins, turn and retrace your walk. DESCRIPTION: This route follows Mitchell Creek and is extremely popular in the spring and early summer when wildflowers are abundant. There are ten identified stops following the Mitchell Canyon Trail Guide that can be obtained at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. The route begins within an oak savanna woodland and then enters a riparian community. The shaded north exposures are alive with wildflowers in the spring. Watch for the California quail and butterflies as well. You may alter a portion of your return by following the Globe Lily Trail, which parallels Mitchell Canyon Road to the west between Red Road and Black Point Trail, and offers a modest elevation gain and provides wider vistas. TRAILHEAD KEY See map, above DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 2 Moderate 8 miles Falls Trail Loop 4 RATING: Moderate TRAILHEAD: End of paved part of Mitchell Canyon Road, north entrance to park, near the town of Clayton. Park in staging area (water and toilets). $6 parking fee. TRAIL STATISTICS: 8 mile hike with a 1,700 foot elevation gain. From the trailhead, walk a short distance and turn left on Oak Road, left to stay on Oak Road, and then right on Murchio Road. Turn right on Donner Canyon Road up to a left on Cardinet Oaks Road to the Falls Trail returning loop back via Middle Trail, briefly right on Meridian Ridge Road, then back left down Donner Canyon Road. In winter and early spring, roads at lower elevations may be muddy. DESCRIPTION: In winter (rainy season) and throughout spring, the Falls Trail offers fine views of one of the mountain's most spectacular attractions - several waterfalls up to 100 feet high. Spring also brings astounding displays of wildflowers. The colorful rock formations are worth the trip any time. The waterfalls dry up during summer and fall before the winter rains. Kindly refrain from scrambling to the falls. It is dangerous and damages the landscape. Falls Trail Loop Mary Bowerman Trail TRAILHEAD KEY See map, above DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 5 Moderate 4 miles Juniper/Pioneer/Summit Loop 6 RATING: Moderate TRAILHEAD: Park at Diablo Valley Overlook at Juniper Campground TRAIL STATISTICS: A 4-mile loop with a total climb of 1,000 feet. Walk to the far end of the campground loop road and find the trailhead gate opposite the restrooms. Make an immediate sharp left on Juniper Trail. Follow the Juniper Trail as it follows the contours south along the western slope of the mountain, to the Summit Trail. Turn left crossing Summit Road, straight onto Utility Road, and find Summit Trail near the utility enclosure. Left after the water tower to stay on Summit Trail past the Old Pioneer Horse Camp, toward the Summit. Left at the Lower Summit parking lot, find Juniper Trail at the far end, 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 an oak-laurel forest, a survivor of many fires. TRAILHEAD KEY See map, above DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 4 Easy <1 mile Mary Bowerman Trail 5 RATING: Easy TRAILHEAD: Access on north side of road beside small picnic site where Summit Road splits into two one-way routes just past exit to Lower Summit Parking Lot. Drinking water and toilets at lower summit parking lot. TRAIL STATISTICS: Less than a one mile flat loop trail encircling the summit of the mountain. Allow half hour without stops. The first one third is paved and is ADA accessible up to the Ransome Point overlook. DESCRIPTION: This easy trail offers spectacular views as well as a journey through time. Discover how nature has created and altered this peak. There are 14 stops, following the Mary Bowerman Trail Guide (PDF) which can be obtained at the Summit Visitor Center or picked up at the trailhead. This will guide you through the diverse flora, fauna, geology and weather which embraces Mt. Diablo's summit. You will be introduced to chamise, yerba santa, California native juniper, scrub oak and poison oak. Being careful not to step on the sagebrush lizard as you skirt the summit, you'll come across Devil's Pulpit, a great red-colored monolith, made of chert. Greenstone, an altered submarine volcanic rock laid down on the ocean floor, over 100 million years ago, is the most common rock exposed on the summit of the mountain. Banded red chert, blocky greywacke sandstone and patches of shale are also present along the route. Juniper-Pioneer-Summit Loop Madrone Canyon Loop TRAILHEAD KEY See map, above DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 6 Moderate 3 miles Madrone Canyon Loop 7 RATING: Moderate TRAILHEAD: Curry Point on South Gate Road TRAIL STATISTICS: 3 miles and a 500 foot elevation gain. At Curry Point follow the fire road bearing right on Knobcone Point Road, at the junction of the Devil’s Slide Trail turn right (south). Follow Devil’s Slide Trail into the canyon to the junction with the Madrone Canyon Trail. Turn right on the Madrone Canyon Trail and ascend to Rock City. Walk along Summit Road right (north) through Rock City and pick up the Summit Trail, at the north end of Rock City on the opposite side of the road, which takes you to the Camp Force Trail to Curry Point. DESCRIPTION: This loop is attractive at any time of the year, but perhaps at its best in the fall, with colorful leafy carpets under towering sycamore trees, and bright orange-barked madrones in the narrow canyons. It is also attractive in late winter when the creek flows with deep pools and miniature waterfalls. The Trail Through Time TRAILHEAD KEY See map DIFFICULTY DISTANCE Various Various 6 miles The Trail Through Time - A Geology Journey 8 RATING: Depends on the length TRAILHEAD: Any of several parking areas along South Gate Road or Summit Road. 6 miles and a 2800 foot elevation gain over the entire path. TRAIL STATISTICS: DESCRIPTION: Like chapters in a book, the rocks of Mount Diablo tell a story of previous landscapes, climates, and life forms as well as epic journeys of tectonic plates. Trail Through Time panels are placed along the trail to help you read the geologic story written in the rocks as you travel through 180 million years of geologic time. Interspersed with the geologic panels are panels on history, geography, and ecology.