Geology: Our understanding of the geological history of the rocks and structure of Mount Diablo has undergone major changes during the past 30 years, and even now geologists are still trying to unravel the complicated history of the mountain. This complex history is not unique to the mountain, but to our region as a whole, since Mount Diablo has been caught up in the processes that have shaped the Coast Ranges over the last several million years. Paleontology: Mount Diablo State Park contains geological formations rich in fossil resources. Marine mollusks of Miocene age are abundant along the southern flank of the mountain. Fossil plant material is also common in this area. Along the southern boundary, 9 million year old river deposits have yielded a large number of vertebrate fossil fragments including sabre-tooth cats, mastodons, horses, camels, and llamas. Photo: Devil's Pulpit is an erosion-resistant block of chert standing along Mary Bowerman Trail near the summit of Mount Diablo | Ray Mengel __Mount Diablo Guide 3 cups Blueberries 3 cups Flour 1½ cups Butter Geology: Our understanding of the geological history of the rocks and structure of Mount Diablo has undergone major changes during the past 30 years, and even now geologists are still trying to unravel the complicated history of the mountain. This complex history is not unique to the mountain, but to our region as a whole, since Mount Diablo has been caught up in the processes that have shaped the Coast Ranges over the last several million years. Paleontology: Mount Diablo State Park contains geological formations rich in fossil resources. Marine mollusks of Miocene age are abundant along the southern flank of the mountain. Fossil plant material is also common in this area. Along the southern boundary, 9 million year old river deposits have yielded a large number of vertebrate fossil fragments including sabre-tooth cats, mastodons, horses, camels, and llamas. Photo: Devil's Pulpit is an erosion-resistant block of chert standing along Mary Bowerman Trail near the summit of Mount Diablo | Ray Mengel __Mount Diablo Guide Mount Diablo Geology Featured Articles Geologic History Guide to Mount Diablo Geology Geology FAQ Geology Guides & Maps Geologic Guide to Mount Diablo State Park Geology Road Map Trail Through Time Geology Map of Mount Diablo Geologic Guide to the Falls Trail Loop Mining Clayton Quarry Cowell Cement Industry Gold, Silver, and Copper Mines of Mount Diablo Quicksilver at Mount Diablo ___ Roi Peers

Learn more about California native plants and where to obtain them. Native Plant Garden - Additional Resources General Information California Native Plant Society California Native Plant Society, East Bay Chapter Plant Selection For Your Area California Native Plant Society Calscape identifies plants that are suited to very specific areas. Watersmart Gardener Planting Guide (EBMUD) offers a simple landscaping layout with suggested plants that can be adapted to your needs. A UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden California Native Planting Plan offers a template for a simple layout that includes plant selection. Where To Get California Native Plants If you know what you want, your local nursery most likely will be able to order it for you. A great local resource is Native Here Nursery . Las Pilitas Nursery offers online ordering and carries many native plants from all parts of California. Books California Native Plants for the Garden by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien Plants and Landscapes for Summer-dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region edited by Nora Harlow and published by the East Bay Municipal Utility District Mariposa Lily

For the Press Below are some materials for media groups to use in promotion of the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and the campaign to build a new Education Center at Mitchell Canyon. Images Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Other Resources Mitchell Canyon Education Center Flyer MDIA News and Press Releases Testimonials

Mount Diablo activities, MDIA assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mount Diablo State Park. MDIA is dedicated to preserving the wonders of Mount Diablo State Park through interpretation, education, and outreach to all communities. 1/6 Our Fundraising Campaign is underway! Donate Today! What's Happening Help us Build a New Education Center Check Our Upcoming Events Educators: Help your students Learn from nature See Park Information Check out What's Blooming Now Mount Diablo eNewsletter , Aug 2026 Camp Hike Bike Horseback Discover Wildflowers Points of Interest Birds Butterflies Peregrine Falcons Take a Multimedia Tour Audible Mount Diablo provides an audiovisual collection of the sights and sounds of Mount Diablo State Park. “We acknowledge that Mount Diablo is the ancestral home, since time immemorial, of the Wilton Rancheria, Bay Miwok, Confederated Villages of Lisjan, Northern Valley Yokuts, Muwekma, and Ohlone peoples.” Mount Diablo Interpretive Association Mission Statement Preservation Through Education Mount Diablo Interpretive Association is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mount Dia blo State Park. MDIA is dedicated to preserving the wonders of Mount Diablo State Park through interpretation, education, and outreach to all communities. More About Us Get Involved MDIA is always looking for dedicated volunteers to lead or help with various programs, outreach, and operations. Shop Check out our clothing, books, maps, and more. Every purchase supports MDIA's programs and activities. Subscribe Sign up for MDIA's e-newsletter for updates about park events and opportunities to get involved. Donate Make a difference and donate to MDIA. Your gift can support the Education Center in Mitchell Canyon or MDIA operations.

The Birds of Mount Diablo's Chaparral By Kevin Hintsa Chaparral refers to a type of natural habitat where the rocky soil supports a community of nearly impenetrable shrubs. Often chaparral is found on either south or west-facing slopes, locally dominated by such plants as Chamise (especially in older sections), four species of manzanita, Black Sage, Buck Brush, Jim Brush, and California Sagebrush. To the casual birder, the chaparral poses a difficult challenge to even get a glimpse of its skulking birdlife. Mount Diablo’s extensive and relatively easy accessible chaparral provides an unequaled opportunity for birdwatchers to explore its mysteries.The feathered denizens of the chaparral are notorious for being shy and can be difficult to view. Observers should take advantage of chaparral birds using conspicuous singing perches and familiarize themselves with their vocalizations. Sometimes an individual shrub (such as Toyon) can be loaded with ripe berries and will attract a large variety of birds. Many of the chaparral birds are actually very curious and can be easily attracted by a practice sometimes known as "squeaking". This is a series of assorted noises made by the birdwatcher, the principle one being a slurred call that resembles the admonishment "shhh". Note though that birds are easily frightened by sudden movements. Also, I have noticed that birds in breeding season are more easily disturbed when I wear white rather than by other colors. Extensive chaparral is located along Wall Ridge (accessible from either Rock City or Macedo Ranch) and along Knobcone Point trail (access from Curry Point). I prefer the Wall Ridge area due to recent fires. A very productive area along Summit Road is the section from the Pines Picnic Area to Pioneer Horse Camp. One of my favorite sites is Muir Picnic Area, a productive area nearly year round. White Canyon is often visited by birders, though it has rather dense chaparral and it can be difficult to view chaparral birds here. Anna's Hummingbird | Dave Furseth Spotted Towhee | Dave Furseth Breeding birds species in the chaparral include: California Quail (year round) Anna’s Hummingbird (year round) Western Scrub-Jay (year round) Bushtit (year round) Canyon Wren (year round where boulders or caves are present) Bewick’s Wren (year round) Wrentit (year round) California Thrasher (year round) Spotted Towhee (year round) California Towhee (year round) Rufous-crowned Sparrow (year round) Sage Sparrow (year round) Common Poorwill (year round, but mostly April to August, nocturnal) Ash-throated Flycatcher (April to September, needs at least a few trees) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (mostly March to October) Orange-crowned Warbler (mostly February to September) Lazuli Bunting (April to September) Black-chinned Sparrow (mostly late April to June) In winter, look for the permanent residents plus: Sharp-shinned Hawk (commonly hunts over chaparral) Townsend’s Solitaire (rare) Hermit Thrush American Robin (mainly around Toyon bushes) Varied Thrush (uncommon) Fox Sparrow (often the most abundant species) Golden-crowned Sparrow (common) Dark-eyed Junco (a permanent resident, but more common here in the winter) Purple Finch During migration also look for: Calliope Hummingbird (rare) Rufous Hummingbird Yellow Warbler Townsend’s Warbler Hermit Warbler (mostly in May) Lawrence’s Goldfinch (nearly year round, but mostly seen in spring) California Quail | Dave Furseth Chaparral birds are not uniformly distributed, with many species showing marked preferences for certain microhabitats. Sage and Black-chinned Sparrow strongly prefer burned-over Chamise or where there are gaps in the Chamise. Rufous-crowned Sparrow usually prefers California Sagebrush or Poison Oak clumps. Old stands of pure Chamise or pure stands of Coyote Brush usually have the least interesting birdlife. Burned areas usually become very productive about 3 years after a fire. No matter what the season or the location, chaparral birding can be quite interesting with time and patience.

See map, below TRAILHEAD KEY DIFFICULTY DISTANCE 4 Easy/Peasy <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. Less than a one mile flat loop trail encircling TRAIL STATISTICS: 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.

Mount Diablo Intreprative Association Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. What's Happening Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Donate to Fundraising Campaign Education Center Click to Donate May 2026, eNewsletter Click to Download Park Information Click to View Park Brochure Click to Download Upcoming Events Click to View What's Blooming Click to View Hiking Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Learn More 50 Wildflower Species 50 Wildflower Species 50 Wildflower Species 50 Wildflower Species Discover Native Garden Astronomy Wildlife Plants Geology Camping Juniper Ground Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Live Oak Ground Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Mt. Diablo Summit Tower Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Plan Your Visit Explore Explore Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Learn Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Learn Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Plan Your Visit Explore Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Explore Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Learn Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Learn Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this. Preservation Through Education. Mount Diablo Interpretive Association is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mount Diablo State Park. MDIA is dedicated to preserving the wonders of Mount Diablo State Park through interpretation, education, and outreach to all communities. Donate Select this paragraph to add your own text. Donate Donate Select this paragraph to add your own text. Donate Donate Select this paragraph to add your own text. Donate Donate Select this paragraph to add your own text. Donate About Resources Get Involved & Support History of Mount Diablo Our Story News & Newsletters Board of Directors Contact Us Annual Report Audio & Video Tour Guides Webinar Recordings Articles Library Community Partner Resources Learning Activities & Handouts Brochures Become a Member Volunteer Make a Donation Ways to Give Education Center Support Shop Subscribe (E-Newsletter) © Mount Diablo Interpretive Association Policies

Become a Member Join us! MDIA counts on your support to provide docents for the visitor centers, sponsor the Junior Ranger program, guide hikes, and provide interpretive material and publications to park visitors. In addition, MDIA member volunteers spend countless hours each year working side by side with park staff to insure that visitors continue to enjoy Mount Diablo State Park to its fullest . Mount Diablo In terpretive Association is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting Mount Diablo State Park. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and our Tax ID# is 23-7444529. All Net Proceeds from dues, donations, and sales of publications directly support Mount Diablo State Park. Dues and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law.

Mount Diablo Volunteer Trail Work Welcome to the Mount Diablo Volunteer Trail Crew information page! The crew meets on the second Saturday of each month, from 8:30 AM to approximately 2:30 PM for regular trail maintenance and special projects, such as rerouting trails and finding solutions to prevent erosion. It would be impossible for the Park to provide this level of trail maintenance without the dedication of the Trail Crew volunteers, some of whom have been volunteering for ten or more years. There is a job suited for everyone, from light pruning to major rock moving projects. As an added bonus, the Trail Crew volunteers have a great time working together and many friendships have developed over time. Prior to joining the Trail Crew, volunteers must complete the VIP (Volunteers in the Park) orientation. There is no expectation for a commitment in terms of the number of days or hours worked. Each work day presents a new challenge and gives volunteers a chance to visit all parts of the mountain and become familiar with its history and the amazing variety of flora and fauna. Other opportunities to volunteer for trail maintenance include attending the annual Earth Day or Trail Day projects in the spring, and the National Public Lands Day in the fall. If you are interested in joining the Trail Crew and/or would like to get placed on the email list for information on scheduled workdays, please contact VIPPMountDiablo@parks.ca.gov.

General Regulations Park Office Telephone: 926-837-2525 All features of the park are protected! Do not remove or disturb plants, animals, or geological features. Donner Canyon Road The use of drones is prohibited in the Park. Alcoholic Beverages All Alcoholic Beverages Prohibited in Park State laws regarding alcoholic beverages are strictly enforced. Vehicles / Bicycles Speed limit : 15-25 mph on park roads; 15 mph in campgrounds or picnic areas. Off road use prohibited. All vehicles must stay on pavement and are prohibited on trails and fire roads. Bicycles are allowed only on paved roads and designated trails. Check at ranger station for current regulations. Park closures occur during periods of very high and extreme fire danger. The closures apply to bicyclists. Helmets are required on juveniles. All riders are encouraged to use helmets. Helmets save lives and prevent serious injuries. For more information on biking, see MDIA's Biking page. Gravity Propelled Devices Skateboards, Rollerskates, Rollerblades and other Gravity Propelled Devices are prohibited. Dogs Dogs must be in tent or vehicle at night, must be on leash at all times when out of your car, and must stay in developed areas only . Dogs are not allowed on trails or fire roads. Camping Maximum of 8 persons and 2 vehicles per campsite in the Juniper, Junction, and Live Oak campgrounds. Use designated campsites only. Juveniles (under 18) must have written permission from parents. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. No electric generators from 8 pm to 10 am. For more information on camping, see MDIA's Camping page. Reservations Campground reservations may be needed. All unreserved sites are available on a first come, first served basis. The sites will rarely fill up except under exceptional weather conditions and on occasional weekends and holidays. For more information on camping, see MDIA's Camping page. Group Picnics For reservations and more information, call the park in advance at 925-837-6129 x 4. Fires Restrictions in effect during Fire Season -- check with Ranger. Must be in stoves or barbecues provided -- no ground fires. Firewood gathering prohibited. Peace and Quiet Noise must not carry beyond your immediate camp or picnic site. Telephones There are no public telephones in the park. In emergencies, dial 911 on a cell phone or contact a ranger or docent at one of the entrance stations, Summit Visitor Center, or Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center when open. Fireworks Fireworks are prohibited. Firearms / Airguns Firearms / Airguns are prohibited. NO HUNTING.

Make a gift of stock Making a Gift of Stock Reasons to Consider Donating Appreciated Stocks Gifting stock is a simple and powerful way to support MDIA and the new Education Center at Mitchell Canyon. It also offers you a number of financial benefits * You can easily donate appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds The total value of the stock upon transfer is tax-deductible There is no obligation to pay any capital gains taxes on the appreciation *N ot e: Individual situations vary so donors should consult their advisor s You can make a gift in 2 steps: St ep 1. Contact Mike Brandy @MDIA: Provide the following information so we can anticipate and acknowledge your gift: Name of d onor, address, and phone number Name of stock or mutual fund, and number of shares to be donated Anticipated date of transfer Restrictions on the gift, if any email: brandymike@gmail.com Phone: 925.927.7222 Step 2. Provide your stockbroker with the following information to insure your gift of stock is delivered to our MDIA account Mount Diablo Interpr etive Association National Financial Services Account name: Mount Diablo Interpretive Association Account #:0BP804269 DTC#: 0226 Broker Attn Steve Baumhoff 350 California Street, 18th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: 415 705 7187 steven.baumhoff@unionbank.com

Wildlife is abundant on Mount Diablo. Coastal black-tailed deer, raccoons, California ground squirrels, eastern fox squirrels, and gray foxes are often seen. Skunks, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers, coyotes, rabbits, hares and many other animals call the mountain home as well. Mount Diablo is known to harbor red-legged frogs, tarantulas, and the rare Alameda whipsnake as well as its cousin, the northern rattlesnake. Bringing a camera? Take the Photographer's Pledge and read these Guidelines 3 cups Blueberries 3 cups Flour 1½ cups Butter Wildlife is abundant on Mount Diablo. Coastal black-tailed deer, raccoons, California ground squirrels, eastern fox squirrels, and gray foxes are often seen. Skunks, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers, coyotes, rabbits, hares and many other animals call the mountain home as well. Mount Diablo is known to harbor red-legged frogs, tarantulas, and the rare Alameda whipsnake as well as its cousin, the northern rattlesnake. Bringing a camera? Take the Photographer's Pledge and read these Guidelines Wildlife of Mount Diablo State Park & Vicinity Featured Articles and Resources Mammals Common Mammals of Mount Diablo (PDF) Living with Coyotes Coyote and Quail Mammals of Mount Diablo Mountain Lions Birds Bird Identification Guide Intro to Birding Red-Tailed Hawk Birds of Chaparral Riparian Birds Woodland Birds Reptiles Blainville's Horned Lizard The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Alameda Whipsnake Amphibians California Red Legged Frog Mount Diablo Western Toad California Tiger Salamander Tarantulas and Insects Tarantulas: The Gentle Giants of Mount Diablo Tarantulas on Mount Diablo Tarantula Time Warm Fuzzy Spiders Ticks and Lyme Disease Mount Diablo Butterfly Guide Mount Diablo Bee Guide Day Flying Moths at Mount Diablo 2015 Dragonflies Ladybug Time Mount Diablo Ant Species (pdf) per Dr. Philip Ward, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Mike Woodring California Red Legged Frog | Michael Marchiano Tarantula | Ken Lavin Other Myths of Mount Diablo's "Deadly Big Four"