Mount Diablo Wildflowers

Our saunter will follow in the footsteps of 19th-century botanic explorer David Douglas. As we head up Mitchell Canyon, we'll search for many of the flowers he collected in 1831, including the endemic Mount Diablo Globe Lily. We'll also describe the traditional uses and folklore associated with the flowers, shrubs, and trees we encounter on our hike.

In recent years, episodes of drought and flooding have significantly impacted Mount Diablo State Park and surrounding communities. Greenbelt Alliance is working to prepare the Bay Area for climate change impacts and build resilience that centers people and nature. Read about our Strategic Plan here.

Photo: Judy Adler

TOTAL DISTANCE

This is a moderate 4-mile round-trip hike with a couple hundred feet of elevation change. An easier 2-mile round-trip hike is also available.

LEADERS

Alan Siegel and Ken Lavin

WEATHER POLICY

Rain cancels

COST

$6 per vehicle park entrance fee ($5 for seniors). Pay at the entrance gate.

WHERE TO MEET

We'll assemble at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Restrooms are nearby.

NOTES

Bring snacks and water. Dress in layers and wear good hiking shoes. Bring poles if you normally use them. If you have any questions about this outing, email [email protected]

Ken Lavin is Outings Coordinator for Greenbelt Alliance. Read about Greenbelt Alliance staff here.

Alan Siegel has hiked the East Bay hills almost daily since the early 1970's, trying to learn every plant and its edible, medicinal, and cultural uses, and to discover and use native plants that thrive in gardens that are frequently visited by deer. Alan is a volunteer docent at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden (EBRPD) in Tilden Park (www.nativeplants.org) where he enjoys meals of stinging nettles washed down with Yerba Buena tea. As a psychologist, Alan is interested in how cultures discovered the uses of plants and enjoys sharing stories of how diverse peoples use plants in unique ways. Alan has led native plant and nature awareness education walks for adults and children for 45 years.

Host or Publisher Greenbelt Alliance