Power through the heat for fantastic hike
Hiking in late summer means dry creek beds, ultra-hot days and leg-prickling bushes. But none of that matters, because you have to pay the price if you want to see the goods.
Black Diamond Mines is a local jewel with easy access and a ghost town feel – literally. Jump on Stewartsville Trail just past the parking lot, where shade is hard to come by. An immediate detour up Pittsburg Mine Trail and onto Chaparral Loop made a sizzling day a bit cooler.
Chaparral Loop (one of my favorites) is an uphill blast in the form of a dry creek bed, peppered with a maze of sandstone, manzanita and trees aplenty. This section of trail is some of your only shade, so take advantage.
Trail conditions are ever-changing, and most of this hike requires careful footing through rock, roots, dirt and sand as you top out at Ridge Trail Junction. Head due east, reaching one of the higher elevations found on this loop with views of Rose Hill Cemetery and Delta waterways as the backdrop.
Within minutes, you are treated to equally impressive views of Mount Diablo and the surrounding foothills. This marks a good place to stop, rest and enjoy Black Diamond.
Stay on Ridge Trail as it meanders through a shady line of trees and up and over a series of grassy hilltops. Feeling adventurous – take a side trip up the single-track to the very top.
Just past a lonely pond, dive down Corcoran Mine Trail and prepare to descend – very quickly. This is a much less visited part of the park, so much that it left me wondering if I were indeed alone. But then I saw a mountain biker.
Corcoran was a trip highlight with excellent trail routing, rock outcroppings in all directions and views of the Stewartsville Townsite area far below. The final elevator-style drop to the valley revealed deer, coyotes, rabbits and a light afternoon breeze.
Put it on cruise control as you pick up Stewartsville Trail, a flat and dusty fire road that offered some easy hiking. I was pushing the 1.5-hour mark and my legs were feeling it, so a quick detour up Miners Trail put the exclamation point on finishing strong. This trail heads straight up, is super exposed and follows a haphazard routing, but I absolutely loved it – a not to miss section of trail with a lot of mining history.
Kick your butt up the final stretch of trail, top out again and make your way back down to the parking area via Stewartsville Trail. I performed this hike in a figure 8 loop fashion, but Black Diamond offers so many trails and routes, you could shorten or lengthen this hike with ease. Signage in this park is excellent. If you are needed some fresh air and solitude, look no further.
Ridge Trail Loop
Where: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
What: Stewartsville Tr.> Pittsburg Mine Tr.> Chaparral Loop Tr.> Ridge Tr.> Corcoran Mine Tr.> Miners Tr.> Stewartsville Tr.
Distance: 5.7 miles
Duration: 2.25 hours
Level: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,368 feet
Getting there: Trailhead at end of Somersville Road, Antioch. Restrooms, maps and water. Fees apply when kiosk is open.
Contact Kevin Parker with comments or questions by email at LukeHollywood@gmail.com