Mount Diablo Scenic Roads

[Max Rockatansky]

The second part of the weekend trip was up Mount Diablo which is a 3,800 foot summit in the northern Diablo Range.  The roads ascending Mount Diablo are pretty nice and kind of have a mini Pikes Peak Highway feel:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskx3GYQB

I started out from South Gate Road, ascended Summit Road to Mount Diablo, and went back down on North Gate Road.

[Max Rockatansky]

Always handy when a park brochure gives clear and concise information on when roads were built.  In the case of Mount Diablo the South Gate, North Gate, and Summit Road all date back to 1874 Stage Routes:

http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2017/11/november-bay-trip-part-2-mount-diablo.html

Really a cool series of roadways but really having grades under 7% that far back was a hell of a feat.  I really like the open vistas on all three roads with almost no obstructions to block the view.

[Rothman]

Used to live on the eastern edge of Concord.  At least back then (late 1990s), the change from suburbia to very rural was dramatic as you headed out of Clayton towards Mount Diablo.

[Max Rockatansky]

Used to live on the eastern edge of Concord.  At least back then (late 1990s), the change from suburbia to very rural was dramatic as you headed out of Clayton towards Mount Diablo.

I'm sure if it wasn't gobbled up for State Park land it would just be a haven for wealthy home owners wanting a bedroom view of San Francisco Bay.  Those grades are way too good not really attract people to come to the area.  There was plenty of entry level cyclists making the attempt up Summit Road.