Save Mount Diablo Opens Two Miles of New Trails to the Public

knobcone point trail
Photo by Sean Burke

Save Mount Diablo is proud to announce that we’re officially opening 1.7 miles of publicly accessible trails through the upper portion of Curry Canyon Ranch, connecting more trails to Knobcone Point Road.

The new trails will be opened to the public starting on Wednesday, November 27th.

Now that these new trails are completed, Save Mount Diablo has opened (or will open by the end of this month) a total of more than seven miles of trails in the past three years.

map of the new trails opened in curry canyon ranch

People can enjoy 3.17 miles at our signature Curry Canyon Ranch property and more than four miles at our Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve.

In 2023, we unveiled the long-anticipated  trail connection through Mount Diablo’s Knobcone Point area, connecting Balancing Rock to Riggs Canyon. It was the first time in nearly a century that this area was legally open to the public.

knobcone point trail

View of Mount Diablo in the spring from the Knobcone Point Trail. Photo by Sean Burke

Directly connected to Mount Diablo State Park, these trails open up several new loops for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians to get out and explore.

They can now experience the incredible solitude, expansive vistas, and potential for wildlife encounters that can only be found on the southeastern side of the mountain.

curry canyon ranch

View from the Knobcone Point Trail. Photo by Sean Burke

There are multiple loops available to build off of the original trail system that we opened up in March of 2023.  One could travel from Curry Point to Oyster Point, back up Riggs Canyon, and through the Knobcone Point area and down to Curry Canyon Road.

Another option could be to travel from Curry Point to Knobcone Point, following Knobcone Point Trail to Curry Canyon Road and back to Curry Point, about 7.5 miles and 1,300 feet of elevation gain.

A third option is to start at Curry Point, travel to Knobcone Point, follow Knobcone Point Trail to Curry Cave Trail, go along Grizzly Bear Road, drop into Curry Canyon, and journey on up the road back to Curry Point.

This route is a 6-mile loop, with 1,300 feet of elevation gain.

Visitors now also have the option to travel from Curry Point to Finley Road and back via several long, challenging, and visually stunning loops.

new gate and signs at knobcone point trail

New gates and signs along the trail that will be opened this month. Photo by Haley Sutton

Our stewardship staff members have been removing old gates and installing new and additional gates, along with informational signage at the entrances to the trails.

Additionally, staff and volunteers have been pruning tree branches and shrubs and removing dead trees along the new trails to decrease fire risk, increase visibility, and make the new trails safer.

These new trails help make Mount Diablo’s wildest and most rugged areas more safely accessible and enjoyable for the public.

Phytophthora signs at knobcone trail

Help prevent the spread of the pathogen Phytophthora, which kills some native plants, in this unique habitat! Signs encourage visitors to clean their bike tires and hiking boots before entering. Photo by Sean Burke

Curry Canyon Ranch is a highly biodiverse area that harbors distinctive habitats including knobcone pine forests and a mile of rocky cliffs.

As they travel through this picturesque area, hikers and bikers will be able to enjoy sweeping views of Mount Diablo’s peaks and the Sacramento Valley.

Opening these new trails also helps Mount Diablo State Park staff better access and manage the areas surrounding Curry Canyon Ranch, such as Riggs Canyon.

snowy mount diablo

Snowy Mount Diablo, seen from the Knobcone Point Trail. Photo by Sean Burke

This project has been over a decade in the making, since Save Mount Diablo acquired the 1,080-acre Curry Canyon Ranch property in 2013.

Thank you to our outstanding staff, volunteers, and supporters who made this possible.

To make a gift to Save Mount Diablo, please visit our donate page.

SMD staff install new gates

Save Mount Diablo staff install new gates along the newly opening trail. Photo by Haley Sutton

Join us to save the remaining natural lands of Mount Diablo!

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