On Saturday, March 22, more than 70 Volunteers delivered a herculean effort to conduct trail maintenance across three miles of Oyster Point Trail. All goals were achieved, helping facilitate a safer, better trail experience for park visitors who explore the spectacular southern territory of Mount Diablo State Park. 78% of the Dig Day volunteers identified as Hikers or Trail Runners. The other 22% were MTB or Gravel Cyclists. To achieve that strong showing across major trail user groups, many important organizations supported the Dig Day.

There has been a trail location change for the March 22nd Dig Day. The new trail location is Oyster Point Trail. The check-in and staging/parking areas are unchanged: the last, large pull-out on Finley Road. Protected species and plants have been observed at the originally-planned trail location, requiring evaluation of enhanced environmentally-sensitive preparations before any trail work can be conducted in the future. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

On Saturday, February 8th, California State Parks and Mount Diablo Trails Alliance supported a record-breaking Dig Day with a focus on safer, better trails for park visitors and the environment. 129 volunteers restored 1.4 miles of Camel Rock Trail at Mount Diablo State Park in one day, which is unprecedented at this iconic park unit. The achievement eclipsed the 1.1 miles of Diablo Ranch Trail that 135 Dig Day volunteers had serviced just a month ago.

Please abide and let the trails at Mount Diablo State Park and surrounding parks drain and dry out for a few days after this weekend’s atmospheric river. Most trails below 2,000 feet elevation (e.g., Junction Ranger Station) can become soft, making the tread vulnerable to damage. If the fire roads are soft and muddy, the trails will be even worse and can be quickly damaged by trail users of any mode. Thanks for your cooperation.

California State Parks soon will enforce seasonal restrictions in two (2) areas of Mount Diablo State Park to protect Peregrine Falcon nesting. Please do not enter the area closures from February 1 through July 31. To protect both the peregrine falcons nesting period and policy-based, change-in-use (CIU) Bike-Friendly trail access gains planned elsewhere in the State Park, please abide by the temporary closures. In other matters, the next important Dig Day volunteer opportunity is Saturday, February 8^th at Camel Rock Trail. Registration details herein.

On Saturday, January 11th, the Shared Stewardship model that California State Parks and Mount Diablo Trails Alliance are building together went next-level, thanks to the fast-growing community of like-minded trail users. More than 130 volunteers powered this important Dig Day project, restoring 1.1 miles of Diablo Ranch Trail in one day.

So much gratitude for the 21 Volunteers who powered the Buckeye Trail Dig Day at Mount Diablo State Park on Saturday, December 7th. These amazing Trail Champions showed up on just one week’s notice and delivered a gigantic effort. Yearslong trail damage contributed to safety and environmental hazards in three sections. All sections were addressed using proven trail maintenance/repair techniques, including full bench construction, berm and rut removal, water knick construction, and grade reversal construction.

Mount Diablo Trails Alliance is proud to share the California State Parks schedule of Dig Days Season Two at Mount Diablo State Park, covering December 2024 to April 2025. More than 500 Dig Day volunteers have helped repair and enhance nine (9) trails over the past 13 months. Help us sustain that momentum. If all Season Two Dig Days achieve key project goals, then the focus will shift to the Clayton–Mitchell Canyon side of the mountain in Season Three.

Please let the trails at Mount Diablo State Park drain and dry out for a few days after this weekend’s atmospheric river. So much heart, soul, teamwork and service from more than 500 volunteers have been dedicated to repairing many trails at Mount Diablo over the past 13 months. IT TAKES ALL OF US: Respecting the tread applies to Hikers, Equestrians, Runners and Cyclists, especially those on E-Bikes. The heavier E-bike and its motor-driven torque put more pressure on saturated trail tread than acoustic bikes.

Following Friday’s momentous Castle Rock Trail Dig Day, Saturday’s Little Yosemite Trail Dig Day affirmed the Shared Stewardship model’s mission and purpose thanks to the dedication and service of 58 volunteers. It was a herculean effort restoring the glory of Little Yosemite Trail at Mount Diablo State Park all in one day, despite harder-than-usual dirt and clay conditions.

Many shining moments of the Shared Stewardship model in action were on full display at today’s Castle Rock Dig Day, which was part of Save Mount Diablo's 5th Annual Pine Canyon Cleanup event. So much gratitude for Save Mount Diablo and also the 19 Volunteers (Trail Champions) who gave back so much to the trails and the State Park.

Mount Diablo Trails Alliance (MDTA) is proud to announce the first Dig Days of Season Two. In the coming months, MDTA and its awesome volunteer base will build on the momentum established in Season One.

Did you know that June 2024 is California Mountain Biking Month? Yes, it is! The legislation cleared its final milestone, passing in the Senate on Thursday, June 20. To celebrate, CAMTB Coalition is teaming with Ibis Cycles for a Dreambike Giveaway. Read on to learn more and donate/enter prior to the July 1st drawing.

On Saturday, May 4th, California State Parks, in partnership with Mount Diablo Trails Alliance as a promotional and educational supporter of an increasingly-impactful Shared Stewardship model, hosted a Dig Day on Buckeye Trail at Mount Diablo State Park. Despite bitter-cold rain and fierce winds, 57 Volunteers (aka, Trail Champions) helped maintain and enhance more than half of this beautiful trail in one day.

California State Parks and Mount Diablo Trails Alliance announce an important location change for the final Dig Day of the Winter/Spring 2024 Season. The May 4th location is Buckeye Trail. Operating hours: 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Rain or Shine. This is your last chance before summer break to get your hands dirty and help maintain and enhance the beautiful backcountry trails system at Mount Diablo State Park.

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, California State Parks, in partnership with Mount Diablo Trails Alliance as a promotional and educational supporter, hosted an important Dig Day on Lower Juniper Trail at Mount Diablo State Park. 70 Volunteers, including 30 Minors, contributed to a super incredible Dig Day. 0.9 miles of trail were repaired, maintained and enhanced to prepare the trail for change-in-use to multi-use bike friendly, in accordance to the 2016 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for Mount Diablo State Park and California DPR Trails Handbook standards.

On Sunday, March 24, 2024, California State Parks, in partnership with Mount Diablo Trails Alliance as a promotional and educational supporter, hosted an important Dig Day on Upper Summit Trail at Mount Diablo State Park. Fog and unsettled weather scared away some of the 120 volunteers who registered in advance, but the 79 volunteers who braved the elements contributed to an historic Dig Day. 1.5 miles of trail were repaired, maintained and enhanced to prepare the trail for change-in-use to multi-use bike friendly, in strict accordance to the 2016 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for Mount Diablo State Park and California DPR Trails Handbook standards.

Lots to cover in this month’s Blog. There is the multi-event, Volunteer-powered effort at Oak Knoll Trail, which even overcame an atmospheric river to repair and enhance the trail. Next, location changes have been announced to the upcoming Dig Days schedule to accommodate rainy season. Lastly, check out the WHY Factor short-film series, unveiled earlier this month. It showcases the Volunteers, who are the soul and backbone of our shared stewardship model with California State Parks.

On February 4, 2024, California State Parks, in partnership with Mount Diablo Trails Alliance as a promotional supporter, hosted a Dig Day on Oak Knoll Trail at Mount Diablo State Park. Forty-nine (49) volunteers joined the effort, despite a fierce atmospheric river weather system moving through the area. The broad-based dedication and teamwork of all volunteers were beyond epic, especially the hard work and partnership of local BSA Girl Troop 126.

California State Parks will be enforcing seasonal restrictions in two (2) areas of Mount Diablo State Park to protect Peregrine Falcon nesting. To protect both the peregrine falcons nesting period and policy-based, bike-friendly trail access gains planned elsewhere in the State Park, please abide by the temporary closures.

Photo credit: Mount Diablo Interpretative Association’s Peregrine Team.