Mission Peak - Hiking

Hiking

Mission Peak is served by three trails from its western face. The Peak Trail starts at Ohlone College and heads southwards to the summit. While this trail is generally the least steep of the three, it is still quite challenging for casual hikers and requires considerable endurance due to a steady 4 mile uphill hike and 2100 feet elevation change. The other two trails, the Hidden Valley and Peak Meadow Trails both begin their ascent from Stanford Avenue and ascend the western face. They offer regular panoramic views of the Bay Area, however they are considerably steeper than the Peak Trail. Parking is available at both locations, although there is a charge for parking at the campus parking lot. The lot at the end of Stanford Avenue is free although space is limited (street parking is legal a few blocks further down). AC Transit buses are also an option, providing service to Ohlone College from BART.

There are two more approaches to Mission Peak. One is from Sunol Regional Wilderness. This route climbs 2200 feet over 5 miles along gentler grade than Hidden Valley Trail which climbs 2200' over just 3 miles. The other approach is from Ed R. Levin County Park in Milpitas. This route first climbs 2200 ft from the Park HQ to Monument Peak over 3 miles, and from there Mission Peak is another 3 miles to the north along a mostly flat trail. This 3 mile long route passes along Mount Allison, the tallest point among these three peaks on the route. Mount Allison, which is about 170' higher than Mission Peak, is not open to public access but the trail passes very close to it. Mission Peak stands at 2,517 ft and Monument Peak is at 2594'.

Services along each trail are minimal to non-existent and shade from trees diminishes at higher altitude so hikers are cautioned to bring adequate supplies of water, sunscreen, and protective clothing. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended as well although no climbing gear or technical climbing skill is required. It can be very windy and cold on top of the ridge regardless of season or weather conditions due to the peak's exposed position. Still, it's best to keep the carried weight to a minimum. Even a few extra pounds can become tiring on a steady uphill hike like this one.

Views from the peak vary with weather conditions, but it is common to be able to see the other high peaks of the Bay Area, including Mount Diablo, Mount Hamilton, and Mount Tamalpais. Furthermore, the peak provides good views of the cities of Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco, and Fremont. Under the right conditions (usually a crisp and clear winter day) even the Sierra Nevada range can be seen approximately 100 miles to the east.

Hiking on Mission Peak also has connections to and from a broader regional trail network. Mission Peak contains part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail (which is still under construction). This trail leads southwards along (and up) the ridge to Monument Peak and the Ed R. Levin County Park in the hills above Milpitas. Hikers can also access the Ohlone Wilderness trail that descends east from near the peak towards Sunol Regional Wilderness. This trail ultimately leads to Lake Del Valle south of Livermore, although this is a trek requiring usually at least two nights of camping as well as permits (available at Sunol Regional Park) allowing entrance to the deeper areas of the range. Also situated on the eastern side of the summit is the new Eagle Spring Backpack campsite.

Visitors to the park might also notice a group of buildings below the summit in a small valley, known as Peak Meadow Ranch, on the western face of the mountain. (It has sometimes been incorrectly referred to as Hidden Valley because the Hidden Valley Ranch was its immediate neighbor on the western slope) These were formerly the Peak Meadow Ranch owned by the McClure Family, who ran cattle on Mission Peak for a number of decades in the 20th Century. They are now the residence of the park caretaker and are not open to the public.