Mission Peak Regional Preserve

Distance: 6.6 miles round trip, 3.5 hours (My time 2.5 Hours)

Elevation Change:    2,000 feet

Level:    Strenuous

Rating:    4 Stars

June 16, 2002

"The grassy slope of 2,517-foot Mission Peak are a prerequisite hike for outdoor lovers in Alameda County...hundreds of East and South Bay residents make the pilgrimage to Mission Peak's summit...enjoy first-rate views of the South Bay, the Northern Santa Cruz Mountains, the Peninsula, San Francisco, and even the summits of the Sierra Nevada....the trail has a reputation of being a butt-kicker."

This was the busiest trail I've been on to date and, unfortunately, no hotties.  There are two ways up to the peak; straight up or follow the trail.  I know I'm still not up to full strength because I had an informal race with a guy who started before me.  He chose the straight up path while I went the round about way via the trail.  He went about 3/4 the distance I did and beat me by 10 minutes but I don't know if I could have made it straight up like he did.

Here's the pics (Click on the picture to see full size):

These are low res pictures.  I can send you higher quality pictures if you want them