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Day Hike - Diablo Lake & Happy-Panther

Great one-way trip in the early season with lots of flora.

Louise Kornreich Louise Kornreich
June 29, 2016
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • Both trails have been cleared of downed trees, though Happy-Panther has some overgrown areas (needs to be hiked more).

Beautiful hike with lots of moss, lichen, salal, ferns and views of mountains and turquoise water. Most of the elevation gain is on the haul road over Ross Dam. We were lucky to get a ride in the gear haul truck but without that, it would have brought the trip up to moderate level (and added some slogging).

Also, please note that if you have to shuttle cars back to the start near NCI and it's after 4:30, the gate at the top of the Diablo Dam Road can be opened for you only if you are an overnight guest at NCI. There may be exceptions, but that would have to be researched beforehand.