Mission Peak

On Summit of Mission Peak

Summary

Mission Peak is a peak east of Fremont, California. It is part of a ridge that includes Mount Allison and Monument Peak. Mission Peak is located in the Mission Peak Regional Preserve and is a part of the East Bay Regional Park District. There is regular snowfall every winter, but it is typically light and melts relatively quickly.

Mission Peak

Hiking Details

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.

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'.

View of valley at en route.

Our Trip:

On my business trip to Santa clara, USA, I was bored to the core due unwillingness of my fellow colleges in venturing new place. They were more than reluctant in going out for places. 

Every Saturday and Sunday, was more of the burden on my head to persuade people to move a bit from safe home.

Kannan and his Daughter

Kannan along with his wife and his little daughter offered me a ride to mission peak park. With no choice I said yes to the party. 

At first mission peak is much hyped phenomenon and is indeed a herculean task for most of the couch potatoes. 

Look how wide the trail is and moreover look at people!

Trail to mission peak is gradual and I am sure that I can take any car out there on that dirt road. and I don't need SUV. Yes the trail is easy walk on the top. It's so easy that I pushed the pram of Kannan's daughter all the way to top, along with her. 

Trail to top

Yeah lot of people were astonished to find out I made it to peak with baby on pram.. overall it was great fun as we enjoyed every bit of it. It was fun to listen people and their difficulties in climbing the peak.  

I tried climbing a lone tree

After about 2 hours of climb and periodic rest we made it to 90%of the summit. From here it is bit steep walk uphill to about 70-80 ft and you can be on top. 

Final Climb

Kannan was not keen on making to top and rested at 90%. Since it was my first time he said go ahead and experience the top. From top on your east is spectacular view bay area and on west is some valley. 

But reaching top I realized that mission peak is more famous for para gliding than hiking. I saw lot of people taking the plunge for wind soaring.   

After a half an hour of break on top we finally manage to return to base in an hours time.