Mission Peak

Mission Peak rises to 2,517 feet in California. The Mission Peak via Hidden Valley Trail covers 6.2 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 2,100 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.

The Route

Most of the climbing comes early — the first half of the route does the bulk of the work before the grade eases. The steepest stretch arrives around mile 0.09, gaining roughly 3,300 feet per mile — expect a slow, deliberate pace through here. From the trailhead at about 200 feet, the route tops out near 2,300 feet. Along the way the route passes a viewpoint (Mission Peak) near mile 1.17 — useful checkpoints for judging your pace.

Getting There

The trailhead is at 37.5159, -121.9019 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 180 miles southwest of Reno, Nevada. Parking: Stanford Ave Staging Area. Fee: Free.

When to Go

Spring through fall is the main season. Conditions change fast in the shoulder months — check a point forecast for the summit, not the nearest town, before you commit.

Know Before You Go

The Moderate rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 3.5 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from East Bay Regional Park District.