Discovery Peak is a peak in the Diablo Range of California and is the highest point in Alameda County. The officially unnamed peak is also known as Valpe Ridge–Rose Flat due to its location near Rose Flat.[4] The area is high enough to receive occasional snowfall during the winter, which generally melts within a few days of falling.[5] Although it is on private property, the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, in Sunol Regional Wilderness, comes to within about 1 mile (1.6 km) of the summit.[3][6]

Discovery Peak
Highest point
Elevation3,849 ft (1,173 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence1,086 ft (331 m)[1]
ListingCalifornia county high points 46th
Coordinates37°30′44″N 121°41′57″W / 37.5122172°N 121.6993026°W / 37.5122172; -121.6993026[2]
Geography
Discovery Peak is located in California
Discovery Peak
Discovery Peak
Location in California
LocationAlameda County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeDiablo Range
Topo mapUSGS Mendenhall Springs
Climbing
Easiest routeTrail hike[3]

History

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Discovery Peak was named in 1991 after it was "discovered" by highpointer Dinesh Desai while studying a topo map.[3] Field work by Gordon MacLeod and others supports Desai's conclusion,[7] but this is in conflict with numerous official county documents that list nearby Rose Peak as the highest point.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Valpe Ridge-Rose Flat, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  2. ^ "Discovery Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  3. ^ a b c "Discovery Peak". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  4. ^ Mendenhall Springs quadrangle, California (Map). 1:24000. 7.5 Minute Topographic. USGS. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  5. ^ "Subsection M262Ac - Diablo Range". USDA, Forest Service. Archived from the original on 2005-03-15. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  6. ^ "Ohlone Regional Wilderness". East Bay Regional Park District. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  7. ^ MacLeod, Gordon (June 2002). "Alameda County High Point Trip Report". Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  8. ^ Weintraub, David (2005). East Bay Trails: Hiking Trails in Alameda And Contra Costa Counties. Wilderness Press. p. 215. ISBN 0-89997-372-8.

See also

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