Title: Mission Peak Summit Visit, Fremont, California, USA

Preparation: Address: Address: 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539 ( for Parking) It's free. Single hiking distance 4 miles if you go through the Ohlone College entrance. It takes about 4.5 hours for the round trip for regular hikers. If you can walk extremely fast without stopping, it might take 2.5 hours or so. Mission Peak's highest point is 2,520 ft (768 m) . What to bring: 1. Wear sports shoes. 2. Bring an extra jacket or lightweight coat in the winter season 3. Snack, fruits, water, or other drinks. Just bring enough for about 4 hours' hiking. 4. Wear a hat/cap, or sunblock on sunny days Age group: It would be good for kids and adults who can walk or hike for 4 hours or so. The trails are rough, so it is not suitable for strollers. I suggested age > 8 years old. It also depends on individuals' capabilities. I've seen adults who take even 3 or 4 years old and also seen 72 years old seniors there in the summit.

General opinion: It's a great daily trip for us. We enjoyed the journey from Ohlone parking garage to the Mission Peak Summit very much. Do not expect to get to the summit if you are with very young age kids or elders who cannot walk a few hours in rough trails. It's also nice to hike there on sunny days for the winter season. Try to go there as early as you can and then you can reach the summit before 1 pm or 2 pm. After 3 pm, the summit becomes chilly even it's sunny.

Attractions and activities: 1. Iconic "Mission Peeker" summit pole: The "Mission Peeker" marker pole at the summit is the most famous and geo-tagged landmark in the City of Fremont. 2. Scenic Views: There are a few places you can see the Bay Area beautiful view. We enjoyed the hiking journey to the summit very much. Note: Most of the trails are rough but there is a small section, in the middle, relatively easy to walk through. Go as early as you can. The earlier, the fewer people. When we got there, around 2:30 pm at the summit. The temperature was OK. But after 3 pm, it became chilly. The line that was waiting for taking pictures at the tip of the summit is long, around 20 minutes waiting time. Take off early also gives yourself and your family flexible breaking time. They can relax a bit, eat snacks, drink water, use the restroom, and take pictures, etc.

Dining: The hiking journey is purely natural, with no food, no drinking water available, no vending machine. You need to bring your own snack, water.

Commute: Parking in Ohlone college is not a problem at all. On holidays, no parking fees. Other time, you may need to buy a parking permit which cost $4. This may change at any time. There is also a Stanford Avenue Staging Area access to Mission Peak but Parking space is very limited. So I suggest you go through the Ohlone College entrance.

Lodge: There are 2 portable restrooms in the Ohlone College entrance and another one is on the way to the summit. After you walk 1.5 hours to 2 hours or so from the Ohlone College entrance, you may reach that restroom area. When you pass the restroom area, you will reach the summit after about 30 minutes of walking.

Things I wish I had known before: I have also visited Mission Peak in the summer but did not reach the summit at that time due to the hot weather. In the summer, suggest you go there very early. Search "Mission Peak" to see another post.