Fans of spiders so big they could palm a tennis ball will be enthused to know that opportunities to hike with tarantulas, a yearly staple on East Bay’s Mount Diablo, will double in number in 2023.
“Tarantula Treks” will be offered twice a year instead of once, announced the conservation group, Save Mount Diablo. Sure, that’s only an increase of one, but that’s one more chance to get up close to the creatures.
The easy, 2-mile hikes are scheduled for Sept. 2 and 9, the former a hike for families and the latter for adults. Save Mount Diablo describes them thusly: “Find out if you have arachnophobia or fall in love with spiders, as you are introduced to the gentle giants of Mount Diablo.” You can book these free events two months beforehand — and be sure to do so early, as they’re more popular than you might think.
The tarantula expansion comes courtesy of financial support from the Martinez Refining Company. Along with spider hikes, the Mount Diablo group is planning an ambitious schedule of events throughout the year, beginning Jan. 21, from plein-air painting to meditation walks, rock climbing and the exploration of places rarely seen by public visitors. Check here for the full 2023 schedule.