A narrow road climbs from Livermore and Clayton into the hills on Mount Diablo's east side.
History
The preserve was founded in 1975 with fewer than 1,000 acres and has grown to 5,230 acres since 2015, according to Wikipedia. It's named for Morgan Territory, the historic name for the area, after Jeremiah Morgan, who acquired thousands of acres on the east side of Mount Diablo in 1856 and developed a ranch. Morgan Territory Road, built along the creek in 1892, is named for his ranch.
What's there
The main staging area is at a pass at 2,030 feet, and the Volvon Trail follows a ridge from there. The highest point, on Highland Ridge, is 2,317 feet. The park district says its sandstone hills bloom in spring with more than 90 species of wildflowers, including the Diablo sunflower, which grows only in the foothills of Mount Diablo. Trails connect to Mount Diablo State Park, and a backpacking camp requires a reservation.
Visiting
The staging area is at 9401 Morgan Territory Road, about 5.5 miles up the road from North Livermore Avenue. Parking is free. Gate hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Nov. 5, then 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The district says Stone Corral Trail, between Coyote Trail and the Highland Ridge Trail junction, is closed because of storm damage.