There was a time Mission Peak was known as a solitary place.

Now it’s known for selfies.

Being popular isn’t such a good thing for the 2,517-foot peak in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Residents of the upscale Fremont, California neighborhood near a well-used trailhead that is the gateway to the three-mile hike are tired of the inconveniences caused on a typical weekend when thousands of hikers clog the streets because there are only 42 parking spaces near the pathway’s entrance.

So East Bay Regional Park District officials have stepped in, shrinking hours hikers are allowed up the mountain and increasing the number of tickets issued for violating the curfew.

Earlier this fall, new hours were implemented at the Stanford Avenue Staging Area, closing access to the area at 6 p.m. According to a post on the District’s web site, vehicles in the staging area and visitors on the affected trails after that time are subject to a citation.

Hikers have access to both the Hidden Valley Trail and Peak Meadow Trail from that location.

“It can get very hot, sometimes over 90 degrees; and with minimum shade here, hikers and their dogs have suffered extreme dehydration and heat stroke,” said Park District Police Lt. Lance Brede in a statement. “Hikers need to pace themselves. The climb can take up to four hours round-trip. Give yourself enough time to hike up and back to avoid a citation when the park is officially closed.”

Hikers are encouraged to use a different parking lot, the Ohlone College parking area and hike to the Mission Peak summit from the Peak Trail. There is a small parking fee.

There is no admission to the park, but a fee is being considered.

The pressure on the peak has been problematic for area residents and public safety personnel. The hike often leaves ill-prepared hikers exhausted and dehydrated so they call 911, sidetracking police and fire from other duties.

Neighbors complain about the noise, litter, public urination and parking problems including blocked driveways.

“We want visitors to have a safe and pleasant experience. Wear sturdy shoes with ankle support and bring plenty of water for you and your dogs,” said East Bay Regional Park District Board President Ayn Wieskamp.

The peak rises east of the city and offers fine views of the Mount Hamilton in the south, Mount Tamalpais in Marin County in the north, the Santa Cruz Mountains in the west and the Sierra Nevada in the northeast.

Overhead, vultures and hawks soar in the thermals while wild goats tend to roam about the peak’s cliffs.

A post marks the summit where hikers congregate to snap those selfies to share through social media.

“It can be like a mall,” Cassandra Recchioni, of Fremont told the San Jose Mercury News. “Facebook and social media has made it famous.”

This all started about four years ago, according to the New York Times. That pole atop the peak was perfect for people to snap away. They posed individually and in groups. They got creative, standing and doing various gymnastic type poses on the pole.

And soon enough Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other platforms helped spread the work.

The Times estimates some 1,500 to 2,000 people come every Saturday and Sunday to climb the mountain.

Though park administrators have suggested other routes, and have expressed concern about the popular path experiencing serious trail erosion, the masses continue to make the pilgrimage.

Many hikers view the trek as an alternative to going to the gym, while there are unique visitors including one woman who makes the hike once a week while rocking a hula hoop.

Image by Wikimedia Commons user Kevin Collins