Moon California Hiking by Tom Stienstra

Author:Tom Stienstra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Avalon Travel
Published: 2012-02-29T05:00:00+00:00

in Almaden Quicksilver County Park in the San Jose foothills

Map 7.4

Of the dozen trails at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, this is the most unusual. Although Almaden Quicksilver covers 3,977 acres and has two reservoirs (Almaden and Guadalupe), it is the evidence of historical mining operations that makes it fascinating. With a network of trails here, many routes and long trips are possible, but most people cut it short, enjoying a portion.

The Mine Hill Trail starts just inside the park entrance off of Almaden Road (Hacienda entrance). From here, Mine Hill Trail is routed north to a junction (there are several). Turn left (staying on Mine Hill Trail) and you will pass the Day Tunnel (the Day Tunnel is on the Randol Trail about 0.5 mile from Mine Hill Trail) and San Cristobal Tunnel, remnants of the mining days. At that point, most people just return. Some will take the 0.75-mile April Trail Loop, a short cutoff loop off Mine Hill Trail. A bonus is that wildflower blooms are good in this park in the spring.

Almaden was the site of the first quicksilver mine in North America. Mining began in 1845 and continued until 1975. There are still burnt ore dumps along the trail.

Note: Wallace Stegner set part of his novel Angle of Repose in the area now contained within Almaden Quicksilver County Park.

User Groups: Hikers, mountain bikes (Hacienda/Wood/Mockingbird entrances only), and horses. Leashed dogs are permitted. No wheelchair trail access.

Permits: No permits are required. Park entrance is free.

Maps: A trail map is also available at the trailhead. For a topographic map, ask the USGS for Santa Teresa Hills.

Directions: Take Highway 82 to the exit for Almaden Expressway. Take that exit and drive south on Almaden Expressway to Almaden Road. Turn right on Almaden Road and drive three miles through New Almaden to the Hacienda park entrance and unpaved staging area on the right (note that there are four major access points to the park).

Contact: Almaden Quicksilver County Park office, (Calero County Park), 23205 McKe an Road, San Jose, CA 95120, 408/268-3883; trail conditions, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation, 408/355-2200, www.parkhere.org.

COYOTE PEAK LOOP

3.4 mi / 2.0 hr

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