The park has few amenities, but has abundant trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. #5 - Steer Ridge Loop at Hunting Hollow [CLOSED]. Henry Coe State Park is a gigantic park with rugged trails meandering through canyons, ridges and creeks. There are regular restrooms behind the visitor center that are open all day and night. If you are mountain biking, stick to Wagon Rd and Wasno Rd through this section. Trailhead: Dowdy Ranch entrance (Bell Station) to Henry Coe State Access: Bell's Station Gate off Pacheco Pass Highway. This largely undeveloped park welcomes backpackers, equestrians, mountain bikers, day-hikers, and anyone seeking solitude in a nearly untouched setting. back after six and a half weeks without her – I knew it would feel good to be reunited with my trusty adventure mobile, but Saturday morning I felt a special kind of happiness – seat heaters on, music up all the way, singing along, cruising down to Henry Coe State Park. You'll also descend along the Madrone Soda Springs Trail and the Mile Trail, which passes the decaying remains of an era when the springs were a major tourist attraction. All the hikes QuercusMx and Lost Hikers have done at this park. Best time to go: spring, when the hills are green and the wildflowers are popping, and early summer, when it's warm enough to swim at China Hole. Nearest town: Morgan Hill, CA Region: South San Jose and Morgan Hill Park website: Link here Best time of year to visit: Late fall through early spring (i.e., not during the hot months, especially in summer) Features of the park: This is the second largest state park in California, and the largest state part in the northern part of the state. On most hikes, you shall find very few others sharing the trails with you. Some of the trails and roads on the more strenuous hikes are incredibly steep, which can make for slow going and trips that turn out to take longer than you thought they might. Spring rains create a picturesque swimming hole at the confluence of two creeks, making the nearby backcountry campsite a prized locale for overnight outings. Are you interested in learning more about Henry W. Coe State Park and sharing your knowledge with park visitors? Within Coe Park are the headwaters of Coyote Creek, long stretches of the Pacheco and Orestimba creeks, and a 23,300-acre wilderness area. With the mix of winter rain and random sunny days the typically dry golden brown meadows are turning green with new grasses. Coe Park is a huge wilderness, and it's not that hard to take a wrong turn and get lost. Wild turkeys on the way down to Madrone Soda Springs. Follow the Henry W. Coe signs for 13 miles (about 40 minutes) to park headquarters. Henry Coe State Park is all peaks, ridges and valleys, and its reputation for arduous treks is well deserved. This rare change in the landscape makes this the best season to… Many of the trails are very exposed as well, so protection from the sun is paramount. It has highlighted maps of the most popular hikes in the park, and it lists the mileage and elevation gain for each hike. Henry Coe Hiking trail in Old Gilroy, California (United States). Courtesy of Henry Coe Park Other popular trails include Manzanita trail, Frog trail, and China Hole, each offering a unique attraction. In 1958 the county deeded the land to the State, which established Henry W. Coe State Park. For detailed descriptions of the most enjoyable hikes in the more accessible areas of the park, see the Popular Day Hikes list to the right. To hike into this remote country is to see it as it stood for thousands of years before the first European settlers arrived. Summers get very hot at this park so prepare accordingly. At China Hole, Henry Coe's perennial swimming hole. Also, there is no parking at the Coyote Creek Gate, so you must park at Hunting Hollow and walk 1.8 miles up the mostly flat road before you start in on the trail. All the trails are quite easy. There are 27 moderate trails in Henry W. Coe State Park ranging from 2.7 to 30.8 miles and from 853 to 3,195 feet above sea level. 2 of 4 Trailhead at Hunting Hollow, southern entrance to Henry W. Coe State Park, provides launch point for region's most ambitious mountain bike treks and hikes Photo: Tom Stienstra Get the app ... Henry Coe (Jackson Field, Wasno Ridge, Bowl Trail) 16.1 mi 25.8 km • 2,625' Up 799.95 m Up • 2,624' Down 799.8 m Down. © 2019 - Pine Ridge Association at Henry W. Coe State ParkPrivacy Policy(function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); Pine Ridge Association Board of Directors, © 2019 - Pine Ridge Association at Henry W. Coe State Park, Henry W. Coe State Park page on California State Parks website. +/- 6,000 feet of elevation with a starting elevation of 2,600 feet and a peak elevation of 2,630 feet. You should always be prepared to hike in hot temperatures and carry plenty of water. In the cool months the rolling green hills go on and on, and … The social trail at mile 13.0 to mile 15.1 is NOT a legal mountain biking trail. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=561. The essential Henry Coe Hike: 10 arduous miles through the park's demanding mountainous terrain. A little over 10 miles at Henry Coe State Park. Please refer to the map located at this link for more information: We showed up fairly late around 11 on the Saturday of a holiday weekend and there was still plenty of availability (we got our second choice). Detailed directions : Start your hike at the Manzanita point road near the Henry Coe state park visitor … Henry W. Coe State Park "Your Wilderness Next Door". As well as the State Park's page here: Soaking up the magical waters of the Coyote Creek. Henry Coe State Park is the largest State Park in Northern California (the second largest in the California Park system) just south of San Jose. Most hikes in Henry W. Coe park started from the peak to the valley down below and back up to the “headquarters”. Additionally, trekking poles are a life saver at Henry Coe. Located southeast of San Jose, these 87,000 mostly undeveloped acres cover mountain ridges, plateaus, and valleys. While the hike starts with a 400-foot ascent and continues with a knee-crunching 600-foot descent, the return leg is serene by Henry Coe standards. The park has over 250 miles of hiking trails and old ranch roads that can be traveled in all seasons. Frog trail leads to Frog Lake, which houses giant frogs. Without AllTrails gps tracking it is possible to get lost. Take Hunting Hollow Road for .7 to Lyman Wilson Ridge Trail. There is little in the way of epic hiking, or epic views, or major attractions. The midpoint is Frog Lake, a great place to watch for wildlife and listen for the trademark knock of the acorn woodpecker. Named after the rancher that donated the land, Henry W. Coe State Park is California's largest state park. Henry Coe is a great choice for a last-minute trip, because unlike the Santa Cruz Mountains, the backcountry permits are non-reservable and first-come-first-serve. On warm days, take more water than you think you'll need, and don't forget to carry a map with you. AllTrails has 52 great hiking trails, trail running trails, mountain biking trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. The trail is covered with a variety of colorful flowers that will keep you and your camera busy. Looking east through the spires. Multi-day backpacking trips can help you explore the vast interior of Henry Coe. Henry Coe State Park is a place that many, including myself, have a tough love relationship with. https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/561/files/Henry_Coe_Closure_Map202011.pdf Start at Hunting Hollow Gate. A technical entrance welcomes us to the Narrows. Encompassing a variety of habitats, from dry grassy hills to forested slopes at its higher, cooler elevations. #48 Henry Coe SP Leave a reply I got my car (Stinky Mel!) Just bear in mind this is one of the easiest routes in the park. This is one of the local bay area hikes (Morgan Hill) that is wonderful to visit during spring time. You can also refer to the Trails of Coe Park binder in the Visitor Center. Call Henry Coe state park visitor center (800)444-7275 for more information. We started the hike at 0940 hrs. Closed if it rains. Henry Coe is a fairly low elevation park (2,000-3,000 feet) and can get extremely hot in the summer months. China Hole is one of the most popular destinations at Henry Coe State Park. Duration: 1 day Date: 10 May 2014 Distance: ~15 miles Difficulty: Moderate on a hot day (Easy otherwise) – 4000 feet gain. San Martin, CA. If you would like to stick to the clearly labeled paths to Kelly lake and Coit lake and avoid the cattle trail try this page: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/kelly-and-coit-lakes-trail, Steer Ridge Loop at Hunting Hollow [CLOSED], Mount Sizer via Monument Trail to Hobbs Road [CLOSED], Kelly Lake Loop: Jim Donnelly and Grizzly Gulch Trails [CLOSED]. Sada Coe Robinson, 1953 Gina smiles with the morning sun. Open during late spring, summer and early fall. The Pine Ridge Association The Pine Ridge Association was formed in 1975 to assist park staff in providing interpretive and educational programs to the public. 175 Miles 282 Kilometers of Trail For the most part, dogs are not allowed on trails in the park. Henry W. Coe State Park: Hike - See 55 traveler reviews, 49 candid photos, and great deals for Morgan Hill, CA, at Tripadvisor. Henry Coe State Park is the largest in the California State Park system, and there are a number of entrances to the park. Top Hikes. Getting There: Take the East Dunne Avenue exit off of US 101 at Morgan Hill and go east. In northern California, Henry W. Coe State Park is off US Route 101, 20 miles southeast of San Jose and 60 miles northeast of Monterey. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! Henry Coe is a huge and underutilized park, especially considering its proximity to the Bay Area. The park has over 250 miles of hiking trails and old ranch roads that can be traveled in all seasons. In 1949, a year after Henry sold the land to an investor, Sada bought it back. The access road is gravel 7miles from Pacheco Pass Highway to the visitor center. How about helping out with annual events or maintenance of springs and trails? Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, day-hiking, and camping. As of December 7th, 2020 most of Henry Coe State Park is closed with the exception of small areas. Turtle at China Hole. With over 250 miles of trails and the nearest place to the bay area that allows dispersed camping it’s a popular destination for backpacking, particularly in the Spring, which is the best time to visit the park. 15.2 miles / 4,066 ft elevation. The Ponderosa Loop Trail is about 2.0 miles long and starts at the Henry Coe State Park Visitor's Center, about 12 miles from Morgan Hill, CA. This hike begins and ends at the headquarters, located at 9100 E Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 – also generally the closest entrance to the Bay Area. Permits may also be acquired at the Dowdy Ranch Entrance on weekends from May through Labor Day Weekend. Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Some of the hills are scarred by wildfires of recent vintage, but the sight of green reclaiming the blackened landscape can't help but cheer you up. Snake in the Narrows. From Highway 101, take East Dunne Avenue all the way to the end. The water gets more dank as summer progresses -- the puddles remaining after July tend to reek. #6 - Mount Sizer via Monument Trail to Hobbs Road [CLOSED], #7 - Kelly Lake Loop: Jim Donnelly and Grizzly Gulch Trails [CLOSED], #8 - Spring and Forest Loop Trail [CLOSED], Backpacking permits may be acquired year-round at either the Coe Ranch or Hunting Hollow Entrances. She deeded the ranch to Santa Clara County to be used as a park in 1953. Other day hikes beginning at headquarters feature views of the Santa Clara valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains, groves of ponderosa pines, gigantic manzanitas, oak-studded hillsides, and Sada Coe's monument to her father. Kelly Lake Loop - Henry Coe, California. It’s a vast expanse of hills, creeks, and small lakes punctuated by poetic Oaks and mythical giant Madrones. Write what you know about Henry W. Coe State Park We rely on your generous support. On long hikes, be sure to take plenty of water and food. Ready for some activity? Download its GPS track and follow the route on a map. Henry W. Coe State Park Hiking. Loxo and I took Mae out on her first big hike. Spring rains create a picturesque swimming hole at the confluence of two creeks, making the nearby backcountry campsite a prized locale for overnight outings. There were even steppings in one of the stretches. The Henry Coe Meetup group is for anyone interested in getting out into Henry W. Coe State Park, whether biking, horseback riding, hiking, camping, fishing, taking photos, enjoying the beautiful vistas or just experiencing nature. Henry W Coe State Park : CA Hiking trail in . The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1 hour or less. Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California and protects and preserves 87,000 acres of scenic hills and mountain ridges in the Diablo Mountain Range. Take a left and follow the ups and downs of the cattle road for 2.5 miles to Steer Ridge Trail. Record your own itinerary from the Wikiloc app, upload the … Trip Overview: ~24 mile out and back backpacking trip from the Henry Coe State Park Headquarters to Mississippi Lake and back. Hikes in the park range from leisurely loops of about a mile and a half with little elevation variation to highly ambitious backpacking loops of 50 miles or more with elevation gains and losses in thousands of feet. It once belonged to a rancher named Henry Willard Coe; his heirs donated the ranch that would become the state park bearing his name. Hikes in the park range from leisurely loops of about a mile and a half with little elevation variation to highly ambitious backpacking loops of 50 miles or more with elevation gains and losses in thousands of feet. Please refer to the Henry W. Coe State Park page on California State Parks website for the latest news on park restrictions and closures. Before you set out, you might want to ask someone in the Visitor Center to help you plan a hike that's well suited to your interests and fitness level. Henry W. Coe State Park is one of the few parks in the San Francisco Bay Area not completely overrun by visitors on the weekends.It is also one of the few parks where you can backpack and wilderness camp without needing advanced permits, which means it is also one of the most accessible parks for backpackers. Winters can get quite wet, but this makes for awe-inspiring wildflower viewing. This variety of terrain means you'll see lots of wildlife and flowers. The essential Henry Coe Hike: 10 arduous miles through the park's demanding mountainous terrain. Most people come to Coe Park to hike. Best time to go: Springtime, when the wildflowers are in bloom, and October/November, after the heat of summer has departed. Based on previous long-ish (12-15 miles per day) hikes in Henry Coe, I imagined that this route would be relatively relaxed: a worthy introduction to the park for our two friends. Climb for 2.6 miles to Steer Ridge Road. China Hole is one of the most popular destinations at Henry Coe State Park. Hike from the gate to the top of Steer Ridge, enjoying solitude, steep ascents and descents, wildlife, birds, and, oh yeah...cows. Henry W. Coe State Park hiking groups, upcoming hikes, trailheads, trails and routes. Henry W. Coe State Park: Great array of hikes - See 55 traveler reviews, 49 candid photos, and great deals for Morgan Hill, CA, at Tripadvisor. Seasoned hikers find joy in the remoteness of this park. You may want to avoid the "cattle master trail" - it is not marked, hardly visible, and mainly soft, unstable ground with many mudslides along the way. Henry W. Coe State Park sprawls over more than 87,000 acres of high ridges and low valleys southeast of San Jose. A mere two hours from the Bay Area, Henry Coe State Park is easily one of the most magical places I have ever backpacked. Being the largest State Park in Northern California its vast wilderness had no problems keeping us busy for a sunny, rainy, and overall unique five day Henry Coe backpacking trip. Follow the steep decline 1.4 miles down to Hunting Hollow Gate. China Hole Loop@Henry Coe. Henry Coe Park is best explored in the spring, because the wildflowers are its most interesting feature. The hike to Mount Sizer goes deep into the heart of the park, where the views from the heights seem to go on forever (occasionally the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra are visible on clear winter days). Frog Lake Loop is the one shining exception. When Henry Jr. died in 1943, Sada’s brother Henry inherited the ranch. Looking for a great trail in Henry W. Coe State Park, California? Thank you! If so, visit our Volunteer page. The best introduction to Henry Coe State Park south of San Jose and Silicon Valley, California The highest elevation is barely above 1,000m. China Hole trail and Manzanita point offer spectacular sweeping views of mountains, canyons and rugged terrains on all sides. A day hike to China Hole is a perfect alternative if you hate to sleep on the ground but love to get your heart pumping under the California sun. Winter can get too muddy, and summer can be too hot. Frog Lake Loop is bound to whet your appetite for further forays into the wilds of Henry Coe. Highlights include rolling hills, large oak trees, and ponds/lakes full of fish. China Hole, Coe's most popular swimming hole, is the halfway point on a 10-mile loop on Madrone Springs and China Hole Trails. At the beginning, the trail was pretty simple. Trail Guide Best Trails & Photos. Boasting the title of largest state park in northern California, Henry W. 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