Photo of Coyote Lake Courtesy of Ron Erskine
Henry W. Coe State Park, just to the north east of Gilroy, is the largest state park in Northern California, encompassing 87,000 acres and offering over 250 miles of hiking trails. There are three main entrances to the park: 1) off Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill, 10 miles east of Anderson Lake, 2) Hunting Hollow in Gilroy off Roop Road( the road that ends at Gilroy Hot Springs), and 3) the newest entrance, Dowdy Ranch at Bells Station off Pacheco Pass Highway.
The Jim Donnally Trail at the Hunting Hollow entrance offers a well graded trail and spectacular views of the surrounding hills, Coyote Creek and Lake. Entrance: From Gilroy Hot Springs Road past Coyote Reservoir, about 10 miles out of Gilroy.
Coyote Lake / Harvey Bear Ranch County Park just east of Gilroy covers 4,595 acres with a 635 acre lake. It offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating, tent and RV camping, picnicking, hiking, off road biking and horseback riding. There are some 30 miles of marked trails. Two of Ron’ s favorite hiking trails:
Mummy Mountain Trail near the south end of Coyote Lake offers spectacular views close to a high Sierra experience. Entrance: Mendoza Ranch Entrance off of Roop Road. AND, Ed
Willson Trail near the north end of Coyote Lake presents more tremendous views and a perch overlooking Coyote Dam. Entrance: Off Roop Road. Pay the day use fee for Coyote Lake and go to the last parking area at the north end of the lake near the spillway.
A new place worth checking out is Rancho Cañada del Oro in the County Open Space Authority just southwest of Calero County Park. This area was added in 2003. Calero has two distinct areas, the reservoir for water related activities and the back country for hiking and horse riding. Including the Rancho Cañada del Oro area there are over 20 miles of hiking trails. The area offers some spectacular vistas up the Bald Peaks Trail and as a new area, is more pristine. Entrance: West of Highway 101 Bailey to McKean to Casa Loma Road.
For people looking for an ambitious hike, check out the combination of the Sprig, Rock Springs and the Merry Go Round Trails from Sprig Lake, a long, challenging and ever changing trail. Both trails are in Mount Madonna County Park which covers over 3,200 acres overlooking Gilroy on the east and Watsonville and Monterey Bay on the west. The park has camping, horse trails, and hiking. There also are many stunning coastal redwood groves throughout the park. Entrance: The east side of Sprig Lake is off Hecker Pass Highway, 4.8 miles west of Gilroy.
If you’ re looking for an unique hike, you might want to try Pacheco State
Park. Only 26 miles from Gilroy, Pacheco State Park offers 28 miles of trails with stunning views of the lake, rolling hills and solitude. Entrance: 152 East to Dinosaur Point Road and follow the signs to the Spikes Peak Trail and choose another trail to loop back.
Also, down the road is Pinnacle National Park. Ron especially likes the High Peaks – Bear Gulch Loop for the views and spring wildflowers. Another great trail is the Chalone Peak
Trail to North Chalone Peak that takes hikers to the highest point in the Park. Pinnacles National Park, formerly known as Pinnacles National Monument, owes its uniqueness to the ancient volcano that created its rock formations. Today it encompasses 26,000 acres and is home to many unique flora and fauna including the majestic California Condor. Entrance: 44 miles from Gilroy to Hollister and Highway 25 at the Chaparral Ranger Station.
For more descriptions and information on over 40 hikes, check out the Gilroy Dispatch archives under the title“ So many trails, such a beautiful location.”
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