Erick ’ s Bench / Coe Park
Henry W . Coe State Park , just to the north east of Morgan Hill , 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 .
Just 14 miles up Dunne Avenue is the entrance to Henry W . Coe and a whole host of hiking opportunities . For starters Ron recommends the Forest Trail - Springs Trail loop . From the park headquarters it is about a 3.5-mile level hike . The first part is the Forest Trail with north facing vistas . The trail then connects with the Springs Trail with south facing views .
From the park headquarters and for the more ambitious is a longer loop of 6.5 miles , the Middle Ridge Loop . The trail has some challenging ups and downs but some great valley and Blue Ridge views . Plan on three-plus hours to make the loop .
Just a short walk from the headquarters is a great slow-down spot , “ Erick ’ s Bench .” This is one of those spots that defies the
View down Pine Ridge on the tail to the top of Coe Park
thought that you are only a few miles from city hustle and bustle . It feels more like a high Sierra foothill . Bring a lunch or a book and take in the quiet , majestic views and beautiful pines .
Still in Coe but from the Hunting Hollow entrance is the Jim Donnelly Trail that offers a well-graded trail and spectacular views of the surrounding hills , Coyote Creek and Anderson Lake . Entrance : From Gilroy Hot Springs Road past Coyote
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