If you ’ re looking for a 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 .”
Some helpful resources :
• Santa Clara County Parks , Hiking Calero County Park Coyote Creek Parkway Coyote Lake- Harvey Bear Ranch County Park Mount Madonna County Park
• Pine Ridge Association , Henry W . Coe Park
• State of California Parks Henry W . Coe Pacheco
• Pinnacles National Park
For more photos and website links , check our website : morganhilltoday . net .
ABOVE : Mount Madonna Sprig Lake Trail INSET : Coyote Creek Pool
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