Coe Backcountry Weekend: This is the largest state park in Northern California, and the second largest in the state (after Anza Borrego State Park in Southern California). For one weekend every year, the park opens up the gates at Bell Station entrance on Highway 152, east of Gilroy. The east side of the park has beautiful wildflowers and scenic trails, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Diablo Range. Entrance is by application only (chosen by lottery), and the number of cars each day are limited. All cars with 2-day permits are allowed to drive along the Kaiser Aetna Road till Orestimba Corral. We had a two-wheel drive vehicle, but we would strongly encourage anyone driving upto Orestimba Corral to consider taking a four-wheel drive - it will be worth it. There are wide & deep potholes, creek crossings and regular depressions on the dirt road beyond Dowdy Ranch. We got valuable info from the following sites:
http://www.coepark.org/
http://www.coestatepark.com/
http://www.broadsword.com/geocaching/CachingCoe.shtml
Driving Info: From the Bay Area, take US 101-S followed by CA-152 east at Gilroy. The Bell Station entrance to the park is located around 19 miles into CA-152, on the north side. Map of the location.
Burra Burra Loop
About the Hike: Starts and ends at the Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center. Easy hike with slight elevation gain and loss. During summer, expect to encounter lots of insects, ticks (beware of lyme disease!) and poison oak (look, but don't touch!). Temperatures were quite warm, but didn't affect us since the hike was very short. This hike offers good views of the Dowdy Ranch section of the park. The hike up to Burra Burra Peak is an optional side trail just before the hike starts going downhill.
Time: Start: 10am, End: 12pm; total hiking time = approx 2hrs
Distance: Around 3mi roundtrip; elevation gain: a few hundred feet
Kingbird Pond Hike
About the Hike: Starts and ends at Orestimba Corral. Intermediate hike with slight elevation gain and loss. Again, expect to encounter insects, ticks and poison oak. Make sure to carry lots of water as the day can get very warm. We went up the trail and looped back through the dirt road. We saw a lady who had to be driven back to Orestimba Corral due to heatstroke. This hike ends at Kingbird Pond which is a pretty little lake with several campsites around it, with a few families sitting around fishing and generally relaxing.
Time: Start: 2pm, End: 6pm; total hiking time = approx 4hrs
Distance: 5.5mi roundtrip; elevation gain: 780 feet
Pictures: The first part of the album has pictures from our hikes in the Park. On the way back from the Bay Area, we drove down on CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway), and got a chance to take some nice pictures along the coastline.
http://www.coepark.org/
http://www.coestatepark.com/
http://www.broadsword.com/geocaching/CachingCoe.shtml
Driving Info: From the Bay Area, take US 101-S followed by CA-152 east at Gilroy. The Bell Station entrance to the park is located around 19 miles into CA-152, on the north side. Map of the location.
Burra Burra Loop
About the Hike: Starts and ends at the Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center. Easy hike with slight elevation gain and loss. During summer, expect to encounter lots of insects, ticks (beware of lyme disease!) and poison oak (look, but don't touch!). Temperatures were quite warm, but didn't affect us since the hike was very short. This hike offers good views of the Dowdy Ranch section of the park. The hike up to Burra Burra Peak is an optional side trail just before the hike starts going downhill.
Time: Start: 10am, End: 12pm; total hiking time = approx 2hrs
Distance: Around 3mi roundtrip; elevation gain: a few hundred feet
Kingbird Pond Hike
About the Hike: Starts and ends at Orestimba Corral. Intermediate hike with slight elevation gain and loss. Again, expect to encounter insects, ticks and poison oak. Make sure to carry lots of water as the day can get very warm. We went up the trail and looped back through the dirt road. We saw a lady who had to be driven back to Orestimba Corral due to heatstroke. This hike ends at Kingbird Pond which is a pretty little lake with several campsites around it, with a few families sitting around fishing and generally relaxing.
Time: Start: 2pm, End: 6pm; total hiking time = approx 4hrs
Distance: 5.5mi roundtrip; elevation gain: 780 feet
Pictures: The first part of the album has pictures from our hikes in the Park. On the way back from the Bay Area, we drove down on CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway), and got a chance to take some nice pictures along the coastline.
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| Henry Coe State Park |
