In
brief:
7.6 mile loop through oaks and grassland at a former mercury mine site.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 7.6 mile loop hike is moderate. Trailhead elevation is about
700 feet. The park's highest elevation is about 1740 feet. The featured
hike climbs in two stages from the trailhead to about 1600 feet, with one
brief moderately steep trail. One section on the return leg descends steeply
in sections. Total elevation change for this hike is about 1630 feet.
Exposure:
Mostly exposed.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.
Hiking time:
4 hours.
Season:
Nice any time; lovely in autumn and spring.
Getting there:
From Interstate 280 in Santa Clara County, take CA 85 south (toward Gilroy). After
about 12 miles, exit at Almaden Expressway, stay in either of the ramp's
two right lanes, make the first left, then the next right onto Almaden Expressway. Drive
about 4 miles, then turn right onto Almaden Road. Drive on Almaden
about 3 miles to the Hacienda Trailhead on the right side of the road. (If
you reach the Hicks Road intersection you've gone too far.)
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude
37°10'26.28"N
Longitude 121°49'30.95"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Pay phones, gas, stores, and restaurants back near CA 85. No camping.
Trailhead details:
No entrance or parking fees. The Hacienda Trailhead is a large unpaved lot
(can get crowded with horse trailers). Vault toilets. Maps available at the information
signboard. There are other trailheads at Webb Canyon Road (street parking
only) and Mockingbird Hill Lane and Hicks/Wood Road. Public transportation
is available: visit Transit
Info for details.
Rules:
Some trails are multi-use, others are restricted to hikers and equestrians,
and a few are designated hiking only. Dogs are allowed in all areas of the park on a 6 foot or less leash. The park
is open from 8 a.m. to sunset.
The Official Story:
SCCP's
Almaden Quicksilver page
Park office 408-268-3883
Map & book choices/More Info:
• Map
from SCCP (download the Almaden Quicksilver pdf).
• A slightly different Almaden Quicksilver hike is described and mapped in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco, by Jane Huber (yup, that's me, the creator of this website). Order this book from Amazon.com.
• View photos at the Wildflowers of Almaden Quicksilver County Park website.
• Geology Trails of Northern California, by Robin C. Johnson and Dot Lofstrom
(
order this book from Amazon.com) has a nice geological description of Almaden Quicksilver.
• Read the Bay Nature article "Legacy of the Red Ore"
Almaden Quicksilver in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page