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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