Almaden Trails Archives

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Register Now for a Quicksilver History Hike

May 5, 2024/in Education, Recreation/by Therese Swan

Join an Almaden Quicksilver Park Interpreter for a Quicksilver History Hike in the Almaden Hills to discover how our changing values have impacted the landscape, and a once bustling mining enterprise became a County Park. This moderate 3-4 mile hike leaves from the Wood Road parking lot of Almaden Quicksilver County Park. This hike will cover history content that is geared towards an adult audience. Best for ages 10+

Limited space! Please only sign up a max of 4-5 people. If you know more people would like to join, please share the registration form link. Reservations are not required but they are strongly recommended as parking is limited at the trailhead.

Although dogs are allowed within the park, for the comfort and safety of the group, they are discouraged from accompanying you on the hike (with the exception of service animals). Further questions? Call 408-918-7770 or email [email protected]

Quicksilver History Hikes are offered monthly, usually on the 4th Saturday or Sunday of the month.

Quicksilver History Hike – June 2022

June 19, 2022/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

The next Quicksilver History Hike will be on June 25, 2022 from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Join a Park Interpreter to explore what remains of the once-bustling mining operations in the hills above New Almaden. This moderate, 3-4 mile hike in Almaden Quicksilver County Park leaves from the Wood Road parking lot off Hicks Road in San Jose. Dress in layers with sturdy shoes, sun protection, and bring plenty of drinking water. There are no bathrooms nor drinking fountains along the hike.

Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. This hike is offered once a month. Registration for the hike opens on the 1st of the month that the hike is offered. To reserve space on the upcoming History Hike, go to the Quicksilver History Hike page of the Santa Clara County Parks website.

Questions? Call 408-918-7700 or email [email protected].

Quicksilver History Hike – April 2022

April 3, 2022/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

The next Quicksilver History Hike will be on April 24, 2022 from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Questions? Call 408-918-7700 or email [email protected].

On the Wildflower Trail in Almaden

March 26, 2019/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

Wildflower trail Almaden Spring is well and truly upon us, and with it comes the enchantment and wonder of the wildflowers. After a particularly wet winter, the hills around Almaden Valley and the nature parks surrounding it are now bejewelled in a riot of colors in the form of spring wildflowers. Besides the poppies, daisies and clovers carpeting the meadows, one can also find the jewelflower, the California gilia, the California buttercup, brodiaea, baby blue eyes, woodland star and the shooting star, among other varieties dotting the hills.

For the avid nature lover and photographer in you, the following trails in the county parks surrounding Almaden Valley are bound to delight in their abundance of wildflowers.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park:

Senador Trail to Guadalupe
Trail to Mine Hill
Castillero Trail

Calero County Park:

Serpentine Loop Trail

Coyote Lake – Harvey Bear Ranch County Park:

Coyote Ridge Trail
Calaveras Trail

Santa Teresa County Park:

Rocky Ridge Trail
Stiles Trail

Grant County Park:

San Felipe Trail at Corral Trail
Halls Valley Trail
Brush Trail at Dutch Flat Trail

Whether you are a dedicated outdoors person or prefer to explore nature at leisure, now is the time to hit the trails. Walk or hike on these easily accessible trails and experience the many splendours of spring wildflowers in Almaden.

For more information, visit: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Whats-Happening/Documents/sccp-wldlfr17-web.pdf

Mt. Umunhum Opens to the Public

September 17, 2017/in Community, Recreation/by Therese Swan

The long wait is finally over! The summit of Mt. Umunhum is now open to the public. With its landmark cube tower visible to the Almaden Valley and all over the South Bay, the reopening of this summit after 37 years has been a much anticipated even.

At an altitude of 3,486 feet, Mt. Umunhum is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains within the Sierra Azul Open Preserve. In recent years, it attracted a lot of attention from conservationists and nature enthusiasts, especially for its military contribution as an early warning radar station during the cold war years.

The summit offers stunning views of the peninsula extending to Monterey Bay, and at times even the Sierra Nevada range. The area surrounding the peak has new trails leading up to the summit, notably the 4-mile Mt. Umunhum trail, starting from the Bald Mountain parking lot.

The facilities at the top include a parking lot for about 54 cars, a restroom, a summit shelter, a viewpoint, a trailhead shelter and picnic tables.

Mt. Umunhum is definitely a must visit. Almaden residents now have an accessible peak comparable to Mt. Diablo and Mt. Hamilton. For more information, visit: https://www.openspace.org/mount-umunhum

Almaden Quicksilver Park Healthy Trails Five-Mile Hike

October 28, 2012/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

New Almaden Quicksilver Park Map Get yourself in shape and join the staff at Almaden Quicksilver Park for a challenging Healthy Trails Hike on Sunday, November 4, 2012 from 10am to 1:30pm.

This hike will be rigorous. It will cover 5.2 miles and wind through the Deep Gulch, English Camp, Mine Hill, and Castillero Trails.

Healthy Tails Dog Hike

October 20, 2011/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

Almaden Valley neighbors, leash up your dogs and join the Healthy “Tails” dog hike at Quicksilver Park on Saturday, November 5 from 9am to 11am. A guide from California K9 Solutions will be teaching participants how to enjoy outdoor activities as they and their dogs hike the 2.5 mile Wood Road Trail. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet long, and registration is required. Call (408) 355-2240 or register online at Santa Clara County Parks.

3-Mile Fall Nature Hike in Calero’s Rancho San Vicente

September 11, 2011/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

Join a Park Docent on a 3-mile hike to enjoy the changing landscape of Fall at Rancho San Vicente.

Enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding foothills and discover how these rolling serpentine grasslands provide critical habitat for endangered species.

Meet at Calero Reservoir, then carpool to a trail nearby. Bring water, snacks and camera. Wear sun protection and sturdy hiking shoes. No dogs.

This is a guided hike in a “closed area” not yet open for public access, group travels together. Restrooms not available. except at reservoir meeting location.

The hike is Saturday, October 15, 2011, 9am-12pm. Reservations required. Register online or call (408) 355-224.

Healthy Trails Hike at Calero Park

September 11, 2011/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

Join a Park Docent on 3.0-mile easy hike along the Figueroa, Vallecito, Pena, and Los Cerritos Trails. Stop by the Los Cerritos Pond and view the majestic winter woodland landscape. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and sun protection.

Meet at the parking lot near the Calero Ranger Office. The hike is Saturday, January 21, 2012, 9am-11:30am. For more information, call (408) 355-2240.

Healthy Trails Hike in Almaden Quicksilver County Park

September 11, 2011/1 Comment/in Recreation/by Therese Swan

Join a Park Docent on a moderately challenging 4.5-mile hike along the Wood Road, Castillero, and Mine Hill Trails.

View remnants of the expansive mercury mining operation as you explore nature and history. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and sunscreen. Bring water, snacks and a camera.

Meet at the Wood Road parking lot on Hicks Road. The hike is Saturday, February 18, 2012, 9am-1pm. For more information, call (408) 355-2240.