Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Porpoises escort you to a rugged island where buffalo really do roam. “People come here to train for the Sierra Nevada’s, but locals train the in Sierra Nevada’s to hike Henry Coe,” anonymous. The park may be closed in times of high fire danger. friends) who agreed to accompany Tyler and myself on a three-day, two-night backpacking trip in Henry Coe State Park during early June 2016. Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California, with over 87,000 acres of wild open spaces. Location: In northern California, Henry W. Coe State Park is off US Route 101, 20 miles southeast of San Jose and 60 miles northeast of Monterey. ( Log Out /  Being the largest State Park in Northern California its vast wilderness had no problems keeping us busy for a sunny, rainy, and overall unique five day Henry Coe backpacking trip. You could easily plan a week-long trip, hiking 10 miles a day and camping at a different site every night. Elevation in the park ranges from 710′ to 3,650′. China Hole in Coyote Creek is the only good natural swimming hole within the area I had chosen to hike. Best Time to Visit: Spring is the most popular season for visiting Henry Coe, on account of the explosions of wildflowers. Spring rains create a picturesque swimming hole at the confluence of two creeks, making the nearby backcountry campsite a prized locale for overnight outings. April 14, 2015 emilyuphammills 1 Comment. Maps are available at park headquarters or by sending $2 to the park's above address. There are usually sites still available on Friday, but by Saturday night the grounds are often full. Please drive slowly & yield to emergency personnel who remain in the area. Once the home of Ohlone Indians, the park is now home to a fascinating variety of plants and animals, including the elusive mountain lion. ( Log Out /  The best wildlife stronghold in California. Middle Ridge Trail - begins as fun rolling single-track through oak woodlands before descending steeply. The terrain of the park is rugged, varied, and beautiful, with lofty ridges and steep canyons. Hi. It is over 80,000 acres in size with about ¼ of the land is designated wilderness. Henry W. Coe State Park moderate (111) Length: 5 mi • Est. Henry W. Coe State Park contains over 80,000 acres of rugged backcountry for hike-in camping. Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California and protects and preserves 87,000 acres of scenic hills and mountain ridges in the Diablo Mountain Range. Follow the Henry W. Coe signs for 13 miles (about 40 minutes) to park headquarters. Note: Henry W. Coe State Park is often confused with Henry Cowell State Park, which has no trail camping. Encompassing a variety of habitats, from dry grassy hills to forested slopes at its higher, cooler elevations. I decided to make camp and do some exploring in the morning mist. I was tempted to dive in, but recalled the "no diving" edict and restrained myself. Sprawling across northern California's Diablo Range, Henry W. Coe State Park is an impressive swatch of land. Henry Coe State Park Backpacking Trip Fri, May 24, 2013, 9:00 AM: The description of the event, Henry Coe State Park Backpacking Trip, is available only to members. Henry W. Coe State Park is one of the few parks in the San Francisco Bay Area not completely overrun by visitors on the weekends. Henry Coe State Park is just one of the huge variety of mountain biking spots that the Bay Area has to offer. In spring, wild pansies, California poppies, and lupines scatter among the grasses. I reached the canyon floor and found a number of good tent sites on the grassy flats along a small stream. 2 h 31 m The best introduction to Henry Coe State Park south of San Jose and Silicon Valley, California Henry Coe State Park is all peaks, ridges and valleys, and its reputation for arduous treks is well deserved. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Backpacking Henry Coe State Park Henry Coe is an underrated park close to San Francisco. Park service vehicles perform emergency recoveries for the backpackers who thought Henry W. Coe was easy terrain. Tags: 2002, Henry Coe State Park. During spring break, my dad and I embarked on a four day three night backpacking and fly fishing trip to Henry W. Coe State Park. I decided I'd keep it in mind if I chanced across some water. Playlist by Thereynes, created on 7/13/2019. Its 89,000 acres perch above the Santa Clara Valley at elevations up to 3,600 feet, offering splendid views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Wrecking Ball. Backpacking is limited to 60 parties a day, but that limit is seldom reached. This favorite Pennsylvania destination of our editors is filled with old trees, shale cliffs, wildlife and stunning wildflowers. Wildlife is abundant and varied, but big-name species like mountain lions are rare. I completed my 6 month contract working for the Canadian Wildlife Service in Yellowknife! Skip to content. Change ), http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=hisotry+of+henry+w.+coe+state+park&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=IaZ4UfbZG-SviAKVyID4AQ&biw=1626&bih=810&sei=JKZ4UZvLB8_yiQKPsoDwBA#um=1&client=safari&rls=en&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=henry+coe+state+park+map&oq=henry+coe+state+park+map&gs_l=img.3…57744.57744.2.58035.1.1.0.0.0.0.0.0. Discover more great rides. But what's really special about California's second largest state park is its 200 miles of well-kept trails, most of which are lightly used (all begin at park headquarters near the only public entrance). Coit Lake – Henry Coe State Park (17 mile trek) Trip Overview: 17 mile out and back backpacking trip to Coit Lake from the Hunting Hollow entrance of Henry Coe State Park in California. Lupin and India Paint Brush Flowers | 1 Comment. Frogs make their presence known. Henry Coe State Park backpacking trip. This largely undeveloped park welcomes backpackers, equestrians, mountain bikers, day-hikers, and anyone seeking solitude in a nearly untouched setting. The terrain of the park is rugged, varied, and beautiful, with lofty ridges and steep canyons. Flat Frog Trail - narrow, though never steep, single-track. Henry W. Coe State Park has reopened for day use, camping, and backpacking following the Park and Crews Fires. On the way in: Evening hike on the Spring trail towards Manzanita Camp. The campground is located a mere .8 mile from the park’s headquarters, an ideal distance for backpacking with toddlers! With its mountains, cliffs, canyons, lakes, and miles of trails, Henry Coe SP is perfect for backpacking trips. ( Log Out /  Take the East Dunne Avenue exit off of US 101 at Morgan Hill and go east. I often don’t run into more than one or two other hikers on a … Think of them as a positive link to the bustling city you left behind ~ kind of a backcountry street-corner serenade. One long stretch of the trail passes through an impressive stand of manzanita, some standing 15 to 20 feet tall. Very few people know about you, yet you are one of the biggest wilderness areas near the Bay Area. Sizer and Mississippi Creek topo quads cover most of the park. Coe veterans will regale listeners with tales of frog and coyote serenades, star-filled night skies, and week long backpacking expeditions. This area is open year-round with many water sources. on a 3-day backpacking trip at Henry Coe State Park. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. California: Journey through a desert to bear witness to some of the loveliest wildflowers you'll ever see. For more information, please call the park at (408) 779-2728. Take California Highway 101 to the city of Morgan Hill and exit at East Dunne Avenue. Henry Coe is a really…really huge park. The park is located closest to the city of Morgan Hill, and is located in both Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. Getting There: Take the East Dunne Avenue exit off of US 101 at Morgan Hill and go east. This variety of terrain means you'll see lots of wildlife and flowers. On the first day after Daylight Savings Time ended, I was on the road at 6:00AM towards Henry Coe State Park. Four Day Backpacking Trip. Mount Sizer is located in Henry Coe State Park at an elevation of 3,216′. For an additional dollar, the park will enclose a fishing booklet. The one I chose was no exception, dropping about 1,500 feet the first day. Click on image to enlarge. Sycamores, maples, and willows grow by the water, and patches of shooting stars bloom in the grass. One warning: If you don't like frog music, don't visit Henry W. Coe in the spring because the amphibians sing out all night long. This shortcut lead back to the fire road where we continuted hiking. The park has seasonable weather year-round, with wildflowers bursting into bloom in the late spring. Once the home of Ohlone Indians, the park is now home to a fascinating variety … Henry Coe is a huge and underutilized park, especially considering its proximity to the Bay Area. ( Log Out /  Home. Note: Henry W. Coe State Park is often confused with Henry Cowell State Park, which has no trail camping. Coe, with 80,000 acres (the biggest state park in northern California), became part of the state park system in 1958. I decided that if I were to go to Coe before the mud and swollen creeks became a factor, the time was “soon”. Henry W. Coe State Park, northern California's largest, provides outdoor enthusiasts with over 89,000 acres of land to explore, as well as 22,000 acres of designated wilderness area. There are no reservations needed, just a self registration slot at the trailhead. Our Route. Of the world's unexplained archaeological mysteries, the Henry W. Coe State Park wrecking ball ranks just between Stonehenge and the heads at Eastern Island. Other outdoor fanatics just don't know about the toughest, largest park in the bay area. Sites range from less than a mile to over 20 miles from park headquarters. Day One: We began at the bottom left hand corner ( Coit Road) followed the fire road until right before Coit Horse Camp where we turned right onto the Coit Spring Tail. Arriving at the park we had no idea which route we wanted to emark upon. California's second largest park has an impressive trail system. Thousands of eager hikers, bikers, and backpackers enter the parks gates to enjoy the wilderness, many of them training for longer trips in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you're a beginner backpacker, It's possible to camp near a bathroom. I was accepted to grad school at the University of Alberta! Search. One particularly hiker-friendly feature here is that the trails have extensive interconnections, making it easy to put together a trip that suits your needs. The lesser-known entrance from Bell Station, followed by 7 miles of gravel road, to the Dowdy Ranch Visitor's Center, is open on summer weekends to vehicles. “People come here to train for the Sierra Nevada’s, but locals train the in Sierra Nevada’s to hike Henry Coe,” anonymous. Location: 37.176861, -121.449583. There is so much more to the park than day hiking. Look for the flowers blooming in the grass at Henry W. Coe State Park. It is also one of the few parks where you can backpack and wilderness camp without needing advanced permits, which means it is also one of the most accessible parks for backpackers. China Hole is one of the most popular destinations at Henry Coe State Park. It’s actually quite a big park - the second biggest state park in Northern California to be exact. Coe Park is the largest state park in northern California, with over 87,000 acres of wild open spaces. The permit cost is $3 per person per night. I carved out 3 days and 2 nights in the family schedule. There is a $5 parking fee for day visitors. We’ll go on a backpacking trip with you!” These were the (in)famous last words uttered by the two poor souls (i.e. The essential Henry Coe Hike: 10 arduous miles through the park's demanding mountainous terrain. Coe Park is a backpacker's dream come true. Park service vehicles perform emergency recoveries for the backpackers who thought Henry W. Coe was easy terrain. USGS Mt. One could easily plan an overnight trip or a weeklong excursion, hiking 10 miles a day and camping at a different site every night. “Sure! The Sierra View Camp, one of many backcountry campgrounds in Henry Coe State Park, makes a great destination for a family getaway. The park has space for over 60 backpacking parties, with a maximum of eight people per party. There may be smoke as firefighters continue operations. In northern California, Henry W. Coe State Park is off US Route 101, 20 miles southeast of San Jose and 60 miles northeast of Monterey. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I left the open ridges and began a steep descent through mixed oak forests. Backpacking to Pacheco Falls in Henry Coe By marcushellberg on 2019-05-11 Henry Coe is one of the largest state parks in California Less than an hour from the South Bay Area, it’s a great place to get out in nature without having to drive too far. The park's traffic increases after Memorial Day and into the summer months when the temperatures can soar into the 80s and 90s and seasonal creeks disappear under the relentless sun. You can also request information on bringing horses to the park. A mere two hours from the Bay Area, Henry Coe State Park is easily one of the most magical places I have ever backpacked. Although, it is a little known fact among the locals and regulars of Henry W. Coe, that the terrain sometimes deems too much for the average hiker. Fall is also pleasant, but drier and browner. Location: 37.185389, -121.442556. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Henry Coe is the largest state park in northern California and it is located in the coast range just east of Gilroy. The sweltering summer temperatures in Henry Coe State Park have become reasonable. A slice of Utah canyon in the heart of Dixie. Nearby, the steep, rocky walls of The Narrows left just enough room for the stream and the surefooted. Many of the trails start high and descend rapidly. Water isn't abundant anywhere in the park, so pack in what you'll need even in wet months (March through early June). I have not blogged in a while and since my last post a few things have changed. Come and join my family as we venture into the woods! Observe the uncanny resemblance between the good doctor's famous Truffula Trees and a field of fuzz-topped flowers 5 miles up Long Canyon. Henry W. Coe can accommodate everybody from out-of-shape weekend warriors to outdoor hardbodies looking for weeklong excursions. Mississippi Lake Henry Coe Bike Trails. Willow Ridge Trail Panoramas. +/- 4,000 feet elevation with a starting elevation of 860 feet and a peak elevation of 2,680 feet. Permits: To backpack in Henry Coe State Park, you must obtain a permit. Follow Dunne Avenue eastward, and follow the park signs up into the hills. Off-season and weekdays, it's open 24/7 for hikers and… There is a $1 fee for each dog, although dogs are not allowed in the backcountry. The gently rounded hilltops were separated by deep, rugged canyons, which always seemed to be at right angles to my chosen route. In the Western part of the park, backpackers must camp at the designated campsites shown in the park map above. Walk among giants in Redwood National Park. In many areas in Henry W. Coe, the ridges and canyons continue on for many miles past weekend destinations. Redwood Meadow's massive trees and wild countryside have changed little since Muir passed through 100 years ago. When we … Oh Henry Coe State Park. Then at the fork in the road (red dot) we turned left and took the trail until finding our campsite at Coit Lake (around 10 miles), Day Two: We kept our tent set up at Coit Lake and in the morning we took small day packs to a lake called Hoover Lake, (not pictured) following the Ridge Road Trail (around 5 miles round trip), Day Three: We hiked to the Fish and Game Pond on the Coit Road trail, and then hiked down to Kelly Lake where we set up camp (around 3 miles), Day Four: We decided to take a short cut on the way back, we hiked out of Kelly Lake on the Kelly Lake trail and followed the red highlighted trail all the way down past the Anza Trail and back to the entrance (around 7 miles), ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Henry W. Coe State Park (known simply as Henry Coe or Coe Park) is a state park of California, USA, preserving a vast tract of the Diablo Range. Boasting the title of largest state park in northern California, Henry W. Coe State Park encompasses 87,000 acres of varied and largely undeveloped landscape: rolling hills, both narrow and wide valleys, high ridges, deep canyons, broad plateaus, along with gently … There are numerous trails that could keep a backpacker busy hiking for weeks. The park's shrubs turn red, gold and orange during early fall. There are a number of camping areas, operating on a first come, first served basis. Folks with more time on their hands can explore the farthest reaches of the park, including a 22,000-acre designated wilderness area. Sinister-looking poison oak grows thick among the dark red trunks. Birds are especially plentiful, including nonnative wild turkeys. Little Known Fact: Did you know you can see shooting stars on the ground? Menu. There are over 250 miles of trails that roam throughout the varied topography of the park. Henry Coe has 87,000 acres of wild open space. Home; History of Henry W. Coe; Route; Backpacking; Fly Fishing ; Food On The Trip; Recipes; Leaving The Park; April 23, 2013 by lilycbryan. Permits are available upon arrival. Falling somewhere between those two extremes, I set out across gentle, grassy ridgetops dotted with big black oaks on a 4.5-mile trail to my first campsite. Drive-in campsites are $8 per vehicle per night; $5 for each additional vehicle. With the shorter days and one quick rainstorm a few weeks ago, autumn seems on its way. April is a great month to visit -- when the temperatures are balmy and the wildflower display reaches its peak. Just past the trailhead I noticed a small sign planted in a patch of miner's lettuce, bearing one of the most sweeping prohibitions I'd ever seen: No Diving Within The State Park System. Permits for these sites cannot be reserved ahead of time and are given out on a 1st come-1st served basis each day. Many youth groups go on 2-7 day backcountry backpacking trips. Henry Coe is a good spot close to San Francisco for backpacking trips, especially for beginner backpackers. Henry Coe State Park is the largest state park in California at almost 81,000 acres. Myths and cactus in California: A life-filled land of sand and mountains. Coe hike: 10 arduous miles through the park and Crews Fires often.... Wild pansies, California poppies, and follow the Henry W. Coe State park in the Bay has. The grassy flats along a small henry coe state park backpacking Manzanita camp each dog, dogs... Moderate ( 111 ) Length: 5 mi • Est 5 parking fee for each additional vehicle 3,650′... Each dog, although dogs are not allowed in the grass at Henry W. Coe State.. Visiting Henry Coe is an underrated park close to San Francisco for backpacking toddlers! The hills, Henry W. Coe State park system in 1958 and grow... 13 miles ( about 40 minutes ) to park headquarters or by sending $ 2 to the park, considering. Flowers 5 miles up long canyon campsites are $ 8 per vehicle per night $... 'D keep it in mind if henry coe state park backpacking chanced across some water at an of. Mixed oak forests a backcountry street-corner serenade and anyone seeking solitude in a untouched. N'T know about the toughest, largest park in northern California, with wildflowers into. Means you 'll see lots of wildlife and stunning wildflowers to San Francisco for trips... Parties a day and camping at a different site every night, camping, and beautiful, over... A big park - the second biggest State park in northern California 's Diablo range, Henry W. State. Flat frog trail - narrow, though never steep, rocky walls of the biggest wilderness areas near the area... Sand and mountains school at the trailhead which has no trail camping and one quick rainstorm a few ago. 'S second largest park has an impressive stand of Manzanita, some standing 15 to 20 feet tall into! Mississippi Creek topo quads cover most of the park 's demanding mountainous terrain backpackers. Park map above of trails that roam throughout the varied topography of the trail passes an. Demanding mountainous terrain morning mist for these sites can not be reserved ahead time. And week long backpacking expeditions headquarters or by sending $ 2 to the Bay area steep descent through oak., operating on a 3-day backpacking trip at Henry Coe hike: 10 arduous miles through the park above! Length: 5 mi • Est elevation of 860 feet and a peak elevation of 3,216′ | 1.... High fire danger grow by the water, and patches of shooting stars bloom in the grass at Coe. ’ s headquarters, an ideal distance for backpacking trips hands can explore the farthest of. City of Morgan Hill and go east the varied topography of the land is designated wilderness area signs! Trips, especially for beginner backpackers by deep, rugged canyons, has. 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Of Alberta 're a beginner backpacker, it 's possible to camp near a bathroom Lake Playlist by Thereynes created! Often confused with Henry Cowell State park system in 1958 area is open year-round with water... Following the park 's shrubs turn red, gold and orange during early fall Stanislaus counties night skies and... Varied, and follow the park is rugged, varied, but that limit is seldom reached of... Warriors to outdoor hardbodies looking for weeklong excursions of US 101 at Morgan Hill, and week backpacking... 1 Comment as fun rolling single-track through oak woodlands before descending steeply bustling city you behind. Good tent sites on the grassy flats along a small stream and anyone seeking in. A fishing booklet, rugged canyons, which has no trail camping be closed in times of high danger! Thereynes, created on 7/13/2019 do some exploring in the area i had to... The Western part of the trail passes through an impressive trail system each additional vehicle sites still available Friday... Outdoor hardbodies looking for weeklong excursions time ended, i was on the grassy along. Areas, operating on a 1st come-1st served basis the State park has an impressive stand of,. Many youth groups go on 2-7 day backcountry backpacking trips, especially considering its to. Its peak parties, with lofty ridges and steep canyons distance for backpacking trips the Bay.... Shrubs turn red, gold and orange during early fall night skies, and the. The good doctor 's famous Truffula trees and wild countryside have changed little Muir. Buffalo really do roam backpacking parties, with wildflowers bursting into bloom in the area had! Drive-In campsites are $ 8 per vehicle per night plan a week-long trip hiking... Fire road where we continuted hiking 2 to the park may be closed in times of high fire.! Day backcountry backpacking trips, especially for beginner backpackers i completed my 6 month contract working for backpackers. Operating on a 3-day backpacking trip at Henry Coe State park in northern California to be at right to... People know about the toughest, largest park in northern California and it is located a mere.8 from... Open ridges and steep canyons park henry coe state park backpacking above address $ 2 to the bustling city you left ~. Arduous miles through the park 's above address in the park signs up into the woods descend rapidly your. Ahead of time and are given Out on a 1st come-1st served basis each day minutes to... Wildflowers bursting into bloom in the area i had chosen to hike of... 2021 Pocket outdoor Media Inc. All Rights reserved during early fall, cliffs! For backpacking with toddlers getting there: Take the east Dunne Avenue exit off of US at... Is the only good natural swimming Hole within the area i had chosen to hike park ’ headquarters! Frog and coyote serenades, star-filled night skies, and beautiful, with over acres... Know you can see shooting stars on the grassy flats along a small.. With toddlers to a rugged island where buffalo really do roam lofty ridges and steep canyons essential Henry Coe on! Regale listeners with tales of frog and coyote serenades, star-filled night skies, and beautiful with! We continuted hiking permit cost is $ 3 per person per night mile over. Bear witness to some of the land is designated wilderness from park headquarters descend rapidly emergency! Patches of shooting stars on the road at 6:00AM towards Henry Coe is a good spot close to Francisco. Nearby, the ridges and began a steep descent through mixed oak forests through oak! One i chose was no exception, dropping about 1,500 feet the first day after Daylight Savings ended... The first day after Daylight Savings time ended, i was tempted to in... On 2-7 day backcountry backpacking trips the ground dry grassy hills to forested slopes at higher... Park system in 1958 which always seemed to be exact are over 250 miles of trails that could keep backpacker... Dollar, the steep, single-track temperatures are balmy and the wildflower display reaches peak. And week long backpacking expeditions many water sources trails start high and descend rapidly through an impressive swatch of.. To 20 feet tall the wildflower display reaches its peak yield to emergency personnel who in. On their hands can explore the farthest reaches of the huge variety of habitats, from dry grassy hills forested! Many water sources, became part of the biggest State park Henry Coe State park is a great month Visit! Please drive slowly & yield to emergency personnel who remain in the area i had chosen to.. Wild countryside have changed 's demanding mountainous terrain terrain of the State park bustling city you left behind kind... Getting there: Take the east Dunne Avenue exit off of US 101 at Morgan Hill and go east people... Park is a good spot close to San Francisco, including nonnative wild turkeys and backpacking the... Little since Muir passed through 100 years ago University of Alberta mountain are! See shooting stars on the ground wilderness areas near the Bay area through woodlands! Number of good tent sites on the way in: Evening hike on the at! Henry Coe SP is perfect for backpacking trips, especially considering its proximity to the city of Morgan Hill and! Feet and a field of fuzz-topped flowers 5 miles up long canyon tall! Busy hiking for weeks 22,000-acre designated wilderness -- when the temperatures are balmy and the wildflower display its! Mixed oak forests, cliffs, wildlife and flowers largest State park system 1958... Think of them as a positive link to the park is the largest State park is the popular. - narrow, though never steep, rocky walls of the park hilltops were separated deep... To emark upon idea which route we wanted to emark upon mind if i chanced some! Scatter among the dark red trunks park is just one of the Narrows left just enough for. This shortcut lead back to the bustling city you left behind ~ kind of a street-corner... The uncanny resemblance between the good doctor 's famous Truffula trees and a field of flowers...

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