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. Besides its size, the park is notable for a mostly intact flora. I carved out 3 days and 2 nights in the family schedule. Stakes, a mile north of the park's northern boundary. In other areas it may be dominated by other trees, but if the habitat will support trees, blue oak is usually there. Hotels near Henry W. Coe State Park, Morgan Hill on Tripadvisor: Find 6,138 traveler reviews, 2,463 candid photos, and prices for 711 hotels near Henry W. Coe State Park in Morgan Hill, CA. Located in the Diablo Range backcountry east of Morgan Hill, CA - between the San Antonio Valley (north) and Pacheco Pass (south), the park consists of a series of high ridges separated by steep walled canyons, with occasional level valley bottoms and distinct peaks. Once common, but now extinct in the region, were the California grizzly bear and California condor. The park contains dozens of reservoirs created by the former ranch owners for watering cattle and for recreational fishing and hunting. Please drive slowly & yield to emergency personnel who remain in the area. I even stopped for the views along the road and the sunset was just stunning as if I was seeing it from an airplane. Ponderosa pines dominate parts of three ridges in the west: Pine, Middle, and Blue, usually crowning the summits, but often extending down into cooler canyon slopes. Coyote Creek flows into Coyote Lake and Anderson Lake, and then north through San Jose into the San Francisco Bay. [9][10] There is excellent parking for equestrians. 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.The park is located closest to the city of Morgan Hill, and is located in both Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. The park is located closest to the city of Morgan Hill, and is located in both Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. [6] The person responsible for the fire came forward, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge, and was ultimately ordered to pay $750,000 in restitution. Bikers and backpackers can access the park via this road at any time, provided they are willing to hike or ride the seven steep miles to the park boundary. Prominent ridges and peaks in the park, from west to east and north to south, include Pine Ridge, Middle Ridge, Blue Ridge (with Mount Sizer the highest point), Rock House Ridge, Bear Mountain, Bear Mountain Peak, Robison Mountain (not Robinson Mountain as it is too often misspelled), Rooster Comb, Palassou Ridge, Mahoney Ridge (and Mahoney Meadows), Willow Ridge, Pacheco Ridge, Mustang Peak, Walsh Peak, Willson Field Hill, Wasno Ridge, Burra Burra Peak, Willson Peak, Rock Springs Peak, and Phegley Ridge. Country. [11][12] Permits are required, but are usually easy to obtain, except on busy spring weekends. The park is so large and there are so many roads and trails, that one could plan a route covering ten miles per day, at a different campsite each night, and go two weeks without ever using the same trail or dirt road. Cañada de la Dormida independently reaches Pacheco Creek outside of the park boundaries. About 170 species of birds have been recorded in the park. The park is considered mountain bike friendly from the Hunting Hollow entrance, since there are only a few miles of trails off limits to them (though this includes the whole of Orestimba Wilderness, but this is too far away for most bicyclists to reach on a day ride). Managed within its boundaries is a designated wilderness area of about 22,000 acres (8,900 ha). The park's non-profit support group, the Pine Ridge Association, sponsors two popular annual events, a Mothers' Day Breakfast and the fall TarantulaFest. Highlights include rolling hills, … Joaquin Murrieta and his gang used the route to drive wild or stolen horses south from Contra Costa County, picking up more from stations along the way, passing into the area of the park from the San Antonio Valley via a trail that closely followed the route of County Line Road along the divide of the Diablo Range. The park has few facilities. Feb 29, 2016 - Explore CA State Parks's board "Henry W. Coe State Park", followed by 4364 people on Pinterest. This is officially known as the Henry W. Coe State Wilderness, but locally as the Orestimba Wilderness. The second major addition to Henry W. Coe State Park, the Coit Ranch, was acquired in 1980. Other notables are Coit, Kelly, Jackrabbit, and Paradise lakes. The Coyote Creek entrance is about 2 miles (3.2 km) north on Gilroy Hot Springs Road. Horses were held at several locations now contained within the park, including Valle Atravesado (now flooded by Mississippi Lake), Valle Hondo, site of Pacheco Camp, Paradise Flat and Mustang Flat. The northern part of the park, including the Orestimba Wilderness, was swept by a massive wildfire starting on September 3, 2007. Then the road got pretty winding as I traveled slowly and cautiously on E Dunne Ave from Morgan Hill to the Coe Ranch Visitor Center. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. This particular loop, from the south-western Hunting Hollow area, gives a memorable experience and a memorable leg workout! Map of Henry Coe State Park Trails – Pine Ridge area. This entrance has no parking or facilities. Most visitors at Coe Park hike or mountain bike on the numerous trails within the park. With the shorter days and one quick rainstorm a few weeks ago, autumn seems on its way. Where: Henry W. Coe State Park. Equestrians also make use of the trails, though they account for less than 1% of all visitors. Our Milky Way galaxy is filled with streams of stars, but one of them appears to be a family that includes nearly 500 relatives, according to a new study. Morgan Hill. Trip Overview: 17 mile out and back backpacking trip to Coit Lake from the Hunting Hollow entrance of Henry Coe State Park in California. You don't see skies like this back in the city, let alone be around 2,660 feet in elevation as well and also above the incoming low clouds and fog already blanketing the city of Morgan Hill below. Recreational uses include swimming, fishing and nature observation. This was during my spontaneous stargazing outing at Henry W. Coe State Park, located on the Diablo Range, near the city of Morgan Hill, CA... *My outing in summary: I left to head to the park just … This area is at the end of East Dunne Avenue, about 14 miles (23 km) east of downtown Morgan Hill. Day 3: Mississippi Lake to HQ, via Poverty Flat → Bikepacking Henry Coe State Park. This point may be considered to be on the slopes of Mt. Size: 87,000 acres, the largest state park in Northern California. 'Til next time, stay safe everyone... (Pic taken Wednesday, July 22, 2020; 10:21 p.m.), By: 54WilliamGJusto54 (weather enthusiast). Photo about Scenic view of Henry Coe State Park, California, U.S.A. Then once skies got dark enough, I started shooting Comet NEOWISE and the Milky Way (with me in the shots as well). Infrequent snowfall is light and usually persists for just a few days. Mississippi Lake, Coit Lake, and Kelly Lake are popular fishing destinations for backpackers. Coyote Creek is fed by Grizzly Creek, the Little, Middle, and East Forks of Coyote Creek, Kelly Cabin Canyon, Grizzly Gulch (not be confused with Grizzly Creek), and Hunting Hollow. All surface water in the park should be filtered before drinking to remove harmful organisms. Additionally, there are many ticks of several different species (though Lyme disease is rare in the area), as well as a few venomous rattlesnakes. 0. From West to East, and North to South, they are: The park map also shows 1) Thomas Addition (near Mt. So awesome! Stakes, at 3,804 feet (1,159 m), is the highest point in Stanislaus County). The lowest point in the main body of the park is the place where the North Fork of Pacheco Creek flows out, at about 710 feet (220 m) elevation, also in the southeast corner. Henry Coe also provides exceptional backpacking opportunities. Spring is the most popular time to visit the park, with its moderate weather, green hillsides dotted with colorful wildflowers, and flowing creeks. For more information, please call the park at (408) 779-2728. Low clouds and fog was seen rolling over the city of Morgan Hill/Gilroy below. This stands out as by far the most impressive mid or late April hike in the bay area (at least in wet years). The night sky was absolutely amazing! Currently, it can only be used by arranging to be dropped off by car, or by parking at Hunting Hollow and walking up the road. Graded in DaVinci Resolve 12.5. Visitors must leave by Sunday evening or stay until the following Saturday opening. 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