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Wild Recovery
San Jose, California
February 28, 2009
Coyote Hills Regional Park
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Coyote Hills Regional Park
February 28, 2009
10:00 AM

The Place

Coyote Hills Regional Park lies along the north-eastern coast of the San Francisco Bay. The small hills were actually an island at one time and are remnants of the Diablo Foothills. Through time and human help the marshlands to the east were developed. This area provides an attractive nesting ground for birds of all kinds. 


The history of the region is long and varied; from Ohlone settlements, to missile depots, from farmland, to duck hunting lodges, from salt production ponds, to urban runoff treatment. 
A visitor's center displays most of the history and is worth taking a look.


The Hike

Level 1.5 - Miles (without dogs) = 6.6, Miles (with dogs) = 5.1 - Elevation 300'

Our hike will be a combination of flat meandering and heart pounding climbs. Our trek will also include both paved bike trails and dirt 'hiker only' trails so stay alert for traffic. We will start from the south portion of the Quarry Staging Area along the Bay. view Trail to the Meadowlark (loop) Trail. This will lead us back to the Bayview Trail along the western side of the hills. We will venture up the Soaproot Trail to the Red Hill Trail. This is where we will experience our elevation gain. We will lose and regain the elevation several times along the route. Our meeting spot will be off the Red Hill Trail sporting spectacular views of the bay. On our way back we will join up with the Alameda Creek Trail for a mile stretch and venture back into Coyote Hills Regional Park via the Dust Trail. The Muskrat Trail will take us by the Visitors Center and back over to the Quarry Staging Area. Though dogs are allowed in the park, on a leash at all times, there are several trails where they are not welcome. These include half of the Meadowlark Trail, the Dust Trail and the Muskrat Trail. For those of you planning to bring your four legged friends, you will be able to stay with the group by rerouting the same side of the Meadowlark Trail loop on the first half of our hike and simply heading back after the meeting from the Red Hill Trail to the Bayview Trail, skipping the Dust and Muskrat Trails all together. This will only result in a mile and a half loss in total. This is a great hike for beginners with just enough length and elevation for the more experienced.

 

 


Getting There


From San Jose, take 85 north to 101 north toward San Francisco. Exit Willow Road East heading toward Dumbarton Bridge. Follow signs, turn right on CA-84 and cross the bridge. Exit #36 Thornton Ave/Paseo Padre Pkwy and turn left on Paseo Padre. Turn right onto Patterson Ranch Road. This road is not signed well but you will see a brown Coyote Hills Regional Park sign on your left and the right side of the street will be Commerce Dr. Park entrance is $5 and is payable at a machine so have small bills handy. Dogs are allowed at an additional $2 fee which is also payable at the entrance. We will meet at the Quarry Staging Area which is the first parking lot on the left. On the way home we can take Thornton to 880 south to avoid paying the Dumbarton Bridge toll.


Drive time from San Jose is estimated at 30 minutes





 

Walking the Walk

Our hike will be a combination of flat meandering and heart pounding climbs. Our trek will also include both paved bike trails and dirt 'hiker only' trails so stay alert for traffic. We will start from the south portion of the Quarry Staging Area along the Bay. view Trail to the Meadowlark (loop) Trail. This will lead us back to the Bayview Trail along the western side of the hills. We will venture up the Soaproot Trail to the Red Hill Trail. This is where we will experience our elevation gain. We will lose and regain the elevation several times along the route. Our meeting spot will be off the Red Hill Trail sporting spectacular views of the bay. 

 


 

 

On our way back we will join up with the Alameda Creek Trail for a mile stretch and venture back into Coyote Hills Regional Park via the Dust Trail. The Muskrat Trail will take us by the Visitors Center and back over to the Quarry Staging Area. Though dogs are allowed in the park, on a leash at all times, there are several trails where they are not welcome. These include half of the Meadowlark Trail, the Dust Trail and the Muskrat Trail. For those of you planning to bring your four legged friends, you will be able to stay with the group by rerouting the same side of the Meadowlark Trail loop on the first half of our hike and simply heading back after the meeting from the Red Hill Trail to the Bayview Trail, skipping the Dust and Muskrat Trails all together. This will only result in a mile and a half loss in total. This is a great hike for beginners with just enough length and elevation for the more experienced. 

Know Before You Go

The park is an open space and the hike is in winter. Remember that Wild Recovery hikes occur in rain or shine. Please bring raingear, umbrellas and dry clothes to change into in the event of rain showers. It is along the bay and though on the times of my scouting the wind was calm and the temperature was mild; it may not be the case on the day of the hike. Plan accordingly.



Wild Recovery Meetings | What to Wear & Bring | Trail Maps/ Park Info
What is Wild Recovery? | NA Online Resources | Contact Us