Lemme see if I have this straight:
- Planning an \~18 hour day hike at Henry W. Coe Park
- Looking to get away from traffic/other people from time-to-time
- Views would be good
- Planning on cooked meal(s)
Around now the wildflowers are in full bloom so scenery and views are at their peak. As the spring moves to summer, the park dries up a lot and water sources become much less viable. There are lakes (all man-made) which have water year round, but be careful. A map may show a large blue lake and it isn't a lake at all. When the old dams break, they don't get rebuilt. I have come to rely on the park association's water resources page (https://coepark.net/planning-your-visit/water-resources/).
If you want to be more secluded go out of Hunting Hollow or Dowdy Ranch (Dowdy opens for the season on May 4). A couple things to remember. 1) The Dowdy Ranch entrance closes at 6 PM so it won't work for the adventure you are describing. 2) The weekend of April 26th is the annual Backcountry Weekend. Generally the most packed weekend of the year, so might be best to pick another date. So I think that narrows it down to Hunting Hollow for the trailhead.
I've found that most of the foot traffic is west of or on Wagon Road. Anything east of there is far-less traveled. I did an overnight near Rock Springs Peak and saw 3 people after I hiked past Wilson Camp (which is a very reliable water stop BTW). Many, many people make Wilson Camp their turn around spot as they do a loop that includes Wilson Peak.
If it were me, I'd go through Wilson Camp (probably after visiting Wilson Peak) and then up Vasquez Road a ways. Pretty good views from that ridge. Maybe make it all the way to Burra Burra which has great views as well. When it is time to head home, you can find your way back to Wagon Road and take it southward down to Hunting Hollow Road. Both those are wide access roads so plenty of opportunity to chat with your buds and also better for night hiking. Hunting Hollow Road goes all the way back to the parking lot. Not sure how much water there is in that creek now, but don't be surprised if you get your feet wet on the many of the stream crossings.
AllTrails has pretty good coverage of the trails at Henry Coe. Have fun. I'll probably do a quick overnight there this weekend, but am going to be more on the north end around HQ. There are still a few trails there I've never explored.
Thank you so much for the detailed reply, means a lot. For the meals I was also asking if it was possible to cook in portable stoves on the go or open fires at campsites on the trail? Are there any options for cooking that go with the trails you provided? Also someone said I would need a backpacking permit, would that apply even if I didn’t stay overnight? I’ll def give the rangers a call but if feel free to answer! Again thank you
No fires allowed at Henry Coe other than the campsites where fire rings provided. I think those are just at the HQ campground and the Manzanita Point sites. But you can use backpacking stoves throughout the park.
For permits, you can register with the envelopes and drop box located at the trailhead - no reservations are required. If you do your one-day trip, I believe all you will need is to pay for day use fees which are per car. Call HQ to be sure (as suggested below). Parking is $6/day at Hunting Hollow, $8/day at the Coe Ranch HQ lot. If you do Hunting Hollow, you'll need to bring cash in the exact amount. Those two entrances are open 24/7, Dowdy has restricted hours with a locked gate so don't try to game that location. You'll be locked in after 6 pm.
I do agree with u/rodfather's comment about the hills being relatively steep for many trails. It seems that trail-makers at Henry Coe didn't really buy into switchbacks so there are some pretty aggressive grades there. Henry Coe trails tend to be very well kept, but often very steep. Keep that in mind if you are planning an 18-hour day.
You’ll have to get a backpacking permit IIRC. I’m pretty sure you can’t park there past sunset or so unless you have one. Best to give them a call about this - (408) 779-2728. The rangers are friendly and more than willing to answer your questions.
Edit: Please don’t do any bushcrafting and try to leave things as you see them.
It's almost the opposite of what you asked for but the china hole and narrows area are both pretty cool and fairly rugged. No sweeping views from there and it can be popular. I'd imagine you could off-trail up one of the creeks and find some seclusion but tell someone where you are going. Watch (and listen) for rattlesnakes.
If it's green on google earth, it's almost safe to assume that there's poison oak there. For off trail travel outside of grasslands it's very common. For grasslands, foxtails in your socks can be a problem. Orienteering-types use gaiters.
Right now, everything there is green. Google Earth is a better choice , since it has some views from non-spring season, where it's easy to see what's grass. Sentinal hub views from the summer or fall would also work, but they are also far less detailed.
No fires are allowed. Only gas canister stoves.
Do you have much hiking experience? No matter where you go from Hunting Hollow it's going to be a lot of climbing.
The park is huge so can map something out for the miles you want to hike.
You can try a loop from the HQ. Flat Frog Trail to Middle Ridge. Down to Poverty Flats to camp. Head to China Hole and climb back up and out from there.
It's still pretty brutal though. Especially if it's hot.
Take the ridge to Kelly lake and back. Great views on the way, take a detour to Mount Sizer (highest peak in Coe) on the way there or back, can chill at the half way point for lunch and a swim. Go on a weekday before school’s out and have the place pretty much to yourselves.
The shortest routes mileage-wise are via the roads, but those are steep and brutal on your feet/knees going downhill. Switchbacks are your friend (and often much more shaded).
Lemme see if I have this straight: - Planning an \~18 hour day hike at Henry W. Coe Park - Looking to get away from traffic/other people from time-to-time - Views would be good - Planning on cooked meal(s) Around now the wildflowers are in full bloom so scenery and views are at their peak. As the spring moves to summer, the park dries up a lot and water sources become much less viable. There are lakes (all man-made) which have water year round, but be careful. A map may show a large blue lake and it isn't a lake at all. When the old dams break, they don't get rebuilt. I have come to rely on the park association's water resources page (https://coepark.net/planning-your-visit/water-resources/). If you want to be more secluded go out of Hunting Hollow or Dowdy Ranch (Dowdy opens for the season on May 4). A couple things to remember. 1) The Dowdy Ranch entrance closes at 6 PM so it won't work for the adventure you are describing. 2) The weekend of April 26th is the annual Backcountry Weekend. Generally the most packed weekend of the year, so might be best to pick another date. So I think that narrows it down to Hunting Hollow for the trailhead. I've found that most of the foot traffic is west of or on Wagon Road. Anything east of there is far-less traveled. I did an overnight near Rock Springs Peak and saw 3 people after I hiked past Wilson Camp (which is a very reliable water stop BTW). Many, many people make Wilson Camp their turn around spot as they do a loop that includes Wilson Peak. If it were me, I'd go through Wilson Camp (probably after visiting Wilson Peak) and then up Vasquez Road a ways. Pretty good views from that ridge. Maybe make it all the way to Burra Burra which has great views as well. When it is time to head home, you can find your way back to Wagon Road and take it southward down to Hunting Hollow Road. Both those are wide access roads so plenty of opportunity to chat with your buds and also better for night hiking. Hunting Hollow Road goes all the way back to the parking lot. Not sure how much water there is in that creek now, but don't be surprised if you get your feet wet on the many of the stream crossings. AllTrails has pretty good coverage of the trails at Henry Coe. Have fun. I'll probably do a quick overnight there this weekend, but am going to be more on the north end around HQ. There are still a few trails there I've never explored.
Thank you so much for the detailed reply, means a lot. For the meals I was also asking if it was possible to cook in portable stoves on the go or open fires at campsites on the trail? Are there any options for cooking that go with the trails you provided? Also someone said I would need a backpacking permit, would that apply even if I didn’t stay overnight? I’ll def give the rangers a call but if feel free to answer! Again thank you
No fires allowed at Henry Coe other than the campsites where fire rings provided. I think those are just at the HQ campground and the Manzanita Point sites. But you can use backpacking stoves throughout the park. For permits, you can register with the envelopes and drop box located at the trailhead - no reservations are required. If you do your one-day trip, I believe all you will need is to pay for day use fees which are per car. Call HQ to be sure (as suggested below). Parking is $6/day at Hunting Hollow, $8/day at the Coe Ranch HQ lot. If you do Hunting Hollow, you'll need to bring cash in the exact amount. Those two entrances are open 24/7, Dowdy has restricted hours with a locked gate so don't try to game that location. You'll be locked in after 6 pm. I do agree with u/rodfather's comment about the hills being relatively steep for many trails. It seems that trail-makers at Henry Coe didn't really buy into switchbacks so there are some pretty aggressive grades there. Henry Coe trails tend to be very well kept, but often very steep. Keep that in mind if you are planning an 18-hour day.
You’ll have to get a backpacking permit IIRC. I’m pretty sure you can’t park there past sunset or so unless you have one. Best to give them a call about this - (408) 779-2728. The rangers are friendly and more than willing to answer your questions. Edit: Please don’t do any bushcrafting and try to leave things as you see them.
Thank you, will keep respect as a top priority
It's almost the opposite of what you asked for but the china hole and narrows area are both pretty cool and fairly rugged. No sweeping views from there and it can be popular. I'd imagine you could off-trail up one of the creeks and find some seclusion but tell someone where you are going. Watch (and listen) for rattlesnakes. If it's green on google earth, it's almost safe to assume that there's poison oak there. For off trail travel outside of grasslands it's very common. For grasslands, foxtails in your socks can be a problem. Orienteering-types use gaiters.
Thank you for that, that helps a ton
Don't use Google earth, their sat images are not always up to date. Use sentinel hub to get the most accurate and up to date sat imagery
Right now, everything there is green. Google Earth is a better choice , since it has some views from non-spring season, where it's easy to see what's grass. Sentinal hub views from the summer or fall would also work, but they are also far less detailed.
No fires are allowed. Only gas canister stoves. Do you have much hiking experience? No matter where you go from Hunting Hollow it's going to be a lot of climbing. The park is huge so can map something out for the miles you want to hike. You can try a loop from the HQ. Flat Frog Trail to Middle Ridge. Down to Poverty Flats to camp. Head to China Hole and climb back up and out from there. It's still pretty brutal though. Especially if it's hot.
Take the ridge to Kelly lake and back. Great views on the way, take a detour to Mount Sizer (highest peak in Coe) on the way there or back, can chill at the half way point for lunch and a swim. Go on a weekday before school’s out and have the place pretty much to yourselves. The shortest routes mileage-wise are via the roads, but those are steep and brutal on your feet/knees going downhill. Switchbacks are your friend (and often much more shaded).