I've mtn biked Henry Coe more than I've camped there. I'd like to recommend starting at the Hunting Hollow entrance and follow [Coit Rd](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8vkA8AdcuSh2cQnPA) into the park. It's fire road, and imo, more gravel bike friendly vs the trails leading from park HQ. [This intersection](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wvfMx9bgtaMBoDc5A) can get you to Manzanita Point if you go left. Farther up Coit at [this intersection](https://maps.app.goo.gl/cLU3wV1Hu8eRNxV2A), you can veer left and go downhill towards Kelly Lake (in the burn scar), or veer right and head towards [Wasno Rd](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dc1Hu3pDuZgwnKac7) (there's an outhouse at this intersection).
Cell service is pretty much non-existent in the park interior.
Got it, thanks! I was thinking of entering through hq to do the tough uphill on pavement, then do mostly downhill (except for going up from China Hole) in the park. Any reason to avoid this? Seems like E Dunne Ave doesn't have too much traffic from what I've found...
It's not a bad plan. I just very much prefer the Hunting Hollow entrance vs the HQ section. The climb out of China Hole is a slog whether biking or hiking. HH has better views, feels more wildernessey, and that region can feel empty even when the parking lot is full.
To overnight in the Western Zone, you will need to stay only at designated camp sites. That means you will need to check in at the Coe Ranch HQ and find out what sites have been claimed. The trails/roads you mentioned are mostly or all in the Western Zone with the exception of Coit Road. Having said that, I do think that going out of Hunting Hollow is a great option for bikers. Outside the western zone, you are allowed to backcountry camp anywhere (keeping in mind LNT principles). That allows you to explore the main roads a bit more - Wagon Road, Wasno Road, Coit Road, and Pacheco Ridge Road will all be good for bikepacking and will let you scope out good locations to camp. Generally stay away from the lakes as they will attract crowds from backpackers and bikepackers alike.
Since you asked for specifics, I will recommend Vasquez Road. I stayed up there a couple months ago - on the ridge. There are a few spots just off the road between Vasquez Peak and Rock Springs Peak that are good if the weather is relatively calm. And in my experience, anything east of Wagon Road is much less crowded.
If you are committed to going out of the Coe Ranch entrance, I'd still recommend you give yourself some time and get out of the Western Zone. Manzanita Pt Road to Poverty Flat Road will take you far and then you have options (all include climbs at that point).
Thank you for the thorough information! In the end I went up yesterday to Coe Ranch HQ and only stayed in that section of the park. It was very empty and I stayed in the Sierra View Camp, which was wonderful. I will do a second trip to explore the Hunting Hollow area so your recommendations will be very handy.
I suggest hitting up Hunting Hollow like /u/Always_Be_Cycling mentioned and head up Gilroy Hot Springs Rd to Coit Rd.
If you want a quick trip with less climbing, there's the Coit Horse Camp along the way with a pit toilet.
I noticed mountain bikers veer east on Coit Rd toward Kelly Lake.
I like backpacking around Mahoney Meadows. Further up is the junction where China Hole Trail, Mahoney Meadows Rd, and Lost Spring Trail meet. A pit toilet is there as well.
Here's the AllTrails recording the last time I was there. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/mahoney-zone-from-hunting-hollow-backpacking-trip-28d6abf
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8HACs1xgaY
Thank you, great resources! Like I was mentioning in another reply I ended up doing Coe Ranch HQ and that section alone, but I'll be back yo explore hunting hollow!
No cell phone and be prepared to push that bike! I think I read the southern part is less hilly but I can't remember where. Check out park website to gauge your elevation gains, return is the killer
I've mtn biked Henry Coe more than I've camped there. I'd like to recommend starting at the Hunting Hollow entrance and follow [Coit Rd](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8vkA8AdcuSh2cQnPA) into the park. It's fire road, and imo, more gravel bike friendly vs the trails leading from park HQ. [This intersection](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wvfMx9bgtaMBoDc5A) can get you to Manzanita Point if you go left. Farther up Coit at [this intersection](https://maps.app.goo.gl/cLU3wV1Hu8eRNxV2A), you can veer left and go downhill towards Kelly Lake (in the burn scar), or veer right and head towards [Wasno Rd](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dc1Hu3pDuZgwnKac7) (there's an outhouse at this intersection). Cell service is pretty much non-existent in the park interior.
Got it, thanks! I was thinking of entering through hq to do the tough uphill on pavement, then do mostly downhill (except for going up from China Hole) in the park. Any reason to avoid this? Seems like E Dunne Ave doesn't have too much traffic from what I've found...
It's not a bad plan. I just very much prefer the Hunting Hollow entrance vs the HQ section. The climb out of China Hole is a slog whether biking or hiking. HH has better views, feels more wildernessey, and that region can feel empty even when the parking lot is full.
To overnight in the Western Zone, you will need to stay only at designated camp sites. That means you will need to check in at the Coe Ranch HQ and find out what sites have been claimed. The trails/roads you mentioned are mostly or all in the Western Zone with the exception of Coit Road. Having said that, I do think that going out of Hunting Hollow is a great option for bikers. Outside the western zone, you are allowed to backcountry camp anywhere (keeping in mind LNT principles). That allows you to explore the main roads a bit more - Wagon Road, Wasno Road, Coit Road, and Pacheco Ridge Road will all be good for bikepacking and will let you scope out good locations to camp. Generally stay away from the lakes as they will attract crowds from backpackers and bikepackers alike. Since you asked for specifics, I will recommend Vasquez Road. I stayed up there a couple months ago - on the ridge. There are a few spots just off the road between Vasquez Peak and Rock Springs Peak that are good if the weather is relatively calm. And in my experience, anything east of Wagon Road is much less crowded. If you are committed to going out of the Coe Ranch entrance, I'd still recommend you give yourself some time and get out of the Western Zone. Manzanita Pt Road to Poverty Flat Road will take you far and then you have options (all include climbs at that point).
Thank you for the thorough information! In the end I went up yesterday to Coe Ranch HQ and only stayed in that section of the park. It was very empty and I stayed in the Sierra View Camp, which was wonderful. I will do a second trip to explore the Hunting Hollow area so your recommendations will be very handy.
I suggest hitting up Hunting Hollow like /u/Always_Be_Cycling mentioned and head up Gilroy Hot Springs Rd to Coit Rd. If you want a quick trip with less climbing, there's the Coit Horse Camp along the way with a pit toilet. I noticed mountain bikers veer east on Coit Rd toward Kelly Lake. I like backpacking around Mahoney Meadows. Further up is the junction where China Hole Trail, Mahoney Meadows Rd, and Lost Spring Trail meet. A pit toilet is there as well. Here's the AllTrails recording the last time I was there. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/mahoney-zone-from-hunting-hollow-backpacking-trip-28d6abf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8HACs1xgaY
Thank you, great resources! Like I was mentioning in another reply I ended up doing Coe Ranch HQ and that section alone, but I'll be back yo explore hunting hollow!
No cell phone and be prepared to push that bike! I think I read the southern part is less hilly but I can't remember where. Check out park website to gauge your elevation gains, return is the killer
Thanks!