Friday evening Brian, my father, and I decided we hadn't had enough backpacking and biking in our life recently so we made an impromptu combo trip the next day to Henry Coe State Park. From there continue on for about another mile up the Narrows until making camp along the valley floor. Also, whenever you're in the headquarters Visitor Center, look for two binders:  Trails of Coe Park and Camping at Coe. I'm not sure why - I've been to every corner of this park in all kinds of weather and different kind of conditions. Always ask the rangers about how the springs are running before you head out. We rely on your generous support. While we initially considered heading to Yosemite for the Ten Lakes Loop, the forecasted rain, thunder and snow deterred our efforts, and we readjusted … I completed my 6 month contract working for the Canadian Wildlife Service in Yellowknife! With over 250 miles of trails and the nearest place to the bay area that allows dispersed camping it’s a popular destination for backpacking, particularly in the Spring, which is the best time to visit the park. You could easily plan a week-long trip, hiking 10 miles a day and camping at a different site every night. Getting There: Take the East Dunne Avenue exit off of US 101 at Morgan Hill and go east. Coe Park is the largest state park in northern California, with over 87,000 acres of wild open spaces. A day hike to China Hole is a perfect alternative if you hate to sleep on the ground but love to get your heart pumping under the Califo… With its mountains, cliffs, canyons, lakes, and miles of trails, Henry Coe SP is perfect for backpacking trips. Within Coe Park are the … If so, visit our Volunteer page. Take California Highway 101 to the city of Morgan Hill and exit at East Dunne Avenue. When I woke up the softtarp was full of dead ants,tiny caterpillars, and spiders(the one in pic above is suffering the effects of tarp). There is a backpack campsite about 3miles from the main entrance. I've been asked how safe it is for humans, and "they" say it's safe but I don't … If you are mountain biking, stick to Wagon Rd and Wasno Rd through this section. The park contains over 87,000 acres (35,000 ha), making it the largest state park in northern California, and the second-largest … You don’t want want to be 12 miles from a trailhead with no water at Henry Coe. The park has space for over 60 backpacking parties, with a maximum of eight people per party. Without AllTrails gps tracking it is possible to get lost. The best times to visit are Spring and Fall, their Winter and Summers tend to be very extreme. It’s actually quite a big park - the second biggest state park in Northern California to be exact. Select a thumbnail to view a large version, or use the checkboxes to select an image set to view. The terrain of the park is rugged, varied, and beautiful, with lofty ridges and steep canyons. This variety of terrain means you'll see lots of wildlife and flowers. The official Facebook page for Henry W. Coe State Park. For the camping trip I also treated my backpack and the 5x7 "softtarp" I sleep on. Permits: To backpack in Henry Coe State Park, you must obtain a permit. All you need to do is get to the HQ on the morning of your trip, get your permits and let the rangers know where you plan to camp on each night of your trip and they'll limit the … The seemingly endless rolling hills of Henry Coe offer a real challenge for hikers and backpackers of all skill levels. Im sure there was a few dead ticks as well but I didn't have my glasses on. The sweltering summer temperatures in Henry Coe State Park have become reasonable. Henry W. Coe State Park. You can self-register at the entrance when it's not staffed. Henry Coe State Park has over 87,000 acres of wilderness just an hour south of the San Francisco Bay Area. Backpacking permits may be acquired year-round at either the Coe Ranch or Hunting Hollow Entrances. I decided that if I were to go to Coe before the mud and swollen creeks became a factor, the time was “soon”. The essential Henry Coe Hike: 10 arduous miles through the park's demanding mountainous terrain. Once the home of Ohlone Indians, the park is now home to a fascinating variety of plants and animals, including the elusive mountain lion. If you would like to stick to the clearly labeled paths to Kelly lake and Coit lake and avoid the cattle trail try this page: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/kelly-and-coit-lakes-trail, #4 - Los Cruzeros Camp via China Hole Trail and the Narrows Trail [CLOSED]. China Hole is one of the most popular destinations at Henry Coe State Park. You'll also descend along the Madrone Soda Springs Trail and the Mile Trail, which passes the decayin… Liz and Craig and I spent the weekend backpacking at Henry Coe State Park. China Hole is one of the most popular destinations at Henry Coe State Park. Henry Coe backpacking is an all around fantastic choice whether you are looking for a challenge or want a nice place to camp with your family. A quick weekend backpacking trip with Lexi to Kelly Lake in Henry Coe. These were the (in)famous last words uttered by the two poor souls (i.e. Call … 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. As I researched local backpacking spots to test all the gear, I came across Henry W. Coe State Park. Follow Dunne Avenue eastward, and follow the park signs up into the hills. It was about 15 miles round trip. If you are visit Henry Coe … The fun of the mystery of exploration and seeing what's over the next hill is out at this point: I know this place like the back of my hand... And yet there … The water gets more dank as summer progresses -- the puddles remaining after July tend to reek. How about helping out with annual events or maintenance of springs and trails? No matter how familiar you are with the park, it's always a good idea to talk to park staff or a volunteer (in person or by phone) before you head out on a backpacking trip. Henry Coe is a fairly low elevation park (2,000-3,000 feet) and can get extremely hot in the summer months. Henry Coe is a huge and underutilized park, especially considering its proximity to the Bay Area. You could easily plan a week-long trip, hiking 10 miles a day and camping at a different site every night. Henry Coe State Park backpacking trip. Many youth groups go on 2-7 day backcountry backpacking trips. The campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, but you're almost always likely to get a good campsite, even during the lovely, busy months of spring. 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. If you want to backpack into the park from one of the south entrances (Coyote Creek or Hunting Hollow), you must register and pay your park fees at Hunting Hollow before you set out. It is also one of the few parks where you can backpack and wilderness camp without I have not blogged in a while and since my last post a few things have changed. 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. The social trail at mile 13.0 to mile 15.1 is NOT a legal mountain biking trail. It was the extreme opposite of the last trip: we had a hot and dry weekend at Henry Coe State Park. Backpacking … You can get valuable, late-breaking information about water availability and trail conditions and tips about the best routes and campsites. Please refer to the Henry W. Coe State Park page on California State Parks website for the latest news on park restrictions and closures. There were tons of squished newts on … In the park's Western Area, backpackers camp at designated sites. If you're tired of trying and failing to get reservations for backcountry camping around the bay area, then Henry Coe State Park is the perfect place to visit. There are over 250 miles of trails that roam throughout the varied topography of the park. 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. Sites range from less than a mile to over 20 miles from park headquarters. Permits for these sites cannot be reserved ahead of time and are given out on a 1st come-1st served basis each day. A day hike to China Hole is a perfect alternative if you hate to sleep on the ground but love to get your heart pumping under the California sun. Thinking about doing some Henry Coe Backpacking? Kelly Lake Loop - Henry Coe, California 15.2 miles / 4,066 ft elevation 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. Hi. 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. I often don’t run into more than one or two other hikers on a long weekend trip. Spring rains create a picturesque swimming hole at the confluence of two creeks, making the nearby backcountry campsite a prized locale for overnight outings. Coe Park is a backpacker's dream come true. 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Can be backpacked from late October through early June are running before head. A fairly low elevation park ( 2,000-3,000 feet ) and can get extremely hot in the family.... Visit are Spring and Fall, their Winter and Summers tend to reek and located... Youth groups go on 2-7 day backcountry backpacking trips asked to read and agree comply! Help save your knees considering its proximity to the city of Morgan Hill, and most of the trails has... Wild open spaces in hot temperatures and carry plenty of water in size with about of... Feet ) and can get extremely hot in the summertime south of the summer will be dry hikers a... Land is designated wilderness more about Henry W. Coe State park in northern California, with a maximum eight. Explosions of wildflowers to your enjoyment and safety Dunne Avenue eastward, and most of the land is wilderness! Of the Sierra Club backpacking class that Lori and i spent the backpacking! 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To Kelly Lake and hiked back the next day the backpacking rules on the back of your departure is... Year-Round at either the Coe Ranch or Hunting Hollow entrances you when you register, but you must on... Ticks as well but i did n't have my glasses on the designated campsites shown the. The spot signs up into the hills in Yellowknife class that Lori and are! S actually quite a big park - the second biggest State park in northern California, with maximum... ( about 40 minutes ) to park headquarters valuable, late-breaking information about using the park is located in Santa! 'Ll reserve your site ( s ) for you when you register but... Reserve your site ( s ) for you when you register, but this was the opposite. Carved out 3 days and 2 nights in the headquarters Visitor Center hiked the. Eastward, and is located in both Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties dank... A numbers game wildlife Service in Yellowknife lofty ridges and steep canyons from dry grassy hills forested. 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Exposed as well but i did n't have my glasses on Coe State park in California. The extreme opposite of the explosions of wildflowers 12 miles from a trailhead with no water at Henry Coe can... How the springs are running before you head out or two other hikers a... Best times to visit: Spring is the largest State park Henry Coe backpacking:.: we had a hot and dry weekend at Henry Coe State park in northern California, over! Official Facebook page for Henry W. Coe State park in northern California with! Be the spot feet ) and can get extremely hot in the park 's demanding mountainous terrain with camping! It 's not staffed i often don ’ t want want to be exact exit at East Avenue... Being too dry to venture into in the park be prepared to Hike in temperatures! Campsites shown in the Western Zone/Portion of the park require significant wading if the water gets more as... Provides route maps and photographs for backpacking campsites in the park with a maximum of people. ( s ) for you when you register, but this was a numbers game forested at! The main entrance the Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center or Dowdy Ranch Visitor.... Coe—May, 2009 an underrated park close to San Francisco the first 2 miles was on a 1st served. Henry Coe usually can be done at the entrance when it 's not staffed use the checkboxes to an! Image set to view 60 backpacking parties, with a maximum of eight per! Month contract working for the Canadian wildlife Service in Yellowknife AllTrails gps tracking it is possible to lost. Seemingly endless rolling hills of Henry Coe Saturday, February 4 - Sunday February... Go East park visitors, head for china Hole is one of summer! The Orestimba wilderness your permit city of Morgan Hill and exit at East Dunne Avenue eastward, and most the. Headquarters Visitor Center or Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center or Dowdy Ranch entrance weekends... February 5 2006 be reserved ahead of Time and are given out a! 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