Henry Coe State Park
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 8:19 pm
Henry Coe State Park, CA. March 17-19, 2015
A key factor in backpacking at Henry Coe Park is the water sources, so I have included the status of the streams and ponds. In general, the water is a bit lower than in late April, 2012. Weather was perfect! Hunting Hollow is the official trailhead. We registered and paid our fees, then drove up the road to Coyote Entrance, and fortunately found one remaining parking spot along the road, which is not officially in the park. On weekends it is nearly impossible to find parking so you walk the 1.9 miles from Hunting Hollow to the Coyote Entrance.
Day 1. Coyote Entrance to Coit Lake via Grizzly Gulch trail, Rock Tower trail, Domino Pond trail, Wasno Road, Kelly Lake trail, Wagon Road, Coit Dam trail. 8.4 miles, 3100 feet gain, -1915 feet loss, 6.5 hours.
Having nearly killed my knees going the opposite direction in 2012, this time I chose to climb the steeper trails going in and save the more gentle trails for descending. The original plan was to camp at Kelly Lake, but we arrived early because we did not have to walk from Hunting Hollow. We decided to make the next day easier and continue to Coit Lake. Instead of the direct route, we climbed to Wagon Road and dropped down on Coit Dam Trail to the north end of Coit Lake (the dam). Another group was camped at the south end. Other than these four fellows, we did not see anyone else the entire trip. The south-facing slopes were already drying out but wildflowers were still brilliant. The oak trees that loose leaves are just beginning to leaf-out for the spring. There was a small trickle of water below Domino Pond, which was only about a quarter full. The ponds south of the Kelly Lake trail had water. Kelly Lake was nearly full and many ducks were swimming in the water. Coit Lake was also nearly full and full of ducks and fish (the other group was fishing and caught plenty).
Day 2. Coit Lake, day-hike to Pacheco Falls, and Cross Canyon Trail to the lower part of Kelly Cabin Creek. 9.2 miles, 2,100 feet gain, -2615 feet loss, 6 hours.
It felt great to hike without packs! We did not get started until 9AM. First we took the trail to the south end of Coit Lake, where we chatted with the fishermen. Then up the road past Game and Fish Pond which appeared a few feet low. Then we took the Live Oak Springs trail and Pacheco Falls trail. Wood Duck Pond was also a few feet low. A small stream of water flowed down Pacheco Falls and the pond at the base was full, pretty much the same as in 2012. We looped back to Coit Lake via White Tank springs where the creek was barely flowing. After eating lunch we packed up and headed down the Cross Canyon Trail. The unnamed pond west of Coit Lake appeared full and Kelly Cabin Creek was flowing with about ankle deep water. In 2012 it was much higher. This time no wading was needed to cross the creek many times. The descent trail was a gentle grade and full of wildflowers. The better camping was up at the southeast end of Kelly Canyon but we continued to the northwest end, hoping to find an established campsite before it headed uphill. None was to be found so we camped on sloped lumpy sites. Shade arrived early in the canyon; not bad since it actually was quite warm. It was dark by 7:30 and getting chilly so we retreated to our tents.
Day 3. Lower Kelly Cabin Creek to Coyote Entrance, via Cross Canyon trail, Grapevine Trail, Anza Trail and Coit Road. 6.1 miles, 1,500 feet gain, -2,005 elevation loss, 3.5 hours.
Again we got a late start, but sun still had not reached the bottom of the canyon. The canyon and the north facing slopes are still lush and full of wildflowers. I love the moss hanging from the oak trees. I had never been on the Anza trail, so in spite of adding nearly 500 feet of gain, we took this trail, rather than the Coit Road on the return. It was worth the extra effort- much nicer than walking on a road. The horse troughs were full at the two springs along the Grapevine trail. This was a pleasant trip and a good early season conditioner. Henry Coe Park always gives you a good workout in a wonderful ecosystem of rolling oak hills. This year the wildflower are early, and likely will wilt soon unless we get more rain. Poison oak is abundant. We saw lots of birds, ducks, one snake, deer and lots of signs of coyotes. Fortunately, we were a bit too early for ticks or mosquites. Although present, thankfully, I have yet to run into wild hogs or tarantulas at Henry Coe.
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Grizzly Gulch Trail
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Shooting Stars on Rock Tower Trail
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Domino Pond
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Near Wasno Road
A key factor in backpacking at Henry Coe Park is the water sources, so I have included the status of the streams and ponds. In general, the water is a bit lower than in late April, 2012. Weather was perfect! Hunting Hollow is the official trailhead. We registered and paid our fees, then drove up the road to Coyote Entrance, and fortunately found one remaining parking spot along the road, which is not officially in the park. On weekends it is nearly impossible to find parking so you walk the 1.9 miles from Hunting Hollow to the Coyote Entrance.
Day 1. Coyote Entrance to Coit Lake via Grizzly Gulch trail, Rock Tower trail, Domino Pond trail, Wasno Road, Kelly Lake trail, Wagon Road, Coit Dam trail. 8.4 miles, 3100 feet gain, -1915 feet loss, 6.5 hours.
Having nearly killed my knees going the opposite direction in 2012, this time I chose to climb the steeper trails going in and save the more gentle trails for descending. The original plan was to camp at Kelly Lake, but we arrived early because we did not have to walk from Hunting Hollow. We decided to make the next day easier and continue to Coit Lake. Instead of the direct route, we climbed to Wagon Road and dropped down on Coit Dam Trail to the north end of Coit Lake (the dam). Another group was camped at the south end. Other than these four fellows, we did not see anyone else the entire trip. The south-facing slopes were already drying out but wildflowers were still brilliant. The oak trees that loose leaves are just beginning to leaf-out for the spring. There was a small trickle of water below Domino Pond, which was only about a quarter full. The ponds south of the Kelly Lake trail had water. Kelly Lake was nearly full and many ducks were swimming in the water. Coit Lake was also nearly full and full of ducks and fish (the other group was fishing and caught plenty).
Day 2. Coit Lake, day-hike to Pacheco Falls, and Cross Canyon Trail to the lower part of Kelly Cabin Creek. 9.2 miles, 2,100 feet gain, -2615 feet loss, 6 hours.
It felt great to hike without packs! We did not get started until 9AM. First we took the trail to the south end of Coit Lake, where we chatted with the fishermen. Then up the road past Game and Fish Pond which appeared a few feet low. Then we took the Live Oak Springs trail and Pacheco Falls trail. Wood Duck Pond was also a few feet low. A small stream of water flowed down Pacheco Falls and the pond at the base was full, pretty much the same as in 2012. We looped back to Coit Lake via White Tank springs where the creek was barely flowing. After eating lunch we packed up and headed down the Cross Canyon Trail. The unnamed pond west of Coit Lake appeared full and Kelly Cabin Creek was flowing with about ankle deep water. In 2012 it was much higher. This time no wading was needed to cross the creek many times. The descent trail was a gentle grade and full of wildflowers. The better camping was up at the southeast end of Kelly Canyon but we continued to the northwest end, hoping to find an established campsite before it headed uphill. None was to be found so we camped on sloped lumpy sites. Shade arrived early in the canyon; not bad since it actually was quite warm. It was dark by 7:30 and getting chilly so we retreated to our tents.
Day 3. Lower Kelly Cabin Creek to Coyote Entrance, via Cross Canyon trail, Grapevine Trail, Anza Trail and Coit Road. 6.1 miles, 1,500 feet gain, -2,005 elevation loss, 3.5 hours.
Again we got a late start, but sun still had not reached the bottom of the canyon. The canyon and the north facing slopes are still lush and full of wildflowers. I love the moss hanging from the oak trees. I had never been on the Anza trail, so in spite of adding nearly 500 feet of gain, we took this trail, rather than the Coit Road on the return. It was worth the extra effort- much nicer than walking on a road. The horse troughs were full at the two springs along the Grapevine trail. This was a pleasant trip and a good early season conditioner. Henry Coe Park always gives you a good workout in a wonderful ecosystem of rolling oak hills. This year the wildflower are early, and likely will wilt soon unless we get more rain. Poison oak is abundant. We saw lots of birds, ducks, one snake, deer and lots of signs of coyotes. Fortunately, we were a bit too early for ticks or mosquites. Although present, thankfully, I have yet to run into wild hogs or tarantulas at Henry Coe.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... ited-1.jpg[/rimg]
Grizzly Gulch Trail
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... ited-1.jpg[/rimg]
Shooting Stars on Rock Tower Trail
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Domino Pond
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... ited-1.jpg[/rimg]
Near Wasno Road