2025-2 -Coyote Lake/Harvey Bear Ranch County Park (Gilroy) - 7-8 miles/500-600ft

This hike follows a segment of the BART (Bay Area Ridge Trail), in the South Bay - Gilroy.

For those interested in completing BART miles or just seeking to get out and enjoying the outdoors. As a moderate in difficulty hike, I will lead a hike at Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park.

This is another nature gem location in Gilroy, located along the Diablo Mountain Range. With plenty of oak trees and grass lands, this hike will be a gentle trek on the eastern foothills of Gilroy.

This hike is approximately 7 to 8 miles long and 500 to 600 feet in elevation gain. This is a one-way hike.

Plan to meet at 730AM and start hike at 830AM. Come early to get parking; no fees for parking at Mendoza Ranch trailhead. We will meet here and at approx 8:00AM carpool (in the fewest vehicles) into the park and reach the northern most parking area near the lake dam. At approx. 8:30AM, we will hike from here and return to the Mendoza trailhead. We will need assistance from a driver to return drivers to their vehicles located at dam.

Here is the link to the trail map showing the Mendoza meeting location -
Map

As temperatures are cool at this time of the year, be prepared with layers, plenty of water (at least 2 liters - that is 4 typical 500mL bottles of water), food or snacks, good gear and great hiking attitude.

More information on Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch county park -
BART
SCCP

Weather is looking cool this weekend: sunny and in the 40s at start to high 50s at end of hike.

Weather

Depending on interest, we may meet after hike in Gilroy for lunch.

Feel free to contact me or message if you have questions.

Tom