Henry Coe - China Hole Loop Hike

***NOTE: This is NOT a Sierra Club sponsored hike. To join, you must sign the waiver at our meeting point.

DESCRIPTION:
Join us for a fairly strenuous hike at Henry Coe Park. This approximately 10.5-mile loop (1800 ft) will take us thorough open grasslands and oak woodlands before reaching China Hole for lunch and beginning our return. On our return we'll pass by what remains of the Madrone Soda Springs, an old mineral springs resort built in 1880.

We’ll take the Corral Trail, Manzanita Point Road, China Hole Trail to China Hole, where we’ll take a break by the park’s "famous" swimming hole. Our route back to the visitor center will follow Canyon Mile trail to the site of the old resort. After that, we’ll follow Madrone Springs Trail, Manzanita Point Road, Springs Trail, and Corral Trail back to our starting point. There is steady climbing for a couple miles on the return.

There are 12 creek crossings through Soda Springs Canyon. Please be prepared for potential wet feet, though it has been relatively dry recently.

We will hike at a moderate pace with a few stops to enjoy the surroundings. Adverse weather or trail conditions may shorten or cancel the hike. We practice "leave no trace" and carry out everything we carry in.

Cold drinks and light snacks after the hike (optional).

DIRECTIONS: Take 101 South to Morgan Hill and then take the E. Dunne Ave exit. Go left (east) 13 miles on E. Dunne to the Henry Coe park, but please take into account that it’s a narrow winding road that about 35 minutes to travel. (Parking GPS coordinates: 37.187289, -121.547166). For full directions please visit: http://www.coepark.net.

CARPOOL LOCATION:
9:15am at Morgan Hill Caltrain Parking lot
Address: 17295 Butterfield Blvd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
GPS: 37.130391869964015, -121.64985215547833
It takes about 40 minutes from this location to reach Henry Coe Visitor Center
Please consider carpooling as parking at the headquarters tends to fill up.

START: We’ll meet at the picnic table just outside the visitor’s center. There is a Day Use Fee of $8.00 per vehicle ($7.00 for Seniors). Please bring exact change for the Iron Ranger (located at the entrance near the Visitor's Center, before you get to the parking spots).

WHAT TO BRING: Water (1.5 - 2 L); layered clothing; lunch & snacks; sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen); sturdy hiking shoes/boots; hiking poles (optional).

RESTROOMS: At the Visitor's Center (start and finish) and at a couple of camping locations along the route.

QUESTIONS? Contact Diana Hall - dianahall39 (at) yahoo.com or Van Nguyen - ntbvan11 (at) gmail.com

CANCELLATION POLICY: steady rain, excessive heat, poor air quality