Almaden Quicksilver: 7.6 Mile Moderate Hike

SIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile)

CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.

Level: Moderate
Total Distance: 7.6 miles, loop
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Elevation Change: 1483 ft
Parking/Entrance fee: Free
Official Trail Use: No dogs.

Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials-how-to-hike-in-the-sun/

Facilities Restrooms located off the parking lot.

Recommended Park Map:
https://files.santaclaracounty.gov/exjcpb1516/2024-11/almaden-quicksilver-guide-map.pdf?VersionId=c1xoJNst5.tAeuqklrrb31IOIKg.ClwZ

Directions:
• Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.
• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.

(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°10'26.4"N 121°49'30.1"W

(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.173993, -121.825041
https://goo.gl/maps/q9DT8SdoZ6sRW8zG8

Nearest street address:
21785 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA

The Google Waze app will route around "restricted access" roads, unlike the Google Maps app, using the same map data as Google Maps. Therefore, Waze is recommended over the Google Maps app for your phone. If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, click this URL. It will open Waze and start navigating to the trail head.

http://waze.to/?ll=37.173993,-121.825041&navigate=yes

• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac.
• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.

Parking: Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trail head.

Carpooling: Please use this link to sign up for carpooling:
https://groupcarpool.com/t/2vex7t

CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.

Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above. Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.

Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.

HIKING SUMMARY:
Almaden Quicksilver occupies the site of the first mining enterprise in California (check out the historical marker across the street from the Hacienda Trailhead entrance).
In spring, Almaden Quicksilver is famous for grand displays of wildflowers, but the park is pretty in autumn as well, when bigleaf maples, and black and blue oaks shed their colorful leaves. Anyone with a curiosity about mining and local history will enjoy the remnants of the mines.

HIKING DIRECTIONS:
Start at the Hacienda Trail head. Walk around the gate and uphill on Mine Hill Trail (0.4 mi) --> Left onto English Camp Trail (1.3 mi) --> Left onto Kitty Monahan Trail (0.5 mi) --> Left onto Hidalgo Cemetery Trail (0.6 mi) --> Return back to Kitty Monahan junction (0.6 mi) --> Left onto Kitty Monahan Trail (0.1 mi) --> Right onto Wood Road (0.1 mi) --> Left onto Castillero Trail (0.7 mi) --> At the 3-way intersection, turn right onto Mine Hill Trail (0.3 mi) --> Right to San Cristobal Mine (0.1 mi) --> Return to Mine Hill Trail (0.1 mi) --> Right onto Mine Hill Trail (0.5 mi) --> Left onto April Trail (0.8 mi) --> Straight onto Mine Hill Trail (0.1 mi) --> Left at Castillero Trail junction to stay on Mine Hill Trail and return to the parking lot (1.4 mi)

HIKING DIRECTIONS MAP:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/almaden-quicksilver-7-6-miles-251bd04?p=-1&sh=pyl4xm