101 Hikes in Northern California. Matt Heid
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of the park’s ecosystem, and the backcountry is rapidly recovering, a process on full display in the areas north of Poverty Flat and Los Cruzeros Trail Camps.
The Hike begins from the main park entrance, cruises along diverse Pine Ridge, and then plummets more than a thousand feet to a year-round swimming hole in Coyote Creek. After winding through the Narrows, a thin creek-carved gap, the hike reaches idyllic Los Cruzeros Trail Camp along the babbling creekside. The journey returns via Poverty Flat Road, winding over the open hillsides of Jackass Peak, passing Middle Fork Coyote Creek, and then climbing steeply back up Pine Ridge. The hike can be shortened by more than 2 miles by using Creekside Trail between Poverty Flat and China Hole on Creekside Trail.
To Reach the Trailhead Take Hwy. 101 to Morgan Hill and take the East Dunne Ave. exit. Follow East Dunne Ave. east for 11 miles to the visitor center parking lot at the road’s end. After leaving the residential area of Morgan Hill, the road is a narrow twisting ascent—RVs and trailers are not recommended. There is an $8 day-use fee.
Description The hike begins across from the visitor center on singletrack Corral Trail (0.0/2,650'). After crossing a small bridge, the trail contours above precipitous slopes in a lush world of black oak, bay trees, buckeye, snowberry bushes, and coast live oak. Soon you encounter the first big-berry manzanita of the trip. Dozens of manzanita varieties exist, but few approach the massive size of these specimens; their twisting, blood-red trunks are almost treelike in girth. Chamise, toyon, and honeysuckle vines—common members of the park’s chaparral community—appear alongside.
The path emerges onto open hillsides graced with large valley oaks and reaches a six-way junction at Manzanita Point Rd. (0.6/2,510'). Cross the wide road, grab an interpretive brochure from the post, and continue on Forest Trail. Numbered markers line the path and correspond to the brochure’s descriptions of the park’s flora. After contouring through this shady educational world, you rejoin Manzanita Point Rd. (1.8/2,330') at its junction with Springs Trail and Poverty Flat Rd.
Bear left on wide Manzanita Point Rd. and undulate along the ridgetop past valley oak and ponderosa pine. The road tours the pleasant Manzanita Group Camps and reaches the junction for China Hole and Madrone Spring Trails just past Sites 6 and 7 (2.6/2,260'). Turn left on China Hole Trail to begin the descent.
China Hole Trail contours below the last group sites (a spur trail splits right to Site 9) and then dives through a corridor of massive big-berry manzanita. You next emerge in an area burned by prescribed fire (a posted sign tells the story) where thick chamise and buckbrush thrive on the regenerating hillside. Good views open up of the Coyote Creek watershed and its multiple drainages below.
The trail encounters Manzanita Point and the junction with Cougar Trail (3.7/1,910'), where you continue straight on China Hole Trail to begin a series of long, descending switchbacks to the canyon bottom and the junction with Mile Trail (5.2/1,150'). China Hole Trail Camp and its year-round swimming hole await a short distance upstream. In summer and fall, this stream is the only reliable water source on the hike, so fill your bottles.
Continuing, proceed upstream to quickly reach the confluence of Coyote Creek’s Middle Fork (left) and East Fork (right). Here Creekside Trail splits off to connect with Poverty Flat Trail Camp via the Middle Fork, a shorter return option. To complete the full loop, bear right up the East Fork and enter the lush world of the Narrows. There is no officially maintained trail through the Narrows, but a use path is generally obvious as it closely parallels the creek. This route requires crossing the stream in several places, and, depending on season and flow, this can be a rock-hop or knee-deep ford. In times of heavy rains the Narrows may become impassable—use caution.
Profuse spring wildflowers color the ground in this canyon environment, and soon you reach wide Mahoney Meadows Rd. and the start of Los Cruzeros Trail Camp near the confluence of East Fork Coyote and Kelly Creeks (6.2/1,230'). Bear left on Mahoney Meadows Rd. and cross the creek near the junction with Willow Ridge Trail (6.3/1,230'), a short distance upstream.
Follow wide Mahoney Meadows Rd. as it climbs steeply through open woodlands and then turn left onto broad Poverty Flat Rd. (6.8/1,620'). Remain on Poverty Flat Rd. as it ascends to reach Jackass Trail (7.0/1,790') before descending to a saddle below Jackass Peak (1,784'). A short side trip leads to the level summit and its near-360-degree views. Poverty Flat Rd. plummets past this point to meet Middle Fork Coyote Creek and Creekside Trail (8.2/1,150') arriving from China Hole. The wide streambed of sycamores is a pleasant backdrop to nearby Poverty Flat Trail Camp, which was used as a primary staging area during the Lick Fire.
Poverty Flat Rd. meanders among the camp’s five sites and junctions for Cougar and Middle Ridge Trails, then begins a steady thousand-foot ascent along the flanks of Pine Ridge. Poverty Flat Rd. contours gently and ascends steeply for short, strenuous sections until an intense switchbacking climb at the end deposits you back atop Pine Ridge at the earlier junction with Manzanita Point Rd. (10.2/2,330'). Return to the trailhead on the road or via Springs Trail, which travels along the margin of open oak woodland and past several dribbling springs to reach Corral Trail (11.5/2,510') and the final section back to the visitor center (12.1/2,650').
Nearest Visitor Center The park visitor center, 408-779-2728, is open Friday–Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. year-round with later hours during busy periods in spring and summer. It’s open sporadically Monday–Thursday.
Backpacking Information Backcountry camping is permitted at China Hole, Poverty Flat, and Los Cruzeros Trail Camps. A permit is required and must be obtained the day of your departure. All permits are first come, first served—no reservations are accepted—though space is almost always available. There is a permit fee of $5 per person per night and a parking fee of $8 per vehicle per night. Campfires are prohibited.
Nearest Campgrounds Headquarters Campground (20 sites, $20) is below the visitor center and fills up most weekends in spring and summer. Large groups can also consider the Manzanita Group Camping Area (9 sites, $75), 2 miles from the visitor center. For reservations, visit reserveamerica.com or call 800-444-7275.
Additional Information www.parks.ca.gov, coepark.net
HIKE 11 Sunol Backpack Area
Highlight A hidden oak woodland oasis
Distance 5.9 miles
Total Elevation Gain/Loss 1,100'/1,100'
Hiking Time 3–5 hours
Recommended Maps Sunol Regional Wilderness Park Map by East Bay Regional Park District, USGS 7.5-min. La Costa Valley
Best Times February–May
Agency Sunol Regional Wilderness, East Bay Regional Park District
Difficulty
SHIELDED FROM VIEW behind landmark Mission Peak, peaceful Sunol Wilderness offers escape in beautiful rolling woodlands. An idyllic backcountry camping area is located at the hike’s midpoint, a tranquil spot and a wonderful way to extend your visit.
The Hike explores the multifaceted character of Sunol Wilderness, passing through majestic oak woodlands, walking open hillsides, and pausing at substantial Alameda Creek as it rushes through a scenic section dubbed “Little Yosemite.” This hike can be completed year-round, but spring is the time to come as hillsides are carpeted green, wildflowers are in bloom, and temperatures are most ideal. Cows graze throughout the park, creating a pleasant manicured landscape full of cow-pie minefields. Crowds around Little Yosemite can be heavy, especially on weekends, but the rest of the trails are more peaceful. Poison oak and stinging nettle are ubiquitous and unfriendly companions on this hike—be watchful. Water is available at the trailhead.
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