Pinnacles National Monument

Here’s your local guide on where to hike in South County, including distance and links to past columns by outdoor columnist Ron Erskine.

Alamden Quicksilver County Park: Rolling walk to old quicksilver mine – moderate length

Alviso/Bottom of the Bay: Bay wetlands, levees, and birds – short walk

Bear Ranch: Level ramble, valley views

Bear Ranch Ridgeline: Long rolling ramble, valley views, lake views

Bear Ranch – Mummy Mountain Trail: Sierra-like views and exposures

Calero County Park: Rolling hill south of Calero Reservoir – Figueroa Trail

Calero County Park: Great views of the valley

Coe Park – China Hole: 10-mile walk to a classic Coe destination

Coe Park – Cross country to Middle Fork: Ambitious trip to rarely visitied stretch of creek

Coe Park – Forest/Springs Trail Loop: Easy 3.5 miles – flowers, views, variety

Coe Park – Frog Lake loop: Lovely middle distance walk. Flowers and views

Coe Park- Jim Donnelly Trail: Trail realigned to take advantage of views

Coe Park – Hunting Hollow: Steep climb to late spring flowers – various lengths

Coe Park loop – Middle Ridge: Great 6-mile loop – fall, spring

Coe Park’s Mother Madrone: Finding a massive madrone on the Middle Ridge Trail

Coe Park – Orestimba Trail: A magical view

Coe Park loop – Pine Ridge: Short loop, good spring flowers

Coe Park Backcountry: Large remote wilderness

Coyote Creek Parkway (upstream): Wetlands and waterfowl – short, level

Coyote Creek Parkway – (downstream): Creekside riparian habitat, near freeway – short level

Coyote Ridge: Flowers, wildlife, and interesting biology – short, steep

El Toro history: Steep, steep climb – great views

El Toro annual hike: Steep, steep climb – great views

El Toro: Could be open soon

Fremont Peak: Short walk to summit. Great views.

Gilroy Hot Springs: Scheduled visit to this historic site

Mt. Madonna County Park: Steep wooded climb, cool in summer

Mt. Madonna Watersheds: Short rolling walk in two rainforest-like watersheds

Old Stage Road – north: Climbs the hills near San Juan Bautista – short climb

Old Stage Road – south: Far side of road near San Juan Bautista- short climb

Pacheco State Park: Rolling terrain, great views – various lengths

Panoche Valley: Huge isolated valley – go in spring

Pinnacles National Monument – Chalone Pk.: Highest point at Pinnacles with views over Salinas Valley

Rancho Canada del Oro: Views, flowers, variety. Some steep portions

San Pedro Ponds – Morgan Hill: Trails around restored percolation ponds

Santa Teresa County Park: Bare terrain, spring flowers, views of Almaden – short climb

Uvas County Park: Waterfalls, forests, cool in summer

Watsonville wetlands: Not a wasteland

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Ron Erskine is a local outdoors columnist and avid hiker. Visit him online at www.RonErskine.com, his blog at www.WeeklyTramp.com or email him at [email protected].

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