If you enjoy visiting wild and remote country that is barely
beyond the city limits, now is the time to seize a rare
opportunity.
If you enjoy visiting wild and remote country that is barely beyond the city limits, now is the time to seize a rare opportunity.
I have been a volunteer at Henry W. Coe State Park for many years and have written about it several times. This huge wild park is an incredible resource for lovers of the natural world who don’t mind hiking, biking or horseback riding into its interior. But there is a heck of a lot of hiking, biking and horseback riding involved with seeing points deep inside the park. On the weekend of April 24 and 25, a limited number of people will be able to drive into the remote east side of the park and easily reach points that are 20 or 30 miles from the normal Morgan Hill and Gilroy entrances.
Want to visit Mississippi Lake (Motto: Where the fish are stupid)? It’s a brutal 12-mile hike from Coe headquarters through deeply corrugated terrain over steep (and I mean steep) roads and trails. On this one weekend, Mississippi Lake and other lakes like Kingbird Pond, Mustang Pond and Jackrabbit Lake, which are even further from headquarters, will be a pleasant day hike from your car.
If you have hiked or backpacked in the western regions of the park, your visit to the east side will be a revelation. The steep and rough country that is characteristic of the west side relaxes into broad park-like settings. Approaching the Orestimba Corral, you will roll through gentle grassy terrain dotted with blue oaks that shade lazy streams and plenty of wildflowers. That 12-mile hike to Mississippi Lake is now reduced to just over four.
There are many things to do and places to go during the Backcountry Weekend. You can join group activities or venture off on your own. Volunteers who are familiar with the area will be there to help you pick a route that suits you. Here are my suggestions to get the most out of your visit to the Coe Backcountry.
Bring the car camping stuff and spend the night. One day is not enough to see this region of the park. The dinner you cook may not pass muster at home, but it will taste great out there. If you have kids, they will love romping the hills and creeks here. I don’t know what is in store this year, but the evening campfire program at the Orestimba Corral is always memorable.
People will be allowed to camp near their cars anywhere between the Pacheco Creek Crossing and the Orestimba Corral. I suggest driving all the way to the Orestimba Corral. This is where the magic of the east side begins. Here and beyond, Coe Park’s rough terrain begins to change its mood and relax. When you set out on a hike or bike ride, venture further down Orestimba Creek Road as far as your fitness and desire will take you. Explore Mustang Flat, Paradise Flat and Red Creek. Lots of people will go to Mississippi Lake to fish. If you want solitude, stay away.
Cars with reservations will enter the park at Bell Station which is approximately four miles past Casa de Fruta on Highway 152. You may come for a single weekend day or stay the weekend. You can camp near your car or backpack deeper into this incredible country. If you are interested, go to www.coepark.org. Under “Notable Dates” click “Backcountry Weekend.” From there you can download a reservation form and get instructions on what to do. Demand is greater than the 330 cars allowed each day, so mail-in applications will be drawn until the weekend is full.
There are plans to develop an east side campground at the Dowdy Ranch that would be reached via Bell Station as well, but stop far short of the Orestimba Corral. When that happens, there will be no more Backcountry Weekends. Go while you can.
