Rescheduled-Hike: Calero County Park (South Bay)
Distance: 8.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000’ (Moderately Strenuous)
Estimated Time: 5 hours (including a lunch stop)
Parking: Free
Calero County Park is one of Santa Clara County's most diverse regional park and recreation areas. Once part of the Pueblo lands of San Jose, and Rancho San Vincente land grant, this approximately 4,471 acre park is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Two distinct areas define this park: the reservoir, which offers a host of water-oriented recreational activities, and the adjoining "back country" which reveals to the visitor California Oak woodland, chaparral, riparian plant communities and associated wildlife habitats. During the months of March, April and May the "back country" offers a spectacular display of wildflowers. (Unfortunately, low rainfall in 2017/18 may reduce the show.) In addition, the park offers breathtaking views of southern Santa Clara County and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountain Range.
Route: We will start in the Parking area at the Main Entrance on McKean Rd (see directions below), winding our way on the Los Cerritos trail past Calero Reservoir to the Pena Trail. From there we’ll head west to the Serpentine Loop, on which we’ll hike clockwise, stopping for lunch at Fish Camp. When we complete the loop, we’ll take the Figueroa trail to the Vallecitos trail and return to the Parking area on the Pena and Los Cerritos trails. Trail maps are posted at: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Documents/CaleroGuideMap.pdf
Other notes: Dogs are permitted on these trails. There are portable outhouses at the start of our hike.
Warning: This is a moderately strenuous hike. Please be sure that you are comfortable with this level of effort before joining us.
What to Bring: Start your day with a hearty breakfast. Bring water (at least 2 liters per person), lunch, snacks, hat, windbreaker, and multiple layers of clothing. Sunblock and sunglasses are advisable.
Where we will meet: We will meet in the Parking area at theCalero County Park trailhead staging area on McKean Rd., San Jose. There are multiple entrances to the park so follow these directions carefully. The GPS Coordinates (Lat/Long) for the turnoff from McKean Rd are: 37.17266938405215,-121.75905461398969. Here are 3 possible routes: (1) Traveling to the entrance from Central San Jose, take Almaden Expressway south to Harry Road. Turn right onto Harry Road; then left onto McKean Road. The entrance is on the right; about 5.0 miles south of Harry Roadpast the Boat Launch Entrance (on the right) and past Bailey Ave (on the left). (2) Traveling to the park on southbound Highway 101, exit Bailey Ave (Exit 373) and turn right. Head west on Bailey Ave until you reach McKean Rd. Turn left and continue about 0.7 miles and the entrance will be on your right. (c) Traveling on northbound Highway 101, exit Bailey Ave (Exit 373) and turn left onto Bailey Ave heading west. Continue on Bailey Ave until you reach McKean Rd and make a left. The entrance is about 0.7 miles on your right.
Rain/Weather policy: If there's any ambiguity about the weather on the day of the hike, check the forecast on the morning of the hike.
If it's raining significantly, the hike is cancelled. If the weather is ambiguous, we will send out an email to the registered participants on the morning of the hike.
Disclaimers: Joining any hike is entirely voluntary and participants assume any and all risks associated with the activities. By registering or attending this event, participants agree to the conditions posted HERE
