BMHS Henry W Coe State Park Hike & Picnic Register

Date and Time:
Sat, May 10, 2025; 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM  (Pacific)

Organized By: Loma Prieta Black Mntn Hiking

Location: Hunting Hollow Entrance Henry W Coe State Park

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Kimberly Sandstrom
   outingsbmhs@gmail.com

Level: Strenuous (3C) 10.3 mi, 2000 ft gain

Meet: Enter at the Hunting Hollow Entrance (4826 Gilroy Hot Springs Road, Gilroy CA 95020, GPS: 37.0762, -121.4671) Bring cash or check $6/5 senior and pay the day use fee, using provided envelopes and iron ranger. Outhouses available, but no water.

Description: Our large loop trek will begin on Hunting Hollow Road with about a half dozen creek crossings that may require rock hopping, or may be dry. We will gain most of our elevation on long, steep ascents up Lyman Wilson Ridge Trail. Bowl Trail will provide a mostly level path to Wilson Camp where we will see remnants of a cabin and outbuildings. Also at Wilson Camp a shaded picnic table makes a nice snack break spot, plus there is a vault toilet. We’ll have a short, not-so-steep ascent again on Steer Ridge Road, and if the weather is clear, we’ll see Monterey Bay to our west and the snowy Sierra Nevada crest to our east. Spectacular! We will visit Wilson Peak, have lunch (seating on ground only) and continue along to Jim Donnelly Trail, which will provide us switchbacks down to the trailhead with no long, steep descents. After the hike, we will make use of the picnic area where we parked to enjoy refreshments. Bring place setting for yourself and food or drink to share.

Natural History: Henry W Coe State Park is the largest state park in Northern California, preserving 87,000 acres of mostly undeveloped habitat in the Diablo Mountain Range and offering abundant recreational opportunities. See more history at The Pine Ridge Association’s excellent website where you can learn about everything related to the Park, including plants, animals, trail conditions, water resources, maps, events and more. Poison oak, ticks and rattlesnakes make their homes in the park, so learn to identify them and steer clear of them.

Love our preserved, natural spaces? Why not join the Sierra Club? Conservation, protection and restoration projects can always benefit from greater support and you can help.

Join our email list: If you would like to be on our email list to receive our hike announcement and cancellation notice, please sign up here.

Sierra Club guide for our hike outings: Neither vaccinations nor masks are required. But if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, are sick, or have recently tested positive for COVID do not hike with us on this day. Every participant is responsible for reporting these conditions to the leader if symptoms develop after the hike. We will then notify the other participants.

Level: Strenuous(3C)

Cost: Free

Signup Instructions: Complete all steps of RSVP process, including completing, downloading and printing required medical form

Bring: sturdy hiking boots/shoes, 2L water, layered clothing, snacks, lunch, sun protection, basic first aid kit, hiking poles (optional), potluck food/drink to share at post-hike picnic and place setting for yourself.

Cancellation Policy: steady rain; forecast temp > 85F; AQI > 100

Medical Form