This park has over 29M of trails that provide a challenging workout of short, steep climbs in Oak Woodlands, Chaparral, Grasslands and Manzanita plant communities. There are remnants of mining structures throughout the park from over 100 years of quicksilver (mercury) production. If you are training for difficult, hot and long distance races, these trails will help prepare you.
The New Almaden Trail, located at the Mockingbird Entry, starts off with several different plant types within the first 1/2M. There are a few short wooden bridges that need to be crossed before you start zig-zagging through some steep rollers; watch out for some of the downhills that twist and turn sharply! Although you need to pay attention to your footing, this trail is one of the more scenic.
The Hacienda Entry has two fairly steep, wide trails, both hot and dusty. The Hacienda Trail is a 3M loop, which also connects to the Mockingbird Hill Entry, 1.2M away. The Mine Hill Trail offers several sealed mines to see, the San Cristobal Mine at 1740 feet may be viewed from behind a locked gate.
Facilities: Water is only available at the Hacienda and Mockingbird entrances. Restrooms are at all three park entrances. Office (408) 268-3883. Museum (408) 268-7129.
Although there are no bike lanes designated to Almaden Quicksilver, there is a nice ride out to the Almaden Reservoir by way of Almaden Road. Sadly, the sediments are contaminated with mercury, so there is no swimming or facilities. There are many good biking lanes around nearby Lake Almaden, site of the Danskin Women's Triathlon. The Hacienda Entry is less than 10M miles away.
Tips:
It
can get extremely hot here in the summer. Be sure to take your own, and
plenty of it.
Sunscreen
with insect repellent is a must.
After
heavy rains, the fallen leaves are very slippery, and can make the trails,
especially the New Almaden, downright treacherous. Wait several weeks after
the rains, the paths do not drain well. The park can also become enmeshed
by thick fog, and long range visibility can be poor.
Directions:
Mockingbird
Entrance: From Highway 85, take the Almaden Expressway exit south 4.5M
to Almaden Road. Proceed 1/2M to Mockingbird Lane, then turn right and
continue to the parking area.
Hacienda
Entrance: From the Almaden Expressway, go 3M along Almaden Road (turn right
towards the mountains) through the town of New Almaden to the unpaved staging
area on the right.
McAbee
Entrance: Turn south off of Camden Avenue and follow McAbee Road. Only
street parking is available.
Tri Home.