Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club

Organize car pools in the comments section.
End time approximate
To OFFICIALLY register for this free event, please click on this link.

After our walk, the excellent visitor center is fun and interesting to visit and there is a magical butterfly/nectar garden.

The walk/hike is about 4 miles in length, and will gain about 200 feet. We will be making frequent stops to observe nature. We will also be respecting the indigenous people inhabitants of this area, the Ohlone Muwekma Tribe.

As you enter the park, drive to the very end of the road and park. There is a $5 per vehicle entrance fee.

If you wish to stay after our hike/walk ends to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables, please do so. Picnic tables are near the parking lot so you can leave your lunch in the car.

This event is open to Veterans and their families, and any other members of the public who wish to attend. We will be honoring Veterans service and Celebrating Earth Day!

If you are a veteran and need assistance with transportation or the entry fee, please reach out to the leader. We got you covered!

In case link above does not work, use this: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000mUJo6IAG&mapLinkHref=https://maps.google.com/maps&daddr=Coyote%20Hills%20Nature/Flower%20Easy%20A.M.%20Hike%20to%20Celebrate%20Earth%20Day%20&%20our%20Veterans@37.556629,-122.09406

You must RSVP at the Pathfinders' Meetup here.
2.8 miles, 515' elevation gain
The trail is a little steep near the beginning, but the grades are mostly gentle. We'll start on the Old Spanish and Coal Mine Ridge Trails and then use the Old Spanish Trail to return to the trailhead.
Bring a snack, water, and possibly poles. No restrooms or water available.
Since this is a Sierra Club hike, you must complete and carry a paper copy of the Local Outings Medical Form and sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead at the start of the hike.

Historically, the Muwekma Ohlone people were the original stewards of this area. Portola may have used the Old Spanish Trail in 1789 as he traversed the ridge on his way to Pacifica. In 1885, a coal mine was established. However, the only coal found there was poor quality, and a major landslide in 1890 buried the mine beyond recovery. More recently, the lovely Toyon Trail was built by volunteers as part of this private park open to the public.

Because of rain, our last two attempts to hike here were canceled. Thanks to the rain, though, the wildflowers are now in full bloom. There are so many colors and so many ways of attracting insects to pollinate them.

Directions: Take Hwy 280 to the Alpine Rd exit, head west for 4.0 mi, and watch for a small parking area along the street. If that's full, turn right onto Willowbrook Dr. – there is usually plenty of space. Walk across Alpine Rd. to the trailhead.

Optional post-hike lunch at Rossotti's, 3915 Alpine Rd., Portola Valley.

More information here.

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.

Wear/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.

Signup Instructions:

1. Signup for this hike via Sierra Club site ONLY (this Meetup site is for people to coordinate carpool amongst themselves only. Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.)
2. Please provide emergency contact name and phone number as well as your email and phone contact information when you signup.
3. Complete, print and bring with you the required medical form for this backcountry outing. You will show me that the form has been completed and then you will stow it in your own first aid kit. In the event of a medical emergency, the form will be given to first responders, so include information that they should be aware of when providing you with emergency medical treatment.

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.

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