Almaden Quicksilver

Steep climb to historic area. All roads out of the Hacienda entrance lead upwards. So be prepared for a climb. The trail begins at the back of the overflow parking area, past the rusting artifacts well to the left of the entrance. This route is under solid shade for the first mile, but it is quite a workout. Towards the top, the Deep Gulch trail wraps around before joining the English Camp trail for the last 0.4 miles to the shaded picnic tables at the English Camp area. Here you will see a handful of decaying buildings that is all that remain of the historic headquarters of the mining operations that dominated the park until the 1900's when the town was abandoned. Plaques scattered around the area tell much of the story. Notice the flowers and trees left over from earlier times. Garden Roses, Narcissi, Bearded Irises, Periwinkle, etc. The route back can be summarized in two words, wide and steep. In summer, you can add "hot and dry". Head down to the junction with the Mine Hill trail and make a right turn for home.

Trail map

Grand tour of two of the main park trails. This hike begins with a long uphill climb, rising 650 feet on the Mine Hill trail over about a mile to the junction with the Randol trail. The next four miles are more or less flat, but undulate up and down 100 feet here and there. After 0.5 miles we pass the historic Day Tunnel area, with its picnic bench and shade, and another 0.8 miles brings us to another historically important area, where you can see the large granite foundations that remain of a building that held a water pump for the Buena Vista Shaft. The trail continues under mixed shade another 1.3 miles to the junction with the Prospect #3 trail and then a further 1.3 miles to the Mine Hill trail. Here you can rest a while on the bench and enjoy the view of the Guadalupe Reservoir. The trail now begins its second long climb, about 800 feet over the 2.2 miles to Bull Run. Once you turn the corner at the junction with the Providencia trail, you will get great views of the reservoir and all points north. Bull Run has another wonderful bench to rest, with a great view of Mt Umunhum , but if time permits, explore the adjacent Catherine Tunnel trail, which has another bench with equally amazing views, in this case of South San Jose. The next half a mile or so is one of my favorite stretches of trail in the park, with more wonderful views, and vistas in every direction. Take the English Camp trail down to English Camp where you can see the handful of decaying buildings, which is all that remains of the historic headquarters of the mining operations that dominated the park until the 1900's when the town was abandoned. Plaques scattered around the area tell much of the story. Notice the flowers and trees left over from earlier times. The trail down is unspectacular and rather steep, but does offer reasonable views. For a shady alternative, you can try the Deep Gulch trail which also leads back to the Hacienda parking lot.

Trail map