Almaden Quicksilver

Short out-and-back to a picnic table. Three trails leave the Mockingbird parking lot; take the narrow New Almaden Trail on the righ hand side of the lot. The first 0.1 miles is uphill to the crossing of the Hacienda trail. Head down and along the narrow trail over the small wooden bridge. Between April and May, the next half mile has some of the finest wildflowers you will see anywhere. Like much of the New Almaden trail, this section cuts in and out of canyons as it rises and falls moderately. Cross a small stream to the picnic table. Reverse direction to return.

Trail map

Moderately hilly two-hour hike with some steep downhill towards the end. This is one of the best hikes in the park. Three trails leave the Mockingbird parking lot; you will leave and return on the narrow New Almaden Trail at the righthand side of the lot. The first 0.1 miles is uphill to the crossing of the Hacienda trail. Head down and along the narrow trail over the small wooden bridge. Between April and May, the next half mile has some of the finest wildflowers you will see anywhere. Like much of the New Almaden trail, this section cuts in and out of canyons as it rises and falls moderately. Cross a small stream and turn sharp right up the slope. At the top of this section the trail turns back to the left and we should take the left fork at the trail marker, up through the big berry manzanita to the Buena Vista area. Here you can see the large granite foundations that remain of a building that held a water pump for the Buena Vista Shaft. Follow the trail around on what is almost a contour, passing the Day Tunnel after about 0.5 miles. Continue on another 0.5 miles to the junction of the Randol and Mine Hill trails, where a picnic bench offers a welcome rest. Climb up over Capehorn pass and make a left onto the Hacienda trail, which will return you to the New Almaden trail after about 0.8 miles of quite steep downhill. A well placed bench roughly marks the high point and offers nice views of the park itself.

Trail map

Sweeping loop though much of the northeastern corner of the park. Three trails leave the Mockingbird parking lot; you will leave and return on the narrow New Almaden trail at the righthand side of the lot. The first 0.1 miles is uphill to the crossing of the Hacienda trail. Head down and along the narrow trail over the small wooden bridge. Between April and May, the next half mile has some of the finest wildflowers you will see anywhere. Like much of the New Almaden trail, this section cuts in and out of canyons as it rises and falls moderately. Cross a small stream and turn sharp right up the slope. At the top of this section the trail turns to the left and we should keep going straight to take the New Almaden trail. Here we pass through grassy hills and groves of mostly blue oaks, and wind our way in and out of canyons. This section has a selection of unusual wildflowers, including hookers fairy bells and false solomon seal. After 1.3 miles, we take a left turn up the steep slopes of the Prospect #3 trail and arrive at a welcome picnic bench close to the junction with the Randol trail. Here we turn left along the much wider and more open trail and should make good time over the next 1.3 miles to the junction with the Santa Isabel trail, where you will stay left. A short while later you will bear right see the large granite foundations that remain of a building that once held a water pump for the Buena Vista Shaft. The next mile is rather flat as you follow a contour around towards Cape Horn Pass. The last quarter mile is uphill before the left turn onto the Hacienda trail, which will return you to the New Almaden trail after about 0.8 miles of quite steep downhill.

Trail map