This is shaping up to become an outstanding wildflower Spring. The blossoms first appear in the lower elevation parks such as Santa Teresa County Park, which is at the south end of San Jose. This is one of the first parks to display wildflowers and among the first to lose the main display in May. In late Spring and Summer the hills turn brown and the weather can be hot.
The main reason for Santa Teresa's spectacular wildflower gardens is the presence of serpentine grasslands. Don't miss the Rocky Ridge Trail, which travels a serpentine ridgetop with lots of wildflowers and good views of the Santa Clara Valley, the Diablo Range, including Mount Hamilton, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Serpentine, associated with fault zones, provides poor soil for non-native plants because of its high toxicity and low water-holding capacity, but encourages the growth of indigenous flowering plants in great abundance.
This 1,688-acre park has more than 14 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists. Leashed dogs are allowed on all trails. From the Pueblo Day Use Area you can enjoy a liesurely 3-mile loop by combining the Rocky Ridge, Coyote Peak, and Hidden Springs Trails. The ascent of Coyote Peak, the highest point in the park, will reward you with views of the entire park and surrounding area. You can add another 2 miles to this loop by continuing on the Coyote Peak Trail and then taking the Ohlone and Hidden Springs Trails.
TO GET THERE... from Highway 85 or 101 take the Bernal Road exit and follow Bernal Road west into the park.
No comments:
Post a Comment