Calero County Park Figure-8 Ramble

Today was another glorious day for a field trip for my College of San Mateo Peninsula Parks & Trails class.  From the south entrance to Calero County Park we hiked the Access Trail to the Los Cerritos Trail, pausing at the pond to appreciate the song and antics of a colony of redwing blackbirds. With much aerobic exertion we then ascended a ridge on the Pena Trail, with great views of Mount Hamilton to the east and Mount Umunhum to the west.

From the intersection, where four trails meet, we traveled the Javelina Loop, stopping to examine an elevated hotel for bats. From the intersection with the Cottle Trail we charged uphill and to the south on the Javelina Loop, stopping for about half an hour for lunch at an open hillside, where there were lots of wildflowers, including wild onions and goldfield, and a great view of the Calero Reservoir.

On the way back, we stopped to look at the Fish Camp pond and some beautiful white oaks. Returning to the intersection we then headed southeast on the Figueroa Trail and north on the Vallecito Trail. The rest of the route retraced our steps on the Pena Trail, Los Cerritos Trail, and Access Trail. I picked up a large gopher snake on the way back. Most of the group declined the offer to hold the creature.

Our route covered about 6 miles of rugged terrain, mostly on old ranch road trails. Some of the route is quite steep, but the trails are in excellent condition.  Much to our surprise we saw no equestrians along the way.

TO GET THERE... from Highway 101 south of San Jose, take Bailey Avenue west and McKean Road south to the park entrance.