coyote creek trail....any hints
01-13-12, 05:07 PM
#1
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coyote creek trail....any hints
any thing to watch out for..... rough areas, extra cool things to look at, secret taco truck...whatever
I am overdue to try it out......will start at tully road (about 5 miles from home) and see how far i get.
thanks
I am overdue to try it out......will start at tully road (about 5 miles from home) and see how far i get.
thanks
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01-13-12, 07:14 PM
#2
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My wife & I ride that trail regularly. We usually start from the Blossom Hill/Silver Creek parking lot and ride south. The trail is a little bumpy for the first 2-3 miles going south, and often has lots of walkers/runners/dog walkers ... so go slowly, especially around the corners. Once you get south of Metcalf Road, it's less crowded. At Metcalf, instead of riding the trail south, take the road just to the left of the trail (Coyote Ranch Dr., I think) -- much easier/nicer ride down to Coyote Ranch, and then you pick up the trail again. Right near there is an area where people go to train working dogs (herders, etc) so on a nice weekend, you might get treated to some doggie acrobatics!
The coolest thing is the model plane airport, about 2.5 miles north of Morgan Hill. You can stop and watch them fly the RC planes -- lots of fun, especially on a sunny weekend day.
Once you reach the end of the trail, if you turn right on Cochrane (or you can wind through the neighborhood, if you want a little less traffic), you'll reach a shopping center about a mile down on the right with a Starbuck's -- it makes a nice turnaround spot. We grab a coffee, refill water if needed, and relax for a few minutes before fighting the wind back north!
Enjoy!
The coolest thing is the model plane airport, about 2.5 miles north of Morgan Hill. You can stop and watch them fly the RC planes -- lots of fun, especially on a sunny weekend day.
Once you reach the end of the trail, if you turn right on Cochrane (or you can wind through the neighborhood, if you want a little less traffic), you'll reach a shopping center about a mile down on the right with a Starbuck's -- it makes a nice turnaround spot. We grab a coffee, refill water if needed, and relax for a few minutes before fighting the wind back north!
Enjoy!
01-14-12, 10:47 PM
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If it had been raining at all this winter, I would caution you that some places do flood on the trail, but as we haven't had any, it should be dry. Last year, there were places where the water was at least 3 feet deep and swift moving, from all the water being released out of Lake Anderson.
01-18-12, 12:43 PM
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^^ goaliedad30 mentioned most of the highlights on Coyote Creek Trail.
Tully Rd (where the library is) is the trail head, riding south, you'll go past the Los Lagos golf course right alongside the driving range which is a little funny when golf balls start flying into the fence. You'll also go through Hellyer Park right past the velodrome (1 of 9 or 12 left in the country?) which is neat, and the track is usually open on weekend mornings if you want to have a look. The model airplane park is a fun, nice rest stop or if you want to relax. At the end, as mentioned, you can go right on Cochrane to the shopping center for Starbucks or Red Robin.
If you're up for a little challenge, go left on Cochrane instead, and continue on two small climbs to Lake Anderson dam. After the left on Cochrane, keep riding and the road will curve to the right for the first small climb to the entrance of the park. The entrance will be on your left and after passing the ranger station, go to the right for the second climb up to the dam. You can ride over the dam, and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. Go down carefully the other side of the dam as it's a pretty fast downhill with a few technical turns.
As mentioned by deep_sky, during the wet season, several places on the trail can get flooded, so be careful. Also, between Tully and Hellyer Park, there seems to be more homeless activity than other parts of the trail, just thought I'd warn you as it can make some riders uncomfortable. That's one of the reasons that starting at the Blossom Hill/Coyote entrance is more favorable (as mentioned by goaliedad30).
Tully Rd (where the library is) is the trail head, riding south, you'll go past the Los Lagos golf course right alongside the driving range which is a little funny when golf balls start flying into the fence. You'll also go through Hellyer Park right past the velodrome (1 of 9 or 12 left in the country?) which is neat, and the track is usually open on weekend mornings if you want to have a look. The model airplane park is a fun, nice rest stop or if you want to relax. At the end, as mentioned, you can go right on Cochrane to the shopping center for Starbucks or Red Robin.
If you're up for a little challenge, go left on Cochrane instead, and continue on two small climbs to Lake Anderson dam. After the left on Cochrane, keep riding and the road will curve to the right for the first small climb to the entrance of the park. The entrance will be on your left and after passing the ranger station, go to the right for the second climb up to the dam. You can ride over the dam, and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. Go down carefully the other side of the dam as it's a pretty fast downhill with a few technical turns.
As mentioned by deep_sky, during the wet season, several places on the trail can get flooded, so be careful. Also, between Tully and Hellyer Park, there seems to be more homeless activity than other parts of the trail, just thought I'd warn you as it can make some riders uncomfortable. That's one of the reasons that starting at the Blossom Hill/Coyote entrance is more favorable (as mentioned by goaliedad30).
Last edited by kreative; 01-18-12 at 02:18 PM.
01-20-12, 11:50 AM
#5
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We started at the Velodrome on HPV day and rode south. There's a place where it actually crosses the creek that has a bit of water over it when it's dry out. The place should be flooded when raining.
01-22-12, 10:37 PM
#6
The Left Coast, USA
Nice long cruiser or beginner ride, watch for a couple of creek crosses during rainy season as noted above.
Also, on nice days there may be some "enthustiastic" riders bombing through the blind curves at speed or coming up fast from behind; I don't intend the comment as a put off ... just be aware that the Velodrome is not the only place people like to race around there. Stay alert and to the right on curves ... better safe than sorry.
Also, on nice days there may be some "enthustiastic" riders bombing through the blind curves at speed or coming up fast from behind; I don't intend the comment as a put off ... just be aware that the Velodrome is not the only place people like to race around there. Stay alert and to the right on curves ... better safe than sorry.
