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A fairly easy, broad, well-maintained trail through beautiful hills with views of the San Francisco South Bay Area.


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Map Key

4.5

Miles

7.3

KM

88%

Runnable

797' 243 m

High

312' 95 m

Low

728' 222 m

Up

738' 225 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views

Overview

A run on beautiful, grass and wooded San Francisco South Bay Area hills. There are expansive views of the populated Bay Area on one side, and unpopulated, pristine, natural scenery on the other side.

Description

The trail is broad and well maintained, ideal for families and groups, as well as runners and solo hikers.

This loop starts on the Senador Mine Trail. The trailhead near the Quicksilver Park entrance, is heavily wooded with a stream going through it that attracts wildlife, such as deer. From the trailhead, the trail follows the stream through a heavily wooded area. It then begins to gently climb, leaving the woods behind, as it emerges into grass hills. Stands of trees dot the grass hills. Views of the San Francisco South Bay unfold as one climbs. The trail flattens out at the top and then descends through more heavily wooded grass hills. The view of the heavily populated Bay Area disappears, and one is now in pristine, undeveloped territory. This is an amazing contrast in a place so close to a highly urbanized metropolis.

The trail transitions to the Guadalupe Trail. The way continues through unpopulated wooded, grass hill countryside, before it then begins another moderate climb. It passes Guadalupe Reservoir as it climbs to its highest point. There, it levels out for a short while before it gradually descends along the Mine Hill Trail back to the trailhead where it started.

Flora & Fauna

Grass hills and wooded areas. Deer.

History & Background

Along the Senador Mine Trail section, it passes the site of the old Senador Mine where ruins of its Scott Furnace dust bins can be seen. Senador Mine was a cinnabar (mercury ore) mine that was opened in 1863. It was actively mined until about 1936. Around 1915, a furnace was built at this mine to process the cinnabar into mercury. One use of mercury is to extract gold from its ore. Thus, cinnabar mining and processing into mercury, was important during the Gold Rush.

Contacts

Shared By:

Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 24 votes

#761

Overall
  4.1 from 24 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
63%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#125

in California

#761

Overall
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13,040 Since Oct 13, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

The Santa Cruz Mountains offer a spectacular backdrop to any adventure in Almaden Quicksilver County Park.
Dec 11, 2016 near Cambria…, CA
A drone captures a beautiful view of the Mine Hill and Guadalupe Trail intersection.
Feb 28, 2017 near Almaden…, CA
Pristine grass hills dot the landscape in Almaden Quicksilver County Park.
Dec 11, 2016 near Cambria…, CA
Guadalupe Reservoir in April. Orange monkey flowers bloom on the bush at the left.
Apr 17, 2019 near Almaden…, CA
Smooth vetch (purple wildflowers) cover a hillside along Guadalupe Trail in April
Apr 17, 2019 near Almaden…, CA
View of Guadalupe Reservoir from the Quicksilver -McAbee Loop.
Jun 11, 2017 near Almaden…, CA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 8 days ago
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