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This is a trail that gradually climbs a ridge as it winds through rolling grass hills studded with oak trees.


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Map Key

1.8

Miles

2.9

KM

85%

Runnable

1,065' 325 m

High

360' 110 m

Low

709' 216 m

Up

4' 1 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

28%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is open 8 a.m. to sunset.

Description

The Willow Springs Trail trailhead can be found on San Martin Avenue at the Harvey Bear Ranch Entrance to Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park.

Willow Springs Trail climbs gradually and continually as it winds its way through rolling grass hills studded with oak trees. It heads towards Coyote Lake, which comes into view at the very end after a final climb. The golden grasses of summer and autumn become bright green with patches of yellow mustard in the winter and spring when the rains come.

Several trail junctions are passed along the way: a cutoff to Martin Murphy Trail at mile 0.15, Harvey Bear Trail at mile 0.4, Townsprings Trail at mile 1.0, and Rancho San Ysidro Trail at mile 1.1.

There are expansive views of the pristine grass hills looking north, northeast, east, and southeast. Looking behind (south, southwest, west, and northwest), are equally expansive views of rural southern Santa Clara Valley, and the forested, dark green Santa Cruz Mountains in the far distance to the southwest and west. If one looks carefully, they can pick out Mt. Umunhum in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Flora & Fauna

Deer, wild pigs, and cows can be found here. Birds abound as well—common ones are yellow-billed magpies, red-wing blackbirds, steller's jays, and hawks. Wildflowers bloom in the spring, especially bright yellow mustard, some poppies, and lupine.

Contacts

Land Manager: Santa Clara County Parks

Shared By:

Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#25428

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
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4 Star
50%
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Trail Rankings

#2,635

in California

#25,428

Overall
3 Views Last Month
336 Since Apr 7, 2018
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

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Photos

A small creek cuts through the grass hills along Willow Springs Trail.
Apr 8, 2018 near San Martin, CA
Mustard blooms in the spring along Willow Springs Trail.
Apr 8, 2018 near San Martin, CA
Willow Springs Trail heads into the oak-studded grass hills of Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park.
Apr 8, 2018 near San Martin, CA
Purple milk thistle amid the yellow mustard along Rancho San Ysidro Trail in late April.
Apr 24, 2018 near San Martin, CA
Coyote Lake comes into view at the high point of Willow Springs Trail.
Apr 8, 2018 near San Martin, CA

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