Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Turn-by-Turn Mileage Log
Mile 0.0: Start near the information board, and walk uphill on Mine Hill Trail. The fire road climbs at a moderate grade, with oaks and some chaparral plants along the trail. Mile 0.4: Junction with Hacienda Trail and English Camp Trail. Continue straight on Mine Hill Trail. Mile 1.1: Capehorn Pass and junction. Turn right, then left onto Randol Trail. This fire road is nearly level, but what you gain in ease you lose in peacefulness, as this trail overlooks the noisy sprawl of San Jose. Mile 1.6: Day Tunnel site. Huge mounds of mined rock sprawl off the trail on the right. An interpretive sign explains why the tunnel was built, and offers a few historic photos. Just past the site, Day Tunnel Trail veers uphill on the left. Continue straight on Randol Trail. Mile 2.1: Junction with Santa Isabel Trail. Randol Trail loops off to the right. Continue left, on Santa Isabel Trail. Quite a few flowers brighten the sides of the trail in spring. Mile 2.5: Junction with Randol Trail. Some pretty blue oaks tower above grassy hillsides near the junction. Bear left and pick up Randol Trail again. The next segment is varied -- you'll pass through groves of California bay, grassland, oaks, and a strip of chaparral where tall manzanitas and black sage thrive. Mile 3.6: Junction with Prospect #3 Trail. Turn left and start climbing on a tiny path, through grassland dotted with blue and black oaks. Ahead, you'll ascend into mixed woods, then emerge back in grassland on the ridge. Mile 4.2: Junction with Mine Hill Trail. Turn left. Spring wildflower displays include patches of popcorn flower, linanthus, California poppy, johnny-jump-ups, and fiddlenecks. The fire road gently rises along the grassy ridge, with fantastic views west to the Sierra Azul. Mile 4.8: Junction with Catherine Tunnel Trail. Blink and you'll miss it. Continue straight on Mine Hill Trail. Mile 4.9: Bull Run and junction. Take a time out at a picnic table on the right. Mine Hill Trail veers off to the left at the junction, but continue straight on Castillero Trail. As the fire road begins a descent, old mine buildings are visible downhill to the right. Mile 5.7: Junction with Hidalgo Cemetery Trail. Continue straight on Castillero Trail. Mile 6.0: English Camp and multiple junctions. Follow the signs for English Camp Trail, which continues to drop back toward the trailhead, through chaparral and oaks. Mile 6.2: Unsigned junction. Continue straight on English Camp Trail. Mile 7.3: Junction, again, with Mine Hill and Hacienda Trails. Turn right and retrace your steps back to the trailhead. Mile 7.7: Back at the trailhead.
