This tree was the "Hanging Tree", which was used on multiple occasions in the 1800s to hang criminals. Umunhun (The highest mountain in the Sierra Azul range, with the large rectangular building on it), you will see an Oak tree not far away at the edge of a trail heading out, right above a long, treeless slope. Here is where one of my favorite parts of the parks is - If you are standing in front of the Rotary Furnace and turn around to point at Mt.
It is still being worked on to contain the mercury waste. Also nearby, a large section of earth to the north that is slightly terraced and clearly man made - this is where probably the largest mine in the park was located at the bottom of Mine Hill. This furnace in particular was built a bit later, but is opened up and allows you to see how cinnabar (The orange rock that contains mercury) was broken apart and smelted down to remove the mercury. Rotary Furnace and Spanish Town: Not much remains of Spanish Town unfortunately, but one of the largest structures in the park - the Rotary Furnace - is there. Even after the mine is sealed, tailings usually remain.). (Mine tailings, which you will see plenty of in Quicksilver, are the rocks and dirt remains that came out of a mine as it was being dug, sort of like an ant hill. As you hike it, observe the mine tailings and rugged terrain remaining from the former mines. Yellow Kid will pass you along one of the most heavily mined areas. Yellow Kid Trail (named after an old comic book character that was painted yellow) is more of a real trail, being only single track and more windy. Yellow Kid and Castillero Trails: Take either of these West. Theres picnic tables, a memorial to the Civilian Conservation Corps, a horse trough, and some decent views both North towards San Jose and South towards Almaden Reservoir. Several structures remain - a large barn/shop likely built in the early 1900s, a few of the original shacks here and there, a stone chimney (follow Church Hill trail East - it's short), and also the partially restored "Chart House" I believe it's called, which used to house maps. You will notice several non-indigenous trees and plants originating from the 1800s inhabitants that worked the nearby mines. English Camp is located in a gap in Capitancilanos Ridge. Reward? At the end is English Camp, site of one of the original mining towns.Įnglish Camp: Great place for lunch or a break.
It's a decent little climb of about 600 feet in just over a mile, and on a sunny afternoon you can get cooking pretty well surprisingly. The trail itself, a dirt road, passes through nice views of New Almaden, Almaden Reservoir, and up to Loma Prieta (Above the site of the 1989 Earthquake). Start to English Camp: Continue on Mine Hill Trail, making a left at the first junction onto English Camp Trail, staying on this until you reach English Camp. View of Almaden Reservoir, looking South from Quicksilver Take the dirt road gate, which is "Mine Hill Trail".
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Make sure to grab one of the free maps at the information board. At the back of the dirt parking lot is a information board, and a gate over a dirt road that goes up the side of the mountain (Capitancillos Ridge). As much history as there is here, I will save that for another more in depth post on Quicksilver. Across Almaden Road is a memorial to Pat Tillman, and also a historical market laying "claim" to the first mining in California. At about 3 miles, after passing through old New Almaden, you will see a dirt parking lot. Reach it by taking Almaden Road from Almaden Expressway. This is probably the most popular and commonly known entrance to Quicksilver. Start: Start at the Hacienda Entrance to Almaden Quicksilver. You can start and end at the same entrance, the Hacienda Entrance. The Cemetery Loop is about 3.5 miles round trip - and if hiked straight through should take about 2 hours at a light pace. Hacienda Entrance - the Rattleshake on a foggy January morningĪfter having hiked and explored Quicksilver countless times since I was a kid, I've developed this loop, which I'll call the "Cemetery Loop" after the Hidalgo Cemetery which this loop crosses through. Some other time I will provide a post about Almaden Quicksilver County Park (I'll call it "Quicksilver" from here on out, as a lot of south bay locals refer to it). Why is it my favorite? It's a sure bet, enjoyable hike that I always go on with friends.
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This blog refers to trails and sites found on The Almaden Quicksilver County Park PDF Map.Īs my first post for Stones and Bones, I'll share with you my favorite hike.