PACHECO FALLS: HENRY COE STATE PARK SUNDAY HIKE
Hike Date: Sunday, April 23, 2023
Leader: Peter McCluskey
Leader Email: peter.c.mccluskey@gmail.com
Leader Phone: 408 315-8120
Meeting Location (ONLY IF you've arranged for a ride in SF): Whole Foods;
2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Please only show up at Whole Foods if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.
Meeting Time: 8:00 AM
Departure Time: Shortly after 8:00 AM
Rating: Level 5
Mileage: 19 miles
Elevation Gain: 5000'
Description: Note: this is a tentative plan. Pacheco Falls is my favorite bay area hike when the wildflowers are at their peak in a rainy year. At roughly 135 feet, the waterfall is one of the most impressive ones in our area. Even if you can't do the full hike to the waterfall, the hike is worth doing for the flowers, ponds, and ridgetop views. The hike is mostly a loop, but there will be options for hikers to do 10 or 15 mile versions if you're willing to wait 2 to 3 hours while the group goes to the falls (but expect at least 3000 feet of elevation gain). Note that the mileage assumes that people will end the hike at the Coyote Creek Entrance, and wait there 45+ minutes for me to walk 2 miles of paved road to my car, then drive to pick you up. There's little shade. At least half the hike will be on fire roads. I may change the date if the forecast is for warm weather on the 23rd (most likely to the 22nd or 29th), or I may cancel it if too few people RSVP.
Please RSVP or email me by April 19 if you are considering attending.
Bring / Wear: At least three liters of water (some of which should be frozen unless the weather is cooler than average), lunch, hat, sunscreen
Weather Policy: Contact hike leader if weather is questionable.
Trailhead Meeting Place: Hunting Hollow Entrance, Gilroy Hot Springs, Gilroy. From SF or the East Bay, get on 101 and go past San Jose and Morgan Hill, exit at the Masten Ave. exit. Left on Masten, right on Center, left on Rucker, right on New Ave., left onto Roop Rd all the way to Hunting Hollow Entrance. Google Maps Link
Trailhead Meeting Time: 9:30 AM
Trailhead Departure Time: 9:45 AM
Total driving distance, there and back: 170 miles (SF); 164 miles (Rockridge)
Carpool Fees (incl. pkg fee) from SF: $23 From Rockridge BART: $22
- CASH ONLY FOR THE $6 PARKING FEE -
Level-1
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Level-2
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Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
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easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
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moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
|
strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
|
very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
