ALMADEN QUICKSILVER COUNTY PARK
Mine Hill to Deep Gulch Loop | San Jose, CA
★★☆☆☆
A varied landscape of chaparral and tree-lined trails, expansive views of downtown San Jose and the Sierra Azul Mountains, and a sprinkle of history.
Last hiked 11/29/20
Length: 5.3 mi.
Gain: 1170 ft.
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: Yes
THE RUNDOWN
Quicksilver County Park is home to a variety of trails that meander through an area historically established as a busy “quicksilver” (mercury) mine. Nowadays, it serves as a convenient and immersive escape into nature, situated conveniently at the edge of town.
The park has multiple entrances; make sure to park at the Hacienda Parking Lot. It’s located just off of Almaden Road, across the street from the Casa Grande Mining Museum and La Foret French restaurant (not easily visible from the road). If the main parking lot is full, proceed to the large overflow parking lot directly adjacent.
Quicksilver County Park map with trail overlay generated via caltopo.com. We completed the loop in a counterclockwise direction.
The Hacienda Parking Lot is located off Almaden Road. If the main parking lot is full, proceed to the large overflow lot directly adjacent.
STEP BY STEP
We approached this trail in a counterclockwise direction. ↑ Proceed to Mine Hill Trail from the main Hacienda Parking Lot.
↑ Continue straight past the intersection with English Camp Trail and Hacienda Trail.
Tip: You will arrive at a junction where Mine Hill branches off into Capehorn Pass Trail and Randol Trail. Stop here and check the signs carefully before you...
← Make the first left to stay on Mine Hill Trail.
Tip: Stay left to continue past Day Tunnel Trail on the right.
→ At the fork, make a right to stay on Mine Hill Trail.
Tip: This fork can be confusing. The left fork looks like a continuation of Mine Hill Trail, but it in fact takes you to Castillero Trail. Check signs and stay to the right.
↑ Continue on Mine Hill Trail, staying left to pass April Trail on the right.
Note: You will soon reach Bull Run, where Mine Hill Trail meets Castillero Trail.
← Make a left onto Castillero Trail.
→ When you reach the junction at the English Camp, make a right onto English Camp Trial.
→ Stay right at the fork to follow Deep Gulch Trail. The trail eventually feeds into the overflow parking lot.
Much of this hike consists of wide, open trails -- perfect for your dog or a big group (when circumstances allow).
We're suckers for fall foliage, so this photo was obligatory. Hikes are always better crunchy.
A perfect spot for a snack or water break in the shade, Bull Run also provides an uninterrupted view of the famous Mt. Umunhum and its surrounding hills.
MUSINGS
As you make your initial ascent up Mine Hill Trail, you’ll be able to enjoy a few nice vantage points of San Jose. A good viewpoint is located at the junction of Mine Hill, Capehorn Pass, and Randol Trails. A picnic table is conveniently located here if you want to grab a seat and soak up the views.
Mine Hill Trail is pleasant and partially shaded by evergreens as well as a good number of deciduous trees whose fallen leaves make for a satisfying crunch under your boots in the fall.
Note that Mine Hill Trail intersects with Castillero Trail two times. To avoid confusion, don’t take Castillero until the second intersection, located at Bull Run.
At Bull Run, you’ll enjoy a gorgeous view of the mountains that make up part of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Look for a boxlike building on a peak, and you’ve located Mount Umunhum and its iconic radar tower. This park has a knack for scattering picnic tables in all the right places; the picnic table located at Bull Run is the perfect place for a snack break with a view.
Before you turn from Castillero Trail onto English Camp Trail, you’ll pass by historical mining remnants of English Camp. If you're a fan of history, take a moment to read the informative signs recounting a piece of Quicksilver history. Speaking of which — we haven’t spent much time describing historical stuff despite this being a historical trail, because Eagle Scout Zachary Taich did such a great job in his Historic Trail Guide - check it out if you’re curious! Note that our trail is similar to, but not exactly the same as, his outlined trail in reverse.
Deep Gulch Trail traverses a more rugged, chaparral-like terrain that we really loved. The novelty of its woody, shrubby vegetation and rockier trail textures kept things interesting as we concluded our trek. You’ll emerge into the overflow parking lot when the trail ends.
MORE INFO
Some Reminders
Be careful of ticks. We recommend doing a thorough tick check afterwards. Remember to check your dog, too!
Read the trail signs carefully and double check your map, as some intersections and forks can be confusing.
Helpful Resources
Official park page and trail map here.
Historic Trail Guide, Eagle Scout Project by Zachary Taich, which follows a similar trail in reverse.
Good Eats
Country Inn Cafe is a cozy, wholesome, grandma’s kitchen-style eatery. Large and hearty portions fit for a hungry hiker. One of our longtime tried and true favorites.
We love a good hole in the wall. Tacos Al Pastor is an unassuming Mexican restaurant, tucked away in the Almaden Safeway Plaza. They’ve got plenty of great options on their menu, but we highly recommend their fish tacos.