About Almaden Quicksilver County Park: Almaden Quicksilver County Park is the original site of over 135 years of mining activities where at one time more than 1,800 miners and their families lived and worked. The park has 3977 acres of mixed scenery and remnants of the mining era and operations which happened during the latter part of the 19th Century. Almaden Quicksilver Park has over 33 mles of hiking and biking trails and is also a popular neighborhood park for pet owners to walk their dogs on a leash. The trails are diverse and interesting with remnants of mining structures throughout the park. The park is primarily dominated by a blend of Oak Woodland and is also home to over 500 plants species. You may also expect to see Manzanita, Coyote Brush as well as over fifty grass species.
Hike Description: Hacienda Trail to Mine Hill Loop - The trail begins at the Hacienda Park Entrance to the park. Turn right on the Hacienda Trail and begin the hike with a steep climb up the Hacienda Trail. Make a right on the Virl O. Norton trail which will lead you to the Mockingbird Hill Park Entrance. From the Mockingbird Hill Park you will connect to the New Almaden Trail and eventually to the Buena Vista Trail where you will make a left turn. You will pass the old mine shaft and lovely valley views along the way. From Buena Vista you will connect to the Randol Trail which will take you to the Mine Hill Trail which you will take all the way back to the parking.
Length and Elevation: This hike is approximately 3 hours long. Elevation 600 feet.
Park Details and Maps |
| Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset |
Driving Directions to Hacienda Trailhead: From Highway 85, take the Almaden Expressway exit south 4.5 miles to Almaden road. Exit to the right on Almaden Road and drive 3 miles along Almaden Road through the town of New Almaden to the unpaved parking lot on the right. PARKING: Free.
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