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  Great View of the Santa Clara Valley from Park
View from Alum Rock Park
Plenty of Wild Life
Spring Time in Alum Rock Park, San Jose


Alum Rock Turkeys

Hikers at Alum Rock

 


Alum Rock Park Hiking

North Rim Trail to Boccardo Trail - Hike from 12/22/07

Alum Rock Park, San Jose

About Alum Rock Park: Alum rock Park is nestled within the Alum Rock Canyon in the foothills of the Diablo Range. The park has many acres of natural beauty and wildlife that includes deer, brush rabbits and wild turkeys. The terrain is very diverse with a variety of grasses, sagebrush and live oak trees on the north canyon slopes and valley oak, bay, madrone and California Buckeye on the south side of the canyon. Springtime is particularly beautiful and you will enjoy a variety of wildflowers including the California poppy and sticky monkey plant. Alum Rock connects to the Boccardo Trail which is managed by the Santa Clara County open space Authority. There are approximately 13 miles of trails including six miles of horse trails. .

Hike Description: North Rim Trail to Boccardo Trail Open Space - We began the hike by accessing the North Rim Trail from the Big Bear Parking lot in the park which is at the far west boundary of the park. We proceeded along the north side of the canyon where we got a panorama view of the Santa Clara Valley and San Francisco Bay from the Eagle Rock Overlook. We then connected to the Boccardo Trail from the Todd Quick Trail. At the top of the Todd Quick Trail (1- to 1.5-miles) there will be a gate that will lead to the Boccardo Trail. We then hiked for one and half miles to the prominent knoll which is 1896 feet in elevation and offers a spectacular view of the valley. The descent back down was via the Boccardo Trail where we connected back to the Todd Quick Trail and then to the North Rim Trail which lead us back to the parking lot.

Length and Elevation: This hike is approximately 2.5 hours long. Elevation 1896 feet to to the prominent knoll.

Owls at Alum Rock Park
Ranger holding Owl at Alum Rock Park
Owl at Alum Rock Park
Ranger holding Owl
   
Park Details and Maps
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset

Carpool Info: Carpool - Meet at 8:00 Saturday, December 22nd, 2007, at St. Edward's Church for  carpooling, 15040 Union Ave., SJ.  Exit from 85 south in the middle lane, left onto Samaritan Drive, right onto Union; in one block turn left onto Ronda, and left into the parking lot.

Driving Directions to the Trailhead: Meet at 8:30 a.m. From Highway 680 exit on Berryessa Road. Go east 1.2 miles. Turn right on Piedmont Road. Go 0.45 miles to Penitencia Creek Road. Turn left on Penitencia Creek Road. Continue 1.0 miles on Penitencia Creek Road to the entrance of Alum Rock Park.. PARKING: $6.00.