Healthy Trails: Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

On Friday, both of my feet were yearning for a long hike and I was, too. (Things usually work better when we're all in agreement.)

I wasn't sure where to go. I had been wanting to visit one of the many parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, but with the still-burning Martin Fire, it seemed best to look elsewhere.

"We should knock another Healthy Trails hike off the list," I said to my feet, link and all. (It's called speaking hyperlinkally.)

They suggested Joseph D. Grant County Park, but I objected on the basis that it would involve driving during the morning commute.

Then I remembered passing the sign for Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park on my way to Henry Coe a couple of months ago. It was only thirteen miles from home (opposite the flow of traffic) and classified as a "moderate" Healthy Trails hike, which made it perfect on what promised to be a hot, sunny day.

Thirty minutes later, I was standing in the gravel parking lot of the Mendoza Ranch Entrance and lacing up my boots. With the exception of a truck with a horse-trailer in tow, my car was the only vehicle in the lot.

The plan was a simple nine-mile out-and-back trek on the Coyote Ridge Trail. It would be an easy hike, something to satisfy my feet while giving me a few hours of much-needed solitude.

The first mile of the trail was flat, wide, and covered with rocks. It was a strip of gray running through a field of yellow.

Once the gravel gave way to dirt and the trail began to climb, the hike grew interesting. I came across my first group of cattle resting in a rare patch of shade.

I got my first view of the valley. Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill were all visible.

I also caught my first real glimpse of Coyote Lake, which had been hidden from sight up to that point.

Between the junctions of the Rancho San Ysidro Trail and Willow Springs Trail, I enjoyed the contrast of the peaceful lake to the east and the developed valley to the west; only a simple ridge separated the two worlds.

Beyond the Willow Springs Trail junction, the trail curved west, away from lake, and provided pleasing views of the rolling hills that either cascaded to the valley or surged to the ridge, depending upon your point of view. I photographed them obsessively.

I soon reached the turnaround point and couldn't bring myself to return the way I came. I'm a hiker who prefers loops whenever possible, so I wandered down the Harvey Bear Ranch Trail.

A half-mile later, I came across a signpost for the Townsprings Trail, a path not shown on the map, which meant I had to explore it.

All was going well until I encountered a group of cows grazing near the trail on both sides. I'm not sure why, but the sight of them paralyzed me.

"They're just cows. They're harmless," said my left foot.

"I know," I replied, annoyed. "But there's a dozen of them and only one of me and they're chewing rather menacingly."

"If you walk confidently, they won't bother you," said my right foot.

"And you know this how?" I said sarcastically.

"Wikipedia."

"Oh. Well then. Let's go."

With boldness I didn't feel, I marched towards the small herd, maintaining a steady rhythm by humming "If This Is It" by Huey Lewis and the News. Visions of the next day's newspaper headlines ran through my head, "Hiker Trampled To Death By Rare Breed of 80s-Rock-Hating Cattle".

I was within twenty feet of them when they retreated to a nearby oak tree where another dozen cattle were resting. One cow, a large brown one with a white head and horns, watched me warily as I went my way, but he did nothing more than stare at me (and shoot imaginary lasers with his gaze).

Clear of the cattle, I soon reached the Willow Springs Trail and began the steep climb back to the Coyote Ridge Trail. This was the toughest part of the hike.

From there, it was a pleasantly uneventful return trek to the car.

For a better and more factual trip report, be sure to read Two-Heel Drive. To see a few more photos from the hike, you can find them on Flickr.