The last time I visited China Hole in Henry Coe State Park, it was the fall of 2007, and there had been barely enough water in the swimming hole for toe dipping.

Last Friday, as I pulled into the nearly empty lot at Coe Headquarters, I hoped to find China Hole filled to the brim. It had been raining earlier in the week, so the odds seemed in my favor.

I started down the Corral Trail a few minutes before nine.

It was a mild morning. The temperature was in the mid to upper 50s (I'm guessing). The sky was a light shade of blue and there was barely a breeze.

Conditions were ideal for the type of stroll where one could enjoy the scenery without worrying about getting drenched or overheated; the type of stroll where one could walk for miles without feeling like a single second had passed. That's how it felt as I wandered along Manzanita Point Road.

In no time, I was passing Bass Pond and Manzanita Point and was soon standing at the junction where the road, China Hole Trail, and Madrone Soda Springs Trail meet.

As I had done the time before, I followed China Hole Trail, which begins as a narrow path lined by manzanitas.

Eventually, the trail widens and becomes a series of switchbacks that descend to Coyote Creek, which is visible on the way down.

When I reached China Hole, I was happy to see water flowing. It looked more alive than it did the last time I had seen it.

I stayed for a few minutes to soak in the scenery and snack before starting along the Mile Trail. The sound of running water accompanied me as I went. It was actually difficult to think about anything except water since the trail and springs crossed paths several times (ten to be exact). This isn't to say the way wasn't charming. It was -- in a wet and slippery sort of way.

Soon, I passed the Simas-Keeney cabin. I stopped for only a second to take this photo before hurrying on. I might have stayed longer if the place didn't give me the creeps.

I climbed the steep Madrone Soda Springs Trail and was thankful when I reached the road again.

Standing at the junction was a uniformed volunteer. He was a friendly, older fellow, who looked like he had been out on patrol. We talked for a few minutes and I learned he had been at Coe the previous weekend, when the park had gotten three to four inches of snow.

"The place was a zoo," he said. "Nothing like today, so quiet and empty."

He then suggested I visit Lion Spring, a spot just off the Springs Trail, on my way out.

I thanked him for the tip and was soon making my way along Springs Trail, one of my favorite trails in the park.

I made the quick side trip to Lion Spring and discovered it was one of the most peaceful places in Coe. I hopped atop a large rock at the campsite and just stood there, listening to the silence and occasional birdcall.

Twenty minutes passed. Before I pulled myself away, I took a twenty-second video to try to capture the moment. I apologize for aiming the camera at the table. It seemed like a bright idea at the time.

From there, it was roughly a mile back to Coe Headquarters. I left the park right around one.

You can see more photos (and another video) on Flickr.

And just for fun, here is a map of the park's terrain. The green marker is Coe Headquarters and the blue marker is China Hole.