Day 7: Pacheco Camp to China Hole by bicycle, Henry Coe State Park
I followed this route along Coit Road, Mahoney Meadows Road, and China Hole Trail for the first time on last year's bicycle-camping trip here, and liked it. The day ends with a scary yellowjacket sting.
To my relief, today is less hot than the past few days. I travel 12.2 bicycle miles from 1689 feet at Pacheco Camp to 1100 feet at China Hole, with about 1600 feet of elevation gain along the way.
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Date: September 06, 2008, 09h56
Size: 42 items
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After a good long sleep, I make two cups of strong coffee as usual to get the day going
For breakfast, I make MaryAnn's "Tofu in a Ginger Broth," which is an excellent instant soupy meal. I did cool down overnight here under the huge oak trees, but not quite as much as I was hoping.
Date: September 06, 2008, 09h56
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I fetch the clothes that I left overnight hanging near the Pacheco Camp sink
The clothes are mostly dry and I put on one of the lightweight wool t-shirts that I washed. I highly recommend these t-shirts if you can afford them.
Date: September 06, 2008, 09h56
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I leave Pacheco Camp around 12h30 and within 30 minutes I'm on the ridge above riding through a semi-shady stand of burned pines
Upon leaving Pacheco Camp, the thermometer reads 92 degrees in the shade. At first, I think I have most of my energy back, but after a few minutes of climbing up out of Pacheco Creek, I realize I'm still a bit pooped.
Date: September 06, 2008, 12h58
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Hot and sweaty already, I park the 10-ton bike at the top of Coit Road and walk up the short hill to "Radio-tower Peak
This isn't marked on my current map, but I've been told that it appears on some older Henry Coe maps.
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h18
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Great views from up here
If I knew the topography well enough, I could probably pinpoint in the distance the hill above Red Creek Road that I rode up two days ago. Coit Road, which I just came up, is immediately below in this view.
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h20
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I try making a cell-phone call here, and it works!
I change my outgoing message to let people know where I am, take in views out toward the Orestimba Wilderness for the last time this year, then return to the bike and coast down the other side of the ridge to Coit Lake.
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h30
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After a short descent (about a mile), I pass the Fish and Game Pond
I would stop here, but the larger Coit Lake is just up the road a little ways. I get a breeze on the way down the hill, which feels wonderful, even though it's a hot breeze.
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h44
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Despite the standard-issue sign on the outhouse at Coit Lake, there is in fact a trash can here
This is the first trash can I've seen in several days, so I take advantage of it and deposit the garbage I've accumulated. There's also a little handwritten note taped on the sign...
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h49
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Apparently, this outhouse at the south end of Coit Lake is closed for repairs right now
I'm glad I wasn't counting on it being open!
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h49
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The ramada and picnic table at the south end of Coit Lake
I haven't camped here yet, but from what I've read, many people like it here at Coit Lake. The ramada doesn't provide much shade from the midday sun!
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h51
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I go for a brief walk up the trail along the shore of Coit Lake
Much of the shoreline on this part of Coit Lake is grown in, but here's a spot where it's easy to get to some open water to filter.
Date: September 06, 2008, 13h56
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Next is the short climb (1/3 mile, 150 feet elevation gain) up Coit Road to the next crest on the way to Kelly Lake
Henry Coe is so full of long, steep hills that this almost doesn't qualify as a climb! Kelly Lake is hidden off to the left in the canyon below. The short piece of road off in the distance is another segment of Coit Road that I'll ride up in a while.
Date: September 06, 2008, 14h08
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