Bikepacking in Henry Coe State Park 2008
Bicycle camping in the backcountry of Henry Coe State Park in early September can be a hot, desert-like experience—brutal, but beautiful. It hasn't rained here in four months.
The thermometer rose above 100 degrees F several days in a row during this one-week trip and I didn't see another person for six days.
The trip started at Henry Coe's Hunting Hollow entrance. I camped three nights at Paradise Lake, three nights at Pacheco Camp and the final night at China Hole, before the ride back home to downtown San José. Two days were used for day hikes.
Though I commute to work by bicycle, I've hardly done any longer bike rides since my last Mojave National Preserve trip four months ago, so I could be in better shape. No worry, this adventure will whip me into shape soon enough...
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Date: August 31, 2008, 14h00
Size: 8 items
(307 items total)
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Album: Day 1: Hunting Hollow to Pacheco Camp, Henry Coe State Park
For the first time, I start a Henry Coe bicycle-camping trip by getting a ride to the Park entrance. The boy leaves me at Hunting Hollow and I "ride" to Pacheco Camp, meaning that I drag the bike up some long hills. 14.4 bicycle miles.
Date: August 31, 2008, 13h41
Size: 26 items
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Album: Day 2: Central Henry Coe day hike from Pacheco Camp, including Willow Ridge Road, Walsh Trail and Pacheco Ridge Road
I decide to stay camped at Pacheco Camp and do an afternoon hiking loop over White Tank Spring Trail, Willow Ridge Road, Center Flats Road, Walsh Trail and Pacheco Ridge Road. 12.5 miles with 2250 feet elevation gain (not including rollers).
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h11
Size: 54 items
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Album: Day 3: Pacheco Camp to Paradise Lake by bicycle, Henry Coe State Park
Today I ride over a couple of ridges to Paradise Lake in the northeastern part of Henry Coe State Park at the Orestimba Wilderness. I'll camp there for the next three nights. The temperature reaches the high 90s. 11.1 bicycle miles.
Date: September 02, 2008, 10h40
Size: 34 items
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Album: Day 4: Hike from Paradise Lake up Rooster Comb Trail and Orestimba Creek Road to Robison Creek and back
A very hot afternoon, over 100 degrees. My original plan is to hike up Robison Mountain, but by the time I realize that I've missed the trail, I'm starting to get low on water and tired from the heat. 14.3 hiking miles.
Date: September 03, 2008, 10h07
Size: 44 items
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Album: Day 5: Mountain-bike ride up Red Creek Road to Upper San Antonio Valley and back from Paradise Lake
Red Creek Road is far away, but offers a bit of everything for the mountain-biker who can make it this far, except single-track. Despite some heat-exhaustion much of the day, today turns out to be a highlight of my trip. 21.3 bicycle miles.
Date: September 04, 2008, 10h23
Size: 46 items
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Album: Day 6: Bicycle ride from Paradise Lake back to Pacheco Camp, the beginning of my route out of Henry Coe State Park
The heat is catching up with me today and I'm having a hard time sustaining a decent energy level as I plod back up Orestimba Creek and over Mississippi Ridge and then Pacheco Ridge. 11.2 bicycle miles.
Date: September 05, 2008, 07h41
Size: 32 items
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Album: 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. 12.2 bicycle miles
Date: September 06, 2008, 09h56
Size: 42 items
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Album: Day 8: China Hole, Henry Coe State Park, to home in downtown San José by bicycle, via Coyote Creek Trail
The swelling on the bottom of my foot makes hiking the bike for a few miles up out of the canyon at China Hole really awkward, but I limp along and enjoy the ride back down to Silicon Valley. 43.7 bicycle miles.
Date: September 07, 2008, 08h41
Size: 21 items
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