1.0 hr
Overview
Mummy Mountain Trail is easily accessed from the Mendoza Ranch Entrance to Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park on Roop Road. From the parking area, take the Access Trail to Mendoza Trail, and then take Mendoza Trail 0.3 miles. Just after passing Rancho La Polka Trail, Mummy Mountain Trail is on the right.<br><br>Beginning at the southern end of Mummy Mountain, the first 0.9 miles of Mummy Mountain Trail climb to the top of Coyote Ridge and Mummy Mountain. This climb begins gently in the grass hills. As the trail heads east to the wooded eastern side of Mummy Mountain/Coyote Ridge, it goes through alternating sections of woods and grass. In the open grass areas, there are good views of the countryside and Coyote Creek below. The climb steepens and after a final push, the trail flattens out. Making a U-turn at the 0.9 mile mark, to head northwest, the top of Mummy Mountain has been reached.<br><br>The top of Mummy Mountain is all broad flat meadows with spring wildflowers. There are views beyond the edges of this "table-top", but the immediate beauty is in these high meadows. Take your time to enjoy ambling through them for over 0.5 miles. There is a picnic table and viewpoint bench along the way.<br><br>At about the 1.5 mile mark, the trail enters a short, thinly wooded section and begins its descent to the north end of Mummy Mountain. After one more small grassy area, the trail enters the woods for the rest of the way as it descends on the eastern side of Coyote Ridge. Coyote Lake can be seen below, through breaks in the trees.<br><br>Mummy Mountain Trail finishes its descent and ends at a saddle in Coyote Ridge, at the Mendoza Trail 1.7-mile mark.
Trail Stats
3.5 km
94 m
408 m
302 m
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Photos
Bird's Eye Gilia along Mummy Mountain Trail.
Bird's Eye Gilia along Mummy Mountain Trail.
Palassou Ridge comes into view as one rounds a wildflower (orange California poppies and purple smooth vetch) covered bend on Mendoza Trail.
Palassou Ridge comes into view as one rounds a wildflower (orange California poppies and purple smooth vetch) covered bend on Mendoza Trail.
The hills in April of Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, with the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance, seen from Mummy Mountain Trail.
The hills in April of Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, with the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance, seen from Mummy Mountain Trail.
Coyote Ridge Trail meanders through a grass meadow with Palassou Ridge in the distance. Palassou Ridge forms the east side of the valley that holds Coyote Lake.
Coyote Ridge Trail meanders through a grass meadow with Palassou Ridge in the distance. Palassou Ridge forms the east side of the valley that holds Coyote Lake.
California buttercups along Mummy Mountain Trail.
California buttercups along Mummy Mountain Trail.
Coyote Creek, below, flows into Coyote Lake, from the southeast, seen from high on Mummy Mountain Trail.
Coyote Creek, below, flows into Coyote Lake, from the southeast, seen from high on Mummy Mountain Trail.
Mummy Mountain Trail travels through a high meadow covered with purple smooth vetch flowers in the spring. Palassou Ridge is in the distance (upper right) on the other side of Coyote Lake.
Mummy Mountain Trail travels through a high meadow covered with purple smooth vetch flowers in the spring. Palassou Ridge is in the distance (upper right) on the other side of Coyote Lake.
Lupine along Mummy Mountain Trail
Lupine along Mummy Mountain Trail
Palassou Ridge is in the distance on the east side of Coyote Lake (below), as Mummy Mountain Trail travels through purple smooth vetch wildflowers.
Palassou Ridge is in the distance on the east side of Coyote Lake (below), as Mummy Mountain Trail travels through purple smooth vetch wildflowers.
Purple smooth vetch and other spring wildflowers along Mummy Mountain Trail.
Purple smooth vetch and other spring wildflowers along Mummy Mountain Trail.