Coyote Ridge Trail

Overview

Coyote Ridge Trail runs along Coyote Ridge. Many of the park's trails can be accessed at trail junctions along Coyote Ridge Trail. Coyote Ridge forms the west side of the valley that holds Coyote Lake. <br><br>The Coyote Ridge Trail start is found from the parking area at the Mendoza Ranch Entrance to Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park on Roop Road. From here take the Access Trail to its trail junction with Coyote Ridge Trail and Mendoza Trail. Go right here onto Coyote Ridge Trail. <br><br>For it first 1.1 miles, Coyote Ridge Trail runs through grass meadows on the east side of Coyote Ridge. Trees, mostly oaks, border these meadows. Mummy Mountain, part of Coyote Ridge, rises to the left of the trail. Coyote Lake is to the right, below the trail, but hidden. However, Palassou Ridge on the far side of Coyote Lake can be seen.<br><br>At the 1.1 mile mark, Coyote Ridge Trail reaches a saddle in Coyote Ridge at the north end of Mummy Mountain. A series of trail junctions are here\u2014Mendoza Trail, Campground Trail, and finally Gaviota Trail. Views to the west open up, as Santa Clara Valley below and the Santa Cruz Mountains can be seen from this saddle.<br><br>After passing Gaviota Trail, Coyote Ridge Trail continues through grass meadows with stands of oaks. Coyote Lake can now be seen below, to the right. The trail is still on the east side of the ridge but very close to the ridge top now, providing occasional views of Santa Clara Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west.<br><br>Calaveras Trail and Rancho San Ysidro Trail are reached, at the 2.4 and 2.5 mile marks, respectively, Continuing on the Coyote Lake (east) side of the ridge, Coyote Ridge Trail comes to a trail junction with Willow Springs Trail at the 3.05 mile mark. This section of Coyote Ridge Trail goes through thin sunlit woods, with Coyote Lake views below.<br><br>After passing Willow Springs Trail, Coyote Ridge Trail climbs to the ridge crest and expansive views of rural southern Santa Clara Valley with the Santa Cruz Mountains in

Trail Stats

Photos

California poppies along Coyote Ridge Trail

California poppies along Coyote Ridge Trail

Checkerbloom along Coyote Ridge Trail

Checkerbloom along Coyote Ridge Trail

White blow wives along Coyote Ridge Trail in early May. These are delicate little "puff" balls that need to be examined closely to appreciate their intricate beauty.

White blow wives along Coyote Ridge Trail in early May. These are delicate little "puff" balls that need to be examined closely to appreciate their intricate beauty.

Deer. In a meadow along Coyote Ridge Trail

Deer. In a meadow along Coyote Ridge Trail

A hawk(?) sores above the springtime grass hills dotted with bright yellow mustard, along Harvey Bear Trail.

A hawk(?) sores above the springtime grass hills dotted with bright yellow mustard, along Harvey Bear Trail.

Coyote Lake comes into view at the high point of Willow Springs Trail.

Coyote Lake comes into view at the high point of Willow Springs Trail.

Ithuriel's Spear along Coyote Ridge Trail

Ithuriel's Spear along Coyote Ridge 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.

Rural southern Santa Clara Valley stretches as far as the eye can see, to the south, as seen from Coyote Ridge Trail. The Santa Cruz Mountains rise in the distance on the right.

Rural southern Santa Clara Valley stretches as far as the eye can see, to the south, as seen from Coyote Ridge Trail. The Santa Cruz Mountains rise in the distance on the right.

Coyote Lake and the hills east of the lake are seen from high on Coyote Ridge Trail.

Coyote Lake and the hills east of the lake are seen from high on Coyote Ridge Trail.

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