Cottle Trail

Overview

There are several ways to access Cottle Trail. The easiest access to Cottle Trail is from the Rancho San Vicente Entrance trailhead parking area along McKean Road at the northwest edge of Calero County Park. From this parking area, take Lisa Killough Trail for 0.6 miles to the starting point of Cottle Trail. <br><br>Alternatively, one can access Cottle Trail at a trail junction in its midsection from the trailhead parking area on the east side of Calero Park at the Main Park Entrance off of McKean Road. To get to this trail junction from this trailhead parking area, take the Access Trail, then either Pena Trail or Figueroa Trail to Serpentine Loop Trail followed by the Serpentine Loop Trail Connector, which ends at the Cottle Trail junction. See the trail descriptions for these other trails.<br><br>From its starting point on Lisa Killough Trail, Cottle Trail meanders through the grass of a thinly wooded hillside for its first 1.3 miles. The trail is fairly flat here and shaded by oak trees. The first views of Calero Reservoir are at about the 0.6 mile mark.<br><br>After 1.3 miles, Cottle Trail arrives at Calero Reservoir on the hillside above the Calero Reservoir dam. From here, the trail goes through wooded and grass sections as it follows the reservoir's western shoreline for the trail's next 1.3 miles. To the left of the trail, the reservoir can be seen below, nestled among the grass and wooded hills of Calero County Park. <br><br>Leaving the reservoir behind, Cottle Trail follows a broad, grassy creek valley. This valley, housing Cherry Canyon Creek, is one of several that feed water into Calero Reservoir. About 2.9 miles from the trail start, you'll find the trail junction with Serpentine Loop Trail Connector and Lisa Killough Trail.<br><br>After passing the trail junction, Cottle Trail enters the woods and follows Cherry Canyon Creek upstream. The trail crosses the creek three times as the creek valley narrows and its densely wooded sides steepen. As the creek approaches its headwaters around mile 3.3, the

Trail Stats

Photos

Cherry Canyon Creek at a Cottle Trail crossing.

Cherry Canyon Creek at a Cottle Trail crossing.

Spring wildflowers in the grass hills of Cottle Trail.

Spring wildflowers in the grass hills of Cottle Trail.

Cottle Trail meanders along a shaded grass hillside on its way to Calero Reservoir.

Cottle Trail meanders along a shaded grass hillside on its way to Calero Reservoir.

Calero Reservoir from Cottle Trail.

Calero Reservoir from Cottle Trail.

Cottle Trail ends after running through a high meadow nestled among the forested foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Cottle Trail ends after running through a high meadow nestled among the forested foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Calero Reservoir near the dam, as seen from Cottle Trail.

Calero Reservoir near the dam, as seen from Cottle Trail.

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