Randol Trail

Overview

Randol Trail runs in the same direction as Mine Hill Trail, but lower down on the hillsides of Quicksilver Park, on the San Francisco Bay Area side of Mine Hill Trail. Randol Trail was originally an old mining road built to access the old Day Tunnel, one of the most productive cinnabar (mercury ore) tunnels in Quicksilver Park.<br><br>Mine Hill Trail west to Prospect #3 Trail <br>Randol Trail starts off in a wooded area that soon gives way to a mix of grass and woods. Views of the San Francisco South Bay Area and East Bay Hills can be seen in the more open sections of the trail. The Prospect #3 Trail junction is 1.6 miles from the start of Randol Trail.<br><br>Prospect #3 Trail to Buena Vista Trail<br>The terrain becomes more rugged after crossing Prospect #3 Trail. This 1.7-mile section continues through a mix of grass, dense brush, and woods. Openings to views of the countryside south of San Jose, become less frequent on this trail section.<br><br>Buena Vista Trail to Mine Hill Trail east<br>This 1.3-mile section continues through brush, some grass, and woods. Immediately after passing Buena Vista Trail, Randol Trail climbs to the site of the old Buena Vista mine shaft and pumphouse. This mine shaft was the deepest shaft in Quicksilver Park. The pumphouse was "state-of-the-art" for its time - the late 19th century. It was used to pump water out of large sections of the Quicksilver mine tunnels. Randol Trail continues on to the site of the old Day Tunnel, that was one of the most productive tunnels in Quicksilver Park. About a half mile past the old Day Tunnel site, Randol Trail ends at Mine Hill Trail.

Trail Stats

Photos

Almaden Quicksilver County Park is lush with green grass near the Randol and Mine Hill intersection.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park is lush with green grass near the Randol and Mine Hill intersection.

This is looking down into the old Buena Vista Mine Shaft, which is the deepest shaft in Quicksilver Park at 2,300 feet.

This is looking down into the old Buena Vista Mine Shaft, which is the deepest shaft in Quicksilver Park at 2,300 feet.

These are the old Buena Vista Mine Shaft and Pumphouse ruins.

These are the old Buena Vista Mine Shaft and Pumphouse ruins.

The Randol Trail meanders through wooded and open grass areas.

The Randol Trail meanders through wooded and open grass areas.

This is a view of the site of the old Day Tunnel entrance (lower right) with San Francisco's East Bay Hills in the distance.

This is a view of the site of the old Day Tunnel entrance (lower right) with San Francisco's East Bay Hills in the distance.

January makes for a lovely time to enjoy the Randol Trail.

January makes for a lovely time to enjoy the Randol Trail.

Field of lupines (blue wildflowers) along Prospect #3 Trail in April.

Field of lupines (blue wildflowers) along Prospect #3 Trail in April.

The Randol Trail offers beautiful views of the countryside south of San Jose.

The Randol Trail offers beautiful views of the countryside south of San Jose.

Lupines (blue) and California buttercups (yellow) adorn Randol Trail in April

Lupines (blue) and California buttercups (yellow) adorn Randol Trail in April

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