Contents:
About NAQCPA
Donate to NAQCPA
Almaden Quicksilver Park Info
Mining Museum
Gift Shop
Museum Archives
Outdoor Museum
Pioneer Days
New Almaden Days
News, Media, Articles, and Links
Pictures, Special Reports
Almaden Quicksilver Park Events
Events in Other Parks
_____________
Links:
New Almaden and Almaden Quicksilver:
New Almaden Self-Guided Walking Tour
Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
Mining Museum Archives
Directions to Almaden Quicksilver
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Trail Map
Open Road TV show on Almaden Quicksilver
Santa Clara County Parks:
Santa Clara County Parks Homepage
Calendar of County Parks Activities
Play Here! Activities Guide
Park Here! Guide to the County Parks
County Parks Volunteer Information
Volunteer Calendar
County Parks Healthy Trails Program
Parks for Life Challenge
Santa Clara County Parks on Facebook
Ron Horii's Pictures of the Santa Clara County Parks
Ron Horii's Pictures of County Park Volunteer Activities
Parks and Community:
Ron Horii's SF Bay Rec & Travel
Friends of Santa Teresa Park
Friends of Los Alamitos Watershed
New Almaden Community Club (webpage under construction)
Webmaster Contact
Welcome
to
the New Almaden
Quicksilver County
Park Association
(NAQCPA) website. Our purpose is to promote the
educational and
interpretive activities of the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
Department, particularly in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. See below
for information about NAQCPA, our past and present activities, and how
you can join or help with the park. Also below is information about
Almaden Quicksilver County Park, maps, trail descriptions, and park
events. See the links on the side for related websites.
News:
Note: See here for archived news from 2015, 2016, and 2017. The following is news from 2018:
The
County Parks' newest #PixInParks
Challenge includes a route
in Almaden Quicksilver County Park.
It starts at the Wood Road Trail (picture above) and makes a loop
around Mine Hill on the Castillero and Mine Hill Trails, before
returning on the Wood Road Trail. Points of interest along the way
include the Mine Hill Rotary Furnace, English Camp, the San Cristobal
Mine, and Bull Run. It follows the same route as this Healthy Trails hike in
2009.
Living History Day was held at the Casa Grande on 2/11/18. There were Valentine's Day crafts for kids.
Julie Lee, manager of the County Parks' Volunteer
Program sent out a letter
announcing the new County-wide Samaritan volunteer management system.
She also sent out a "how
to" guide with a FAQs section. Volunteers
will be using the system to enter their hours and can search
for
volunteer opportunities. There will be training sessions announced. Here
is the link to Samaritan.
Almaden
Quicksilver County Park has a new neighbor: the 966-acre Rancho San
Vicente addtion to Calero County Park, which opened on 3/24/18. (See Rancho
San Vicente Opening Day, 3/24/18.)
The main entrance and parking lot is on McKean Road opposite Fortini
Road, which leads to the Stile Ranch/Fortini entrance of Santa Teresa
County Park. There is a neighborhood entrance on Almaden Road, on the
other side of the street from 20491. There is no parking lot there,
only limited street parking. It is a long way from the entrances to
Almaden Quicksilver trailheads at the moment. It is approximately
halfway between the Mockingbird Hill Lane and Hacienda entrances at
Almaden Quicksilver, though there is talk of someday opening another
entrance near the bridge on north Bertram Road. At the Almaden Road
entrance, there is this bridge above, which leads across Alamitos Creek
to the new Almaden Trail in Rancho San Vicente. Here are pictures of
this entrance and trail: Rancho
San Vicente Almaden Road Entrance, 3/25/18.
There
was a CNPS/Open Space Authority plant hike at Almaden Quicksilver on
1/14/18. Docents and plant experts led a hike up the English Camp Trail
to English Camp, then went down the Deep Gulch Trail. Here are pictures
from the hike.
The
Calcine Paved Roads Remediation Project has been completed. This is the
Castillero Trail. Calcines, which are waste rock from mercury smelting,
were removed from the trails (see 8/7/17 picture above), and the trails
were resurfaced with gravel. Above is the Castillero Trail just east
of the Hacienda Cemetery Trail junction. The trail branching
off
to the left is an old mine road leading to the Upper Velasco Cut. It's
been resurfaced and may become a trail someday. (Picture taken 1/21/18.)
Taken
on 1/21/18: The San Cristobal Mine, which had a fence at the opening
due to a landslide-caused roof collapse deep in the tunnel (see picture
from 8/7/17 above), is now open partway. Boards block access to the
area beyond, which has the collapsed roof.
Living History Day was held at the Casa Grande on 2/11/18. There were Valentine's Day crafts for kids.
The
County Parks has a new interactive
webpage
showing the best trails for viewing wildflowers in the parks.
Three of the featured trails are in Almaden Quicksilver: the
Senador Mine Trail, the Castillero Trail, and the New Almaden Trail. Two
of
the featured trails are in Santa Teresa Park: the Rocky Ridge Trail and
the Stile Ranch Trail. Another is nearby in Calero (Rancho San
Vicente). You can also download
a printed wildflower guide.
Here
3 NAQCPA and FOSTP (Friends of
Santa Teresa
Park) members are
receiving lifetime volunteer service awards (left
to right): 13,500 hours for NAQCPA President and
FOSTP Vice President Kitty Monahan,
28,500 hours for Grant Park docent Ron Bricmont, 11,000
hours for NAQCPA Webmaster
and FOSTP Secretary Ron
Horii, and
8,000 hours for NAQCPA Board Member and FOSTP
President Mike Boulland.
Volunteer Program Manager Julie Lee is on the right. Here
are pictures from the Volunteer Recognition Event at Hellyer County Park.
Living
History Day was held at the Casa Grande on 5/6/18. Helping out were
(clockwise from the top) Docent Doug, Park Interpreters Natasha, Chris,
& Kelsi. See here for more
pictures from this event.
Play
Like a Miner will be held at the Casa Grande on July 21, 2018 from 11
am to 3 pm. Join in for a fun day of
learning what it was like to be a miner long ago. There will be games,
demonstrations and crafts as well as an opportunity to try your hand at
panning for gold and precious gems.A fun event for the whole family.
Here are pictures
from last year's Play Like a Miner.
The
Parks For Life Challenge is a FREE game that is hosted by the Santa
Clara County Parks and Recreation Department to help you and your
friends and family get outside and engage in healthy activities in our
lovely 48,000 acre park system. Teams of 2 to 3 players sign up, and
then choose to participate in outdoor adventures in any one of our 28
regional parks. Document your adventures by posting photos or videos on
your social media sites to compete for awesome prizes. For more details
and to sign up, see
here.
Play
LIke a Miner was held at the
Casa Grande on July 21, 2018. New this year was this simulated mine
tunnel, which wrapped around the Blacksmith Shop. Visitors wore miners'
helmets with lights to explore the tunnel, guided by volunteers. In the
tunnel were mining pictures and artifacts. See here for pictures
of the event, volunteers
and staff, and geology
exhibit.
On August 15, 2018, geologist, historian, and NAQCPA co-founder
Michael Cox will be giving a talk about the New Almaden Mines at the
Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 1700 Monterey Road, Morgan
Hill, CA. Get
tickets for the talk here.
About NAQCPA
NAQCPA Newsletter Winter 2015-2015
NAQCPA President's Message from the Spring 2015 Newsletter
NAQCPA President's Message from the Summer 2015 Newsletter
NAQCPA Officers:
- President: Kitty Monahan
- Secretary: Shari Sullivan
- Treasurer: Marv Tanner
NAQCPA
accepts donations of time, effort, artifacts and money. At NAQCPA, our
most valuable resources are the time and effort of volunteers to help
with various projects. Since NAQCPA is a not-for-profit 501c3
corporation recognized by the state of California and the IRS,
donations may qualify to be tax-deductible depending on your
circumstances.
To
donate time as a museum docent, to walk students around the community,
as an archives recorder, to clean up trails etc., call Kitty Monahan at
408-268-6541 or the park interpreters at the New Almaden Mining Museum,
408-323-1107.
If
you have photos, books, magazine articles or other artifacts from or
about New Almaden that you want preserved for future generations,
please consider donating them to NAQCPA for use in the archives and in
the museum. You will receive a receipt that identifies its value for
IRS Tax deductibility purposes. To donate these items, call Kitty
Monahan at 408-268-6541 or the Santa Clara County park interpreters at
the New Almaden Mining Museum, 408-323-1107, or bring them to the
museum during visiting hours.
Funds
are important to purchase books and other artifacts that become
available on the market, for special projects, such as the blacksmith
shop restoration, preserving the map table, building new exhibits for
the museum, improving the Archives computer and software, preserving
artifacts, and for many other projects. To donate money, please write a
check and mail it to:
P.O. Box 124
New Almaden, CA 95042
Almaden Quicksilver County Park Information
If
you live in or near the Santa Clara Valley or Silicon Valley in
Northern California or are planning a trip to the area, you may enjoy a
visit to the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Come and see our
beautiful park and learn about its wildlife, and many historic
photographs, writings, relics, and landmarks. You can reach the park
office at (408) 268-3883.
The Casa Grande and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum were closed for renovation starting in 2009. The Grand Re-Opening ceremony was held on Pioneer Day, November 13, 2010. It re-opened on January 14, 2011. The museum is open-year round Fridays through Tuesdays except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The museum is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can reach the museum at (408) 323-1107. It is located at 21350 Almaden Road in New Almaden. These are the hours:
| Mondays | 12pm - 4pm |
| Tuesdays | 12pm - 4pm |
| Wednesdays | Closed |
| Thursdays | Closed |
| Fridays | 12pm - 4pm |
| Saturdays | 10am - 4pm |
| Sundays | 10am - 4pm |
Many NAQCPA members serve as docents in the museum, giving guided tours. There are frequent events at the Casa Grande, such as Living History Days, Play Like a Miner, a yuletide bazaar, and historical talks. See the events calendar below. The grounds are also available for rent for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, and company picnics.
One of the period rooms in the Casa Grande
Mining exhibits in the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
Almaden
Quicksilver Mining Museum Gift Shop
The Casa Grande has a
bookstore and gift shop. It is decorated with historic portraits. For
sale are books on history, minerals, flowers, wildlife, and children's
activities. They also have maps, nature guides, colorful rocks,
jewelry, educational toys, and artwork. Some of the publications
available in the store were written by NAQCPA members.
These portraits of the New Almaden Mine managers were painted by local artist Gilian Altieri
Books are for sale in the gift shop.
These portraits of the New Almaden Mine managers were painted by local artist Gilian Altieri
Books are for sale in the gift shop.
The Archives of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum are now online. NAQCPA members have been helping to scan in thousands of historical documents and pictures into the archive. The archives are available for searching and viewing. You can search for specific topics using keywords or just display random images to get a sample of the collection. You can order high-resolution images without watermarks. Here is an example of an historic photo from the archives:
Hacienda
Mining Display Outdoor Museum
Pioneer Days
Displays at the Hacienda Outdoor
Museum
For years, there was an
unorganized collection of rusting mining equipment sitting behind a
fence in the Hacienda area of Almaden Quicksilver near the Deep Gulch
Trail entrance. Above is how it looked in 2008.
NAQCPA members, led by Bruce
Bartlett (above), organized, repaired, and re-arranged the equipment
and added other mining equipment. They had interpretive signs made,
paid for the fencing, and created life-size figures.
Pioneer Days
Pioneer Day 2014, Rossi Retort Dedication
For over 34 years, NAQCPA has
held their
annual Pioneer Day celebration in Almaden Quicksilver County Park, in
partnership with the County Parks Department. The original purpose of
Pioneer Day was to be a get-together to share stories with former New
Almaden miners and people who remembered the mines. While that is still
the case, it has also been associated with the dedication of historic
sites, interpretive signs, or projects in the park. Most of these were
NAQCPA projects, or NAQCPA members were involved with them. Pioneer Day
for 2018 will be held on October 13 at 11:00 am. Location TBD.
- Self-running slideshows (Windows only):
- Pioneer
Day, Senador Mine Trail dedication, 10/11/03 (19.5 MB)
- Pioneer Day, Casa Grande 150th anniversary and Blacksmith Shop dedication, 10/9/04 (34 MB)
- See the pictures from Pioneer Day in Almaden Quicksilver's Spanishtown, Saturday October 14, 2006.
- Pictures from Pioneer Day, October 13, 2007, New Almaden Community Center, Santa Isabel Shafthouse Dedication.
- Almaden Times Weekly article on Pioneer Day, 10/13/07
- Pictures from Pioneer Day 10/11/08, Wood Road
- Pioneer Day, English Camp Map House, 10/10/09
- Almaden Times Weekly article on Pioneer Day, 10/10/09
- Pioneer Day: Reopening of the Casa Grande, 11/13/10
- Pioneer Day: Hacienda Mining Display Outdoor Museum, 10/8/11
- Pioneer Day, Almaden Quicksilver 10/13/12, Incline Railroad Sign Dedication
- Pioneer Day, Almaden Quicksilver 10/12/13, Hacienda Mining Display Outdoor Museum and Cornish Miners
- Pioneer Day, Rossi Retort Dedication at the Rotary Furnace Site, Spanishtown, 10/11/14
- Pioneer Day, Dedication of the Hacienda Bell Tower, 10/10/15 (Facebook album version)
- Pioneer Day, Casa Grande Pathway and Memorial Bench Dedication, October 8, 2016 (Facebook album version)
- Pioneer
Day, NAQCPA's 35th Anniversary Celebration at the Hacienda Mining
Display, 10/14/17 (Facebook album)
New Almaden Days
The Santa clara County Horsemen's Association at the Jump-In Parade, 9/13/14
For more than 34 years, the
community of
New Almaden has held their New Almaden Day community celebration,
kicked off by the Jump-In parade. It's an informal parade around the
town, where anyone can jump in and join. Afterwards, there is a
carnival held at the New Almaden Community Center, featuring games,
prizes, food, and entertainment. This year's New Almaden Day and
Jump-In Parade will be held on Saturday September 8, 2018, starting at
11:00 am at the New Almaden Community Center.
- Pictures from New Almaden Coummunity Day 9/8/07: Jump-In Parade on Bertram Road, Jump-In Parade on Almaden Road, Dedication of Pat Tillman Memorial, and the BBQ and Games at the New Almaden Community Center.
- New Almaden Community Day Sept. 13, 2008: Jump-In Parade, BBQ and Games.
- Almaden Times Weekly article on New Almaden Day, 9/12/09
- New Almaden Jump-In Parade 9/11/10
- Almaden Times Weekly article on the Jump-In Parade, Sept. 12-23 issue
- New Almaden Community Day, Jump-In Parade 9/8/12
- New Almaden Community Day 9/13/14: Jump-In Parade, Carnival at the New Almaden Community Center
- Almaden Times Weekly article on the Jump-In Parade, see Sept. 19-Oct. 2, 2014 issue, page 4.
- Facebook: New Almaden Day Jump-In Parade, 9/12/15
- Facebook: New Almaden Day Carnival, 9/12/15
- Facebook: New Almaden Day Jump-In Parade, 9/10/16
- Facebook: New Almaden Day Carnival, 9/10/16
- Facebook: New Almaden Day: Jump-In Parade, 9/9/17, Part 1, Part 2, Carnival
News, Media, Articles, and Links
Recipients of the Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award (L to R): Art Boudreault, Roy Ichinaga, Ron Horii, Mike Boulland, Ranger John Heenan accepting for Richard and Margaret Brunner, Kitty Monahan, Jaime Day
- Almaden Times Weekly article, "Living
at the
mines, circa 1880-1914: Quicksilver miners worked hard, played hard"
- Almaden Times Weekly article, "History Repeats Itself: Two New Almaden Historic Homes Dedicated With Monuments"
- The History of Mercury Emissions from the New Almaden Mines, Santa Clara County, California by Michael Cox
- Bay
Nature Magazine: Legacy of the Red Ore Almaden Quicksilver County Park
by John Dorrance, 1/1/02
- You can vote to save the Casa Grande! See here for details.
- The County Parks' Healthy Trails program includes 2 trail routes in Almaden Quicksilver.
- NAQCPA has adopted 3 trails in Quicksilver Park: The Yellow Kid, the Great Eastern and Day Tunnel, and the Deep Gulch Trail. The trail group meets on the second Wednesday of the month and drives up to the trail for work from 9 am to 11:30 am. We need volunteers to help in the spring and summer. Contact Kitty Monahan to volunteer.
- Erosion Reconnaissance of the Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Santa Clara County, California, August 2007
- San Jose Mercury News Section, Where We Live, Almaden Valley.
- Open Road TV show on Almaden Quicksilver
- Almaden Resident: Casa Grande in Quicksilver Park set for $5 million building restoration, March 6, 2009.
- Hacienda
and Deep Gulch Remediation Project Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, September 14, 2010
- DAR honor renovation of Santa Clara County's Casa Grande and costuming of Feather Tippetts, 7/7/11
- On November 18, 2014, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors presented the Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award to County Park volunteers (here is the list). They included several NAQCPA members and officers: Kitty Monahan, Mike Boulland, Art Boudreault, Bob Meyer, and Ron Horii. Here is the commendation letter from the President. Above is a picture of some of the award winners.
- Hacienda and Deep Gulch Remediation Project
- Environmental Review Documents for the Calcine Roads Remediation Project
- Almaden Quicksilver County Park Final Trail Master Plan Report, October 1998
- Casa
Grande Historic Structure Report: Volume
1, Volume
2
- Santa
Clara County Parks Links:
- 2014 Santa Clara County Parks Annual Report
- Santa Clara County Parks Donation Program
- Healthy Trails Program
- Parks for Life Challenge
- Park Here brochure
- County Parks Map, activities by park
- County Parks: Weddings and Receptions
- Special Event Permits/Park Use Permits
- Volunteers and Jobs
- Wildflower
Guide
- SF Gate 9/24/14: "Take a trip back in time at Almaden Quicksilver County Park"
- Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Calcine Roads Remediation
Project March 2015
- San Jose Mercury News 3/12/15: "Almaden Quicksilver Park: Then and Now in Pictures"
- An episode of Open Road on NBC Bay Area (KNTV) featured the County Parks' Park for Life Challenge. It featured contestants at the Casa Grande and Uvas Canyon. Ron Horii's pictures are shown starting at 5:40.
- Guadalupe River Watershed Mercury TMDL, May 2016 TMDL Implementation Update
- On February 6, 2017, C-Span interviewed Luke Bailey and Kitty Monahan for a story about mining in San Jose. It was part of their 2017 Local Content Vehicles tour of San Jose, featuring the history and literary life of the community.
- The Santa Clara County Newsbeat has an online
article and video on the County Parks' PixInParks Challenge,
which includes the Wood Road Trail at Almaden Quicksilver. (Still
pictures were provided by Ron Horii.)
Pictures and Special Reports
View of Almaden Reservoir from the Hidalgo Cemetery Trail
- Powerpoint presentation (18 MB) created by Ron Horii, showing activities in all the Santa Clara County Parks.
- Almaden
Quicksilver County Park Van Tour 11/17/01
- Pictures from Mike Boulland's and Art Boudreault's book signing at the Casa Grande on 7/12/06.
- Self-running slideshows (Windows only):
- Los Alamitos Creek/Guadalupe River Trail
- Ron
Horii's Outdoor Photography Gallery (includes Almaden
Quicksilver)
- Pictures from the Los Alamitos Creek Watershed Cleanup 5/19/07: Page 1: Preparation, Page 2: Cleanup 1, Page 3: Cleanup 2, Page 4: BBQ Lunch.
- Pictures of wildflowers and park views, Spring 2008:
- Part 1 Southside: Deep Gulch, Mine Hill, Wood Road Trails
- Part 2 Northside: Senador, Guadalupe, Mine Hill, New Almaden Trails
- Geocaching Class, Wood Road Trail, June 14, 2008
- Ghost
Tour, Santa Teresa and Almaden, 10/25/09
- Geocaching Class, Wood Road Trail, Jan. 17, 2009
- Pictures from the Healthy Trails Hike, Wood Road Trail, Almaden Quicksilver, 3/28/09
- Kiwanis Ghost Tour of Santa Teresa Park and New Almaden, 10/17/09
- Geocaching Class, Wood Road Trail, Jan. 16, 2010
- Almaden Quicksilver HDR Pictures 2/27/10
- Clean-up of Los Alamitos and Guadalupe Creek Watersheds, New Almaden to Guadalupe Dam 9/25/10
- In
September, 2011, Ron Horii had
a display
of
park pictures at the Santa Teresa Library.
- New Almaden and Randol Trails (Facebook Album), 12/28/11
- Hike on the New Almaden, Buena Vista, Randol, Capehorn Pass, and Hacienda Trails 1/27/12
- The
Virl O. Norton Trail, the Easy Part, Almaden Quicksilver, 12/8/12
(Facebook album)
- Hike
on the Senador, New Almaden, Mine Hill Trails, 12/1/13
(Facebook
album)
- Post New Year's Hike, Almaden Quicksilver, 1/3/14 (Facebook album)
- Wood Road Trail Hike, 2/14/15 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver National River Cleanup Day, 5/16/15 (Facebook album)
- 9/11 Service Day at the Casa Grande, Almaden Quicksilver, 9/11/15 (Facebook album)
- Pierce Ranch and McAbee Road Entrance to Almaden Quicksilver, 10/25/15 (Facebook album)
- Pierce Ridge Tour, 11/3/15 (Facebook album)
- Quicksilver Holiday Boutique 12/5/15 (Facebook album)
- Anza Expedition Hike, Almaden Quicksilver, 3/26/16 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver North Spring Hike, 4/6/16 (Facebook album)
- V-O-Cal Trail Day, Almaden Quicksilver, 5/21/16 (Facebook album)
- Play Like a Miner, Almaden Quicksilver, 6/18/16 (Facebook album)
- Living History Day at the Casa Grande, 7/2/16 (Facebook album)
- Stone-Wasserman Breakfast, Casa Grande 8/27/16 (Facebook album)
- New Almaden Day Jump-In Parade, 9/10/16 (Facebook album)
- New Almaden Day Carnival, 9/10/16 (Facebook album)
- Quicksilver Senador Mine Site Restoration, 11/5/16 (Facebook album)
- Pioneer Day, Almaden Quicksilver 10/8/16 (Facebook album version)
- Almaden Quicksilver Holiday Boutique 11/19/16 (Facebook album)
- Lichen Hike at Almaden Quicksilver, 1/28/17 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver Photo Gallery (Facebook album)
- Living History Day, Casa Grande, 3/11/17 (Facebook album)
- New Almaden Trail, Almaden Quicksilver, 4/25/17 (Facebook album)
- Play Like a Miner, Casa Grande, 6/24/17 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver Calcine Roads Project, 8/7-8/17 (Facebook album)
- Volunteer Recognition BBQ, Casa Grande, 8/12/17 (Facebook album)
- New Almaden Ghost Tour, 10/29/17 (Facebook album)
- Living History Day, Casa Grande, Almaden Quicksilver, 11/18/17 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver: Norton to Hacienda Trails, 1/7/18 (Facebook album)
- Views of Rancho San Vicente from Almaden Quicksilver, 1/7/18 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver Plant Hike, 1/14/18 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver Calcine Roads Project 1/21/18 (Facebook album)
- Living History Day, Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 2/11/18 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver, Northside Flowers and Views, 3/8/18 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver Hike: New Almaden to Hacienda, 4/8/18 (Facebook album)
- Almaden Quicksilver Flowers and Plants, 4/8/18 (Facebook album)
- Living History Day, Casa Grande, 5/6/18 (Facebook album)
- Play Like a Miner 7/21/18, see here for pictures
of the event, volunteers
and staff, and geology
exhibit
(Facebook albums)
Living History Day, Casa Grande, 2/14/15, left to right: Mike Boulland, Mary Moran, Elaine Hill, Bridgett Orcutt, Doug Bergtholdt
See here for the County Parks' Latest Play Here Guide.
- January 2018
- Sunday, January 14, Plant Communities for Beginners, Almaden Quicksilver, 9:00am-3:00pm. Are you interested in learning more about our local plant communities? Join Authority Docent Steve and the California Native Plant Society for a walk up the English Cap Trail to Church Peak and back down via the Deep Gulch Trail. Expect to see scrub, chaparral, mixed evergreen forest, and riparian plant communities and learn to identify some of these plants with enthusiastic docents. The distance covered is 4 miles with 1000’ of elevation gain/loss and will be a strenuous hike. Please meet at the Hacienda Entrance to the park and bring water and a lunch. Rain will cancel. For details, link here.
- Saturday,
January 20, Quicksilver History Hike • Almaden Quicksilver •
9:00am-12:00pm. Explore what
remains of the once-bustling mining
operations in the hills above New Almaden on this 4-mile hike. Meet at
the Wood Road entrance
off Hicks Road. Bring water and a snack. Questions? (408) 918-7770. - Saturday, January 27, Backyard Birding: The secret lives of the birds living among us, Casa Grande, 8:30am-9:30am. Have you ever been curious about the little brown birds in your bushes? Do you have bird feeders but don't know the names of the birds that visit them? Are you an avid bird watcher that wants to learn more about the lives of your subjects? What can we do to help our feathered friends? If any of these questions interest you, then come enjoy a peaceful morning walk around the beautiful backyard of Casa Grande or the serene trail of Bernal Ranch with an experienced naturalist. Bring warm clothes, binoculars if you have them (8X42 magnification is best), patience, a sense of curiosity. Heavy rain cancels. Call (408) 918-7775 for more information.
- February 2018
- Saturday, February 10, Backyard Birding: The secret lives of the birds living among us, Casa Grande, 8:30am-9:30am. See 1/27/18.
- Sunday, February 11, Victorian Valentine Living History Day, Casa Grande/Quicksilver Mining Museum • 11:00am-3:00pm. Come visit the Casa Grande, once the magnificent home of New Almaden mine managers. Costumed docents will guide you through the historic home. Children can participate in valentine craft activities.Questions? (408) 918-7770
- March 2018
- Saturday, March 18, Quicksilver History Hike • Almaden Quicksilver • 9:00am-12:00pm. See January 20, 2018.
- April 2018
- Saturday, April 14, Wildflower Scavenger Hunt, Almaden Quicksilver, 12:00pm-3:00pm..Join the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association on a wildflower scavenger hunt through various stations along the Wood Road Trail. Meet in the Wood Rd. parking lot off of Hicks Rd. Reservations online or at (408) 355-2201.
- Saturday, April 21, Quicksilver History Hike • Almaden Quicksilver • 9:00am-12:00pm. See January 20, 2018.
- May 2018
- Sunday, May 6, Living History Day, Casa Grande/Quicksilver Mining Museum • 11:00am-2:00pm. Experience life in a historic mining community. Participate in activities, play games, and learn about daily life in the 1890s at Casa Grande and the QuicksilverMuseum. History tours at 11:30am and 1:00pm. Fun for the whole family. Questions? (408) 918-7770.
- Wednesday,
May 9, Connect with Nature • Almaden Quicksilver • 6:00pm-7:00pm.
Nature has an incredible way of maintaining balance and harmony. Come
experience a connection with nature and leave with a better
understanding of
yourself. $15 per person. Meet at the Wood Road parking lot with comfortable clothes and shoes. Reservations online or (408) 355-2201. - Sunday,
May 20, Saturday, May 26, Sunday, May 27. Take A Ride With A Ranger •
Almaden Quicksilver • 10:00am-1:00pm
Mountain biking can be your ticket to adventure and discovery. Learn bike handling skills and history of the park. Meet at the Hacienda parking lot. Questions? (408) 268-3883. - Saturday,
May 26, Birding Basics • Casa Grande/Quicksilver Mining Museum • 9:00am
- 9:45am. Come out and learn the basics of observing and identifying
local birds with an experienced bird watcher and naturalist! Meet in
front of the Casa Grande with binoculars if you have them. Questions?
(408) 918-7775.
- June 2018
- Sunday, June 10, Mountain Lions & Bobcats • Almaden Quicksilver • 9:00am-11:00am. Stop by a parks booth for information about these local wild cats who share the environment with us. Meet at the Hacienda parking lot off Almaden Rd. Questions? (408) 918-7772.
- Wednesday, June 13, Wednesday, June 20. Yoga Hike Meditate • Almaden Quicksilver • 6:00pm-7:00pm. Refresh your mind, body, and spirit with Mother Nature. Learn simple and effective methods for self-healing and energy enhancement by practicing gentle postures, breathing, and mind intentions. $15 per person. Meet at Wood Rd. parking lot. Reservations online or (408) 355-2201.
- Saturday, June 16, Saturday, August 18, Quicksilver History Hike • Almaden Quicksilver • 9:00am-12:00pm. Explore what remains of the once-bustling mining operations in the hills above New Almaden on this 4-mile hike leaving from the Wood Roadparking lot off Hicks Rd. Questions? (408) 918-7770.
- Saturday, June 23, Hike the Magnificent Seven! • Almaden Quicksilver • 10:00am-1:30pm. Work towards completing the #PixInParks challenge with a guided hike on one of our magnificent trails. Meet at the Wood Road parking lot with water and snacks. Find your destination, take a photo, and enjoy spectacular views. Questions? (408) 355-2240.
- Sunday June 24, Saturday, Birding Basics • Casa Grande/Quicksilver Mining Museum • 9:00am - 9:45am. See May 26, 2018 above.
- July 2018
- Saturday, July 21, 11:00am-3:00pm, Play Like a Miner, Casa Grande/Quicksilver Mining Museum, 21350 Almaden Road, San Jose. Join in for a fun day of learning what it was like to be a miner long ago. There will be games, demonstrations and crafts as well as an opportunity to try your hand at panning for gold and precious gems.A fun event for the whole family.
- Saturday, July 28, Birding Basics • Casa Grande/Quicksilver Mining Museum • 9:00am - 9:45am. See May 26, 2018 above.
- August 2018
- Sunday, August 12, Explore A Ranger’s Truck • Almaden Quicksilver • 3:00pm-4:00pm. Discover critical resources that Park Ranger’s provide while you explore and use equipment they carry in patrol trucks. Drop in at the Mockingbird Hillparking lot. Questions? (408) 268-3883.
- Saturday, August 18, Mountain Lions & Bobcats, 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Stop by a parks booth for information about these local wild cats who share the environment with us. Meet at the Hacienda parking lot off of Almaden Rd. Questions? (408) 918-7772.
- Saturday, August 18, Quicksilver History Hike, Almaden Quicksilver • 9:00am-12:00pm, see June 16, 2018 above.
- Saturday, August 25, Birding Basics • Casa Grande/Quicksilver Mining Museum • 9:00am - 9:45am. See May 26, 2018 above.
- September 2018
- Saturday, September 8, New Almaden Day and Jump-In Parade, 11:00 am, starting at the New Almaden Community Club.
- Sunday, September 16, Quicksilver History Hike, Almaden Quicksilver • 9:00am-12:00pm, see June 16, 2018 above.
- Sunday, September 23, Mountain Lions & Bobcats, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, see August 18, 2018 above.
- October 2018
- Saturday, October 13, Pioneer Day, location TBD. See here for more details.
From the Rancho San Vicente Hike, 3/28/15
- January 2018
- Friday, January 5, Backyard Birding: The secret lives of the birds living among us, Bernal Ranch House, Santa Teresa Park, 8:30am-9:30am. Have you ever been curious about the little brown birds in your bushes? Do you have bird feeders but don't know the names of the birds that visit them? Are you an avid bird watcher that wants to learn more about the lives of your subjects? What can we do to help our feathered friends? If any of these questions interest you, then come enjoy a peaceful morning walk around the beautiful backyard of Casa Grande or the serene trail of Bernal Ranch with an experienced naturalist. Bring warm clothes, binoculars if you have them (8X42 magnification is best), patience, a sense of curiosity. Heavy rain cancels. Call (408) 918-7775 for more information.
- Saturday, January 13, 2018, Martin Luther King Day of Service-Trails, Santa Teresa County Park Corral Parking Lot, 9:00am-1:00pm. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived his life serving others. Following his example, millions of Americans serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. On this special day volunteers will be working with park staff to accomplish a variety of park beautification projects. Tools, gloves, and necessary training will be provided. Please wear closed toes shoes, long pants, a jacket, and bring a reusable water bottle. Event occurs rain or shine! Families are welcome! A parent or guardian over the age of 18 is required to accompany volunteers under the age of 15 for the duration of the event.
- Saturday, January 13, 2018, The Secret Life of Slime Molds, Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, 10:00am-12:00pm. In the Winter, all of Rancho Cañada del Oro’s mysterious creatures and plants who need wet environments come to life. Come explore one of the most mysterious of all, slime molds. Join Authority Docent Cait and the Author Carrie Niblett for a morning in the meadow, discovering a remarkable beautiful organism you may have never noticed before. This is a slow-paced exploration and engaging educational experience for anyone who is inquisitive and curious. Heavy rain will cancel.
- Saturday, January 13, 2018, Starry Nights, Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, 7:00pm-9:00pm. Join the Open Space Authority in partnership with the San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) for an evening out under that stars. No need to bring your own telescope, the SJAA will provide telescopes along with friendly astronomy docents who are eager to share the view. The gates will be closed at 8:00 pm to allow for better, undisturbed viewing, please arrive before then. Please dress warm, bring water to drink, and your sense of wonder for the night sky. Space is limited and registration is required.
- Saturday, January 20, 2018, Anza Expedition Hike, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, 10:00am-12:00pm. Join the Open Space Authority and National Parks for a history walk along the Arrowhead Trail in Coyote, a certified interpretive site for the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition. As you hike this 4-mile trail, you will learn all about the Anza Expedition and the experience of those families. Please bring your own water and a snack for the trail. Heavy rain will cancel.
- Saturday, January 27, 2018, Headwaters
to the Bay – an Educational Family Hike,
Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, 9:30am-11:30am. Enjoy a gentle, fun,
and engaging family-friendly hike along the easy 1.2-mile Aquila Loop
Trail. We’ll talk about rain, aquatic homes for wildlife, and the
larger wildlife that depend on clean water and our amazing watersheds
to survive.
- February 2018
- Friday, February 2, Backyard Birding: The secret lives of the birds living among us, Bernal Ranch House, Santa Teresa Park, 8:30am-9:30am. See 1/5/18 above.
- Saturday,
February 3, 2018. Become an Open Space Docent!, 10:00am-4:00pm.Do you
love sharing nature with people? Do you love being outdoors and walking
in nature? If you have the time, we have the preserves! Come to our
beginner docent training to learn about the Open Space Authority's
volunteer opportunities. No experience is neccessary. Bring your
enthusiam and curiosity and we will teach you the rest! Please bring a
bag lunch with you and rsvp
here. Volunteers
must be 18 and older to volunteer on their own. Youth volunteers over
14 may join, but a parent or guardian over 18 must be present.
- March 2018
- The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority has numerous hikes scheduled to Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve, which is not open to the public yet. Access is only through guided hikes, currently scheduled in March and April. See their Events page for details.
- Sunday 3/25/18: “Hike the Magnificent Seven! Santa Teresa” 10am to 1pm. Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park for a moderate 2.5-mile #PixInParks hike on the Stile Ranch, Mine, and Fortini Trails. View spectacular wildflower displays, take in the gorgeous views, and hear talks about the rich history of the area. There will be nature and history exhibits and activities at the trailhead. Please bring snack, sunscreen, water and wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the Stile Ranch Trailhead on San Vicente Avenue, at the end of Fortini Road, off McKean Road.
- Saturday 3/31/18: Outdoor Photography and Wildflower Walk, 10 am - 1 pm. Join a docent for an outdoor photography class and slide show in the barn at the historic Bernal Ranch followed by a moderate, but easy-paced hike up the Joice Trail to take pictures of the colorful spring wildflower displays. Meet at the Barn with your camera or smartphone. Register here.
- April 2018
- Saturday, April 7, Chitactac Family Day, Chitactac Adams • Check website calendar for time. Discover the heritage of the people who once lived at this ancient village site along Uvas Creek. Learn to make traditional crafts and participatein unique activities and demonstrations.
- Sunday, April 8, Cougar Country, Calero County Park, 10:00am-2:00pm. Come learn about the habits and life cycle of a mountain lion. Explore how humans and wildlife interact and share our park lands. Meet at the Rancho San Vicente parking lot on McKean Rd. Questions? (408) 535-4070.
- Saturday 4/21/18: Coyote Peak Vistas Hike: 2 pm - 4 pm. Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park on a moderate 2-mile hike to Coyote Peak starting from the Pueblo Day Use Area. Look at the wildflowers and trees along the way. At the top, take in panoramic views of the Bay Area and Coyote Valley. Please bring snack, sunscreen, water and wear comfortable shoes. Register here.
- Saturday, 4/28/18: 23rd annual Volunteer Recognition event, 12:00pm-2:30pm. (Invitation-only, for County Parks volunteers.) Hellyer County Park’s Buena Vista Group Area.
- May 2018
- Saturday, May 5, Spring Celebration • Martial Cottle • 10:00am-3:00pm. Come celebrate urban agriculture, food, and spring planting at this fun day on the ranch! Healthy food, fresh produce and native plants for sale, arts and crafts, live music and much more. Volunteers needed, check parkhere.org for details. Questions? (408) 535-4060. See here for more details.
- Wednesday, May 9, Geocaching in the Park • Anderson Lake • 11:00am-1:00pm. Come explore hidden treasures in the park. Hike on trails above the lake to locate geocaches using GPS technology. Bring a hand-held GPS or download the app to your cellphone. Optional to bring/leave/exchange anything in the caches. Meet in the parking lot at top of the dam. Questions? (408) 918-7985.
- Saturday, May 12; Sunday, May 20; Saturday, May 26; Saturday, July 28; Saturday, August 4; Saturday, August 18. What’s “Shaking” in Parks? • Santa Teresa • 9:00am-12:00pm. Trek to the highest peak in the park to view fantastic vistas and explore local geology formations. Meet in the 2nd parking lot with hiking shoes, layered clothing, and water. Questions? (408) 225-0225.
- Saturday, May 19, Saturday, July 7, Hike the Magnificent Seven! • Calero • 10:00am-1:00pm. Work towards completing the #PixInParks challenge with a guided hike on one of our magnificent trails. Meet in the parking lot by Ranger Office with water and snacks. Find your destination, take a photo, and enjoy spectacular views. Questions? (408) 355-2240.
- Sunday, May 27; Saturday, June 23; Saturday, August 18. In the Park After Dark Movie Night • Santa Teresa • 8:30pm-11:30pm. Saturday, August 25, 8:00pm-11:00pm. Saturday, September 1, 7:30pm-10:30pm. Enjoy a night under the stars with family and friends. Come early to learn about parks and wildlife before the FREE family-friendly movie. Meet at the Pueblo Group Area with a blanket or low-back chair and a flashlight. Questions? (408) 225-0225.
- June 2018
- Monday, June 4, The Trails and You: Shared Use and Safety • Calero • 10:00am-12:00pm. Be safe and enjoy shared park trails. Learn about regulations and tips to protect you and park resources. This is a drop-in event at the parking lot by the Calero Park office. Questions? (408) 268-3883.
- Saturday, June 16, Hellyer Amazing Race • Hellyer • 10:00am-1:00pm. Anyone can participate in this fun outdoor challenge! Register with your team to compete for great prizes by completing fun challenges, games, and learning outdoor skills along the way! Preregistration required, space is limited. More info at parkhere.org or (408) 355-2255.
- Saturday, June 16. In the Park After Dark Campout • Santa Teresa • 7:00pm-8:00am. Begin with a feature-length movie under the night sky, followed by a campfire and s’mores, then a second feature-length movie. Bring camping supplies for an overnight trip: tent, bedding, food, warm clothes, flashlight. Cost is $15/camping family and $6/vehicle. Restrooms available. No electricity or showers provided. Space is limited. Reservations online or (408) 535-4060.
- Saturday, June 23, Chitactac Family Day • Chitactac Adams • 1:00pm-4:00pm. Celebrate the Amah Mutsun culture and discover the heritage of people who once lived at this ancient village site. Participate in hands-on activities, play traditional games, and make unique crafts while learning about native plants and wildlife. This event is free and appropriate for families and all ages. Questions? (408) 918-7770.
- Friday, June 29; Saturday, June 30; Saturday, July 7; Friday, July 13; Saturday, July 21; Friday, August 3; Friday, August 10; Friday, August 17. In the Park After Dark Movie Night • Hellyer • 8:30pm-11:30pm. Enjoy a night under the stars with family and friends. Come early to learn about parks and wildlife before the FREE family-friendly movie. Meet at the Cottonwood Lake lawn with a blanket or low-back chair and a flashlight. Questions? (408) 225-0225.
- Saturday, June 30, Discover the Park Through Nature Journaling. Martial Cottle • 9:00am-11:00am. Learn how to nature journal while enjoying the beauty of your surroundings.Meet at the Visitor Center. No dogs please. Reservations (408) 535-4052.
- July 2018
- Friday, July 20, Geocaching in the Park • Anderson Lake • 10:00am-12:00pm. Come explore hidden treasures in the park. Hike on trails above the lake to locate geocaches using GPS technology. Bring a hand-held GPS or download the app to your cellphone. Optional to bring/leave/exchange anything in the caches.Meet in the parking lot at top of the dam. Questions? (408) 918-7985.
- Saturday, July 21, Park Partners Open House • Martial Cottle • 9:00am-12:00pm. Explore the gardens, attend a workshop, or tour the Master Gardener Parcel.Learn from youth 4-H members about their livestock animals. Purchase and learn to plant native and drought-tolerant trees and shrubs or attend an Edible & Native Plant talk from Our City Forest. Partner parcels are located near Chynoweth Ave. Questions? (408) 535-4060.
- Saturday, July 21, When Nature Bites Back • Hellyer • 10:00am-12:00pm. The wild world of parks has numerous wonders to explore, but in the event of an accident are you prepared? Discover nature and recreation while being trained in hands-only CPR and basic first aid. All practice equipment is provided.Meet at the Park Office. Reservations online or (408) 355-2201.
- Saturday, July 28. A Taste of Archery
• Santa Teresa •
8:00am-10:00am, 10:30am-12:30pm. Join the Black Mountain Bowmen to
learn how to shoot a compound or recurve bow, fletch arrows, and make a
bow string. Ages 6 and up with parent. $5 fee. A mandatory safety class
and equipment are provided by Predator’s Archery. Bring water, snacks,
and sun protection. Reservations online or (408) 355-2201.
- August 2018
- Saturday, August 4; Saturday, August 11; Saturday, August 18; Saturday, August 25; Fishing Program for Kids • Hellyer • 9:00am-11:30am. Join a Park Ranger to learn about local watersheds, fisheries, and secrets to catching bass. Open to ages 10-13. Fishing gear provided. Meet at the Visitor Center with sun protection. Reservations (408) 225-0225.
- Sunday, August 5, Take a Hike on the Wild Side • Calero • 9:00am-12:00pm. Hike in the habitat of two wild felines-mountain lions and bobcats.Discover these cats’ unique characteristics while gaining awareness and appreciation for wildlife that call parks home. Meet in parking lot by the park office with water, good hiking shoes, and sun protection. Questions? (408) 918-7772.
- Saturday, August 11, Meteor Shower: The Best HD Viewing is Free. Martial Cottle • 10:00pm-12:00am. Join us for Perseids meteor shower. Begin the evening with a discussion of best ways to view objects in the night sky. Meet on the big lawn with warm clothes, flashlights, and a telescope or binoculars. Questions? (408) 535-4060.
- Saturday, August 18, Master Gardener and 4-H Open House • Martial Cottle • 9:00am-12:00pm. Explore the gardens, attend a workshop, or tour the Master Gardener parcel. Workshops and class information at http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/. Stop by the 4-H parcel to learn from youth members about the livestock animals they raise here. Partner parcels are located near Chynoweth Ave.Questions? (408) 535-4060.
For more
information, contact our webmaster,
Ron Horii.
Updated 8/8/18.