April 27-30
This Santa Clara County Park is in the hills east of Gilroy, around the Coyote Reseviour. I find this to be a fairly nice place to camp, at least at the end of April. Later in the season it will be hotter than I’m comfortable with. There is a decent amount of water in the lake…enough to launch boats. The problem seems to be in the length of the lake because it’s at least a half mile shorter than it used to be.
The smaller section of the campground has electric and water hookups. A much larger section has no hookups, but is closer to the lake, only because the lake is…shorter. I camp in the section with hookups. All the sites are back in, and a couple of fellow campers help me with that task.
There are very few campers here, as few as 3 of us, and as many as 7 on different days.
From Gilroy (Garlic Capitol of the world, you know!), there are about 5 miles of windy, hilly roads to get to the park. Once in the park, there are many trails, and dogs ARE allowed on them! While you are here you may see deer, turkeys, wild pigs, coyote, fox, and even a Mountain Lion. I saw plenty of deer and turkeys, and none of the rest.
The biggest problem for us….misquitoes! There are a LOT of them and they prove to be the worst predators we encounter. There is a serene beauty in the hills and lake, and flawless blue sky. A peaceful place.
Coyote Lake in the morning.
Contemplating the trail ahead.
A view
Lots of wildflowers.
Live Oak
Buckeye in bloom
California Bay Laurel
Shiloh makes a cool nest in the weeds
Wandering Spirit 
On “Contemplating the trail ahead …” (You take the coyote and I’ll take the mountain lion; No, you take the turkey and I’ll take the squirrel!) We had a mountain lion taking a rest under someone’s house in the foothills. His presence got the 6 o’clock news cameras and every sort of rescue equipment. Finally, when he was smoked out, the police loudspeaker said, “The mountain lion has left the building!” It was just like the old Elvis days at the Vegas Hilton!!!
Hi Minicooper10, interesting story about the Mt Lion. Years ago when I lived in Morgan Hill a Mt Lion used to hang out on a neighbors roof. That was up by the hills around Anderson Reseviour. A bit unnerving!
I sort of took on a coyote in January (see blog title of “Coyote Waits”). He/she was trying to lure Shiloh back to the pack for dinner!
Eeks mosquitoes are no fun! Stagnant water draws mosquitoes. The lakes and creeks that are now drying up due to the drought are forming stagnant water spots, which makes for great breeding grounds for the mosquitoes. I hope you haven’t gotten bitten too badly. Pretty hike with a beautiful vista. The East Bay Parks has many wonderful places for hiking with numerous places for camping. Enjoy and safe travels!
Hi Monica, yes I’m sure there is lots of still water in that area. Then it seems like when there is an unusually hot day, even more mosquitoes are around, and that’s what happened there. I was wearing long sleeves and long pants so I only got 4 bites, and they were all places that were covered with cloths, so there little critters can feast right through clothing!