The ride begins from the Hacienda (southeastern) entrance of the park. The second half of the ride encounters very few mining artifacts. The route shown on this page visits several of these in the first half of the ride. The highest number of things to be seen are in and around English Camp on Mine Hill. These include some abandoned towns and town sites as well as many mine entrances, at least one tunnel, a couple of cemeteries, and a few mining facilities and equipment. The high levels of mining activity in the park also mean that there are plenty of historic remains here. To this day, this park is named as the single biggest contributor to the mercury contamination in the San Francisco Bay. For this reason, for example, the fish caught in the Guadalupe Reservoir in the park is considered contaminated and inedible. Cinnabar being the ore of mercury ("quicksilver"), the area has high levels of this toxic metal. The park covers territory where intensive mining for cinnabar has taken place from the 19th century until the 1970s. This ride does the biggest bike loop possible in this park, along with a couple of minor side trips. It doesn't have too many bike-legal trails, and all that are bike-legal are fire roads. No fees are required at any entrances.Almaden Quicksilver Park is a large county park. Park trails are subject to closure due to poor conditions, typically after heavy rains. The park is open year-round from 8:00 a.m. If you have any questions regarding the above information, please call (408) 355-2215 or email Tamara Clark, Public Information Officer at and Fees If you have any questions regarding mercury and its effects, please contact the County’s Environmental Health Services at (408) 918-3400. Methyl mercury is absorbed by aquatic plants and fish, and subsequently by humans who may eat the contaminated fish. Over time, the mercury in the sediment may have been converted to methyl mercury by naturally occurring bacteria. Sediments that contain mercury have been deposited in some of the local reservoirs and streams. Almaden Quicksilver County Park was once the site of extensive quicksilver (mercury) mining. Mercury has been found to accumulate in Guadalupe and Almaden Reservoirs at levels that make the fish from those reservoirs unsafe to eat. For information on school field trip opportunities and custom tours of the Mining Museum, visit the education page or email AND RELEASE… PLEASE DON’T EAT THE FISH Guided nature and history walks are available upon request. For your safety, please do not climb on any structures. However, the San Cristobal mine may be viewed from behind a locked gate.
There are also remnants of mining structures throughout the park. No potable water is available within the park except at the Hacienda and Mockingbird Hill entrances. All trails in the park are also open to pet owners to walk their dogs on leash.Ī number of picnic tables are scattered throughout the park adjacent to the trails and horse water troughs are available in a few locations. The park includes over 37 miles of hiking trails, including 30 miles of equestrian trails and 16.6 miles of bike trails. From Almaden Expressway, proceed 3 miles along Almaden Road through the town of New Almaden to the unpaved staging area on the right. This entrance is accessible to all users, including bicyclists. The Hacienda entrance is located at the south end of New Almaden. At the intersection of Wood Road and Hicks Road, turn left into the staging area.
Turn right on Hicks Road and follow for 6 miles. From Highway 85 take the Camden Avenue exit south. The Wood Road entrance is accessed off Wood Road. Proceed 0.5 miles on Almaden Road to Mockingbird Hill Lane, turn right and continue 0.4 miles to the parking area. From Highway 85, take the Almaden Expressway exit south 4.5 miles to Almaden Road. The Mockingbird Hill entrance is accessed off Mockingbird Hill Lane. The park may be accessed from three areas. You can reach the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum at (408) 918-7770.
Almaden quicksilver county park how to#
How to Get ThereĪlmaden Quicksilver County Park is located at:21785 Almaden Rd San Jose, CA 95120Īlmaden Quicksilver County Park is located in south San Jose, in the town of New Almaden.
Remnants of the mining era also offer an exciting look into the mining operations of the latter part of the 19th century. During early spring, the park offers one of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the region. The park encompasses 4,163 acres, occupying a majority of Capitancillos Ridge. The park is the site of over 135 years of mining activities and former home to more than 1,800 miners and their families. Almaden Quicksilver County Park is spectacular in natural diversity and a landmark of California history.
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