Coyote Ridge Trail

Coyote Ridge Trail runs along Coyote Ridge. Many of the park's trails can be accessed at trail junctions along Coyote Ridge Trail. Coyote Ridge forms the west side of the valley that holds Coyote Lake. The Coyote Ridge Trail start is found from the parking area at the Mendoza Ranch Entrance to Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park on Roop Road. From here take the Access Trail to its trail junction with Coyote Ridge Trail and Mendoza Trail. Go right here onto Coyote Ridge Trail. For it first 1.1 miles, Coyote Ridge Trail runs through grass meadows on the east side of Coyote Ridge. Trees, mostly oaks, border these meadows. Mummy Mountain, part of Coyote Ridge, rises to the left of the trail. Coyote Lake is to the right, below the trail, but hidden. However, Palassou Ridge on the far side of Coyote Lake can be seen. At the 1.1 mile mark, Coyote Ridge Trail reaches a saddle in Coyote Ridge at the north end of Mummy Mountain. A series of trail junctions are here--Mendoza Trail, Campground Trail, and finally Gaviota Trail. Views to the west open up, as Santa Clara Valley below and the Santa Cruz Mountains can be seen from this saddle. After passing Gaviota Trail, Coyote Ridge Trail continues through grass meadows with stands of oaks. Coyote Lake can now be seen below, to the right. The trail is still on the east side of the ridge but very close to the ridge top now, providing occasional views of Santa Clara Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west. Calaveras Trail and Rancho San Ysidro Trail are reached, at the 2.4 and 2.5 mile marks, respectively, Continuing on the Coyote Lake (east) side of the ridge, Coyote Ridge Trail comes to a trail junction with Willow Springs Trail at the 3.05 mile mark. This section of Coyote Ridge Trail goes through thin sunlit woods, with Coyote Lake views below. After passing Willow Springs Trail, Coyote Ridge Trail climbs to the ridge crest and expansive views of rural southern Santa Clara Valley with the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance, appear to the west. The trail continues across the ridge crest, the views of Coyote Lake disappear, and the trees are much sparser on this western side of the ridge. Dropping slightly below the ridge top, the trail heads north through the grass hills on the western side of the ridge top for its last 1.1 miles. Enjoy the views of rural Santa Clara Valley and the distant Santa Cruz Mountains on this stretch of the trail. Coyote Ridge Trail ends after 4.7 miles, at Harvey Bear Trail.