Randol Trail

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. Mine Hill Trail west to Prospect #3 Trail 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. Prospect #3 Trail to Buena Vista Trail 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. Buena Vista Trail to Mine Hill Trail east 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.