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A fairly easy hill climb to a view of the San Francisco South Bay Area, with old Senador Mine site ruins along the way.


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Map Key

0.8

Miles

1.3

KM

Point to Point

634' 193 m

High

324' 99 m

Low

313' 95 m

Up

3' 1 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly A wide, well-maintained trail, with a gentle hill climb. Views of the San Francisco South Bay Area and its landmarks.

Description

This trail is broad and well maintained, ideal for families and groups, as well as runners and solo hikers. It can be taken as an out-and-back or as part of longer outings.

The trailhead near the Quicksilver Park entrance, is heavily wooded with a stream going through it that attracts wildlife, such as deer. From the trailhead, the trail follows the stream through a heavily wooded area. It then begins to rise gradually, leaving the woods behind, as it emerges into grass hills.

Along the way, it passes the site of the old Senador Mine where ruins of its Scott Furnace dust bins can be seen. Senador Mine was a cinnabar (mercury ore) mine that was opened in 1863. It was actively mined until about 1936. Around 1915, a furnace was built at this mine to process the cinnabar into mercury. One use of mercury is to extract gold from its ore. Thus, cinnabar mining and processing into mercury, was important during the Gold Rush.

As the latter part of the trail passes through grass hills, stands of trees dot the hillsides. Views of the San Francisco South Bay unfold as the trail climbs. The trail flattens out at its end where it meets the Guadalupe Trail.

Flora & Fauna

Grass hills and wooded areas. Deer.

Contacts

Land Manager: Santa Clara County Parks

Shared By:

Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#29347

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#3,193

in California

#29,347

Overall
15 Views Last Month
1,823 Since Dec 12, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

The trails at Almaden Quicksilver County Park offer awesome views of San Francisco's South Bay Area.
Dec 11, 2016 near Cambria…, CA
Fawns taking a drink in the stream close to the trailhead.
Dec 11, 2016 near Cambria…, CA
Senedor Mine historical plaque at the Senador Mine ruins.
Dec 15, 2016 near Almaden…, CA
Ruins of Scott Furnace dust bins, built around 1915, at the site of the old Senador Mine.
Dec 15, 2016 near Almaden…, CA

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