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This short loop off Mine Hill Trail that visits old mining sites.


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Map Key

0.9

Miles

1.4

KM

Point to Point

1,344' 410 m

High

1,214' 370 m

Low

130' 40 m

Up

127' 39 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly This is a short, easy, and well-maintained trail that passes interesting historic mining ruins and makes for a fun outing for the whole family.

Description

From the Mine Hill Trail, the April Trail starts off through the woods. It soon emerges from the woods on a hillside, with views of the San Francisco South Bay area and East Bay hills, to the right (northeast). About .2 miles from its trailhead, it rounds a U-turn bend, and the old mining trestle, April Trestle, remnants come into view on a distant hillside.

April Trestle carried cinnabar (mercury ore) mining cars into, and out of, the April Tunnel that went deep into Mine Hill. The site of the old April Tunnel entrance is at the left (southeast) end of April Trestle. Mine Hill rises to its summit of 1,728 feet, from the site of the old April Tunnel entrance.

The April Trail continues on to April Trestle that is about .5 miles from the start of April Trail. After running next to April Trestle, the April Trail does a U-turn and runs along the hillside overlooking April Trestle that is a short ways below the trail. Towards the site of the old April Tunnel entrance, April Trail veers left at the steep hillside of Mine Hill.

The April Trail continues through the woods, on the hillside of Mine Hill that is to the right of the trail. Soon a small wooden structure comes into view. This is the restored Powder House. Blasting powder used to make the mine tunnels, shafts, etc. was kept in the Powder House.

After passing the Powder House, April Trail rejoins Mine Hill Trail about .1 miles past its start on Mine Hill Trail.

Flora & Fauna

Wooded and brush. Deer.

Contacts

Land Manager: Santa Clara County Parks

Shared By:

Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#31271

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#3,531

in California

#31,271

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5 Views Last Month
302 Since Jan 2, 2017
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Photos

The Mine Hill Trail offers occasional glimpses of the San Francisco East Bay.
Jan 1, 2017 near Almaden…, CA
This is the view approaching the remnants of April Trestle on April Trail. Mining ore cars brought cinnabar (mercury ore) out of the April Tunnel at the left end of April Trestle.
Jan 3, 2017 near Almaden…, CA
April Trestle is nestled against Mine Hill. April Tunnel (leading into Mine Hill) is at the left end of the trestle. Ore cars rode the trestle.
Jan 3, 2017 near Almaden…, CA
The start of April Trail marks a pleasant beginning on any adventure to explore old mining sites.
Jan 3, 2017 near Almaden…, CA
April Trestle (remnants seen here) carried cinnabar (mercury ore) in mining cars out of April Tunnel, which cut deep into Mine Hill.
Jan 3, 2017 near Almaden…, CA
Powder House (restored) was where blasting powder (used to make mine tunnels, shafts, etc.) was kept.
Jan 3, 2017 near Almaden…, CA

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