Almaden Quicksilver to Lexington Reservoir (16.6 mi, ~3700 feet elevation gain)

This run links Almaden Quicksilver County Park in San Jose with Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos for a challenging 17-mile point-to-point run. This challenging route follows the Bay Area Ridge Trail through Almaden Quicksilver and then over Mt. El Sombroso which, at 2999', is the highest publicly accessible point in Sierra Azul. The climb up to Mt. El Sombroso offers sweeping views of the entire South Bay. The trails are almost entirely fire roads. This route is exposed and can get quite hot in the summer, so we recommend attempting this route in the spring or fall when the temperatures are more mild. There is no drinking water available along this route.

The run starts from the Mockingbird Hill park entrance at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, and ends at the Priest Rock Trailhead on Alma Bridge Road just east of Lexington Reservoir. There is free parking at both locations
The Dirt:
  • Click here for a two-page printable trail map of the run.
  • Click here for driving directions to the start of the run (Mockingbird Hill park entrance).
  • Click here for driving directions to the end of the run (parking lot near Priest Rock Trailhead).
  • Click here to download this route as a GPX track!
  • Dogs are not allowed on this route due to the Woods Trail section.

Extras:
  • There is no water along this difficult route, so bring a LOT of water with you!
  • The Quicksilver Running Club holds a yearly 50k/100k race that includes many of these trails.
Route Details:

The run starts from the large paved parking lot at the Mockingbird Hill entrance of Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Begin the run by proceeding to the far end of the parking lot and turning left onto the Virl O. Norton Trail.
  • 0.0 mi: Proceed to the far side of the parking lot, then turn left onto the Virl O. Norton Trail. This trail is flat for the first half-mile, and then climbs steeply.
  • 1.2 mi: Virl O. Norton Trail ends on Hacienda Trail. Turn right and continue climbing another quarter-mile.
  • 1.5 mi: Turn left on the Capehorn Pass Trail. Follow this trail to the intersection with Mine Hill Trail.
  • 1.8 mi: Intersection with Mine Hill Trail. Continue straight ahead to start climbing up Mine Hill Trail. The next mile is a continuous climb.
  • 2.5 mi: Intersection with Castillero Trail. Veer left onto Castillero Trail toward the old site of Englishtown. Continue climbing up Castillero Trail until you reach the top of the ridge.
  • 3.0 mi: When you reach the site of the old Rotary Furnace, veer left onto Wood Road toward Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
  • 4.5 mi: At the Hicks/Wood Road entrance. Cross over Hicks Road and continue on Woods Trail (fire road). The next two miles are rolling, and then the trail starts climbing to Mt. El Sombroso.
  • 7.3 mi: Pass Barlow Road on your left. Continue climbing on Woods Trail for another 3 miles.
  • 10.4 mi: At 2999' Mt. El Sombroso! Almost all downhill now... Continue on Woods Trail for another half-mile.
  • 11.0 mi: At the Kennedy Trail intersection. Continue straight onto Limekiln Trail and begin your descent!
  • 14.0 mi: Veer left onto Priest Rock Trail. There is a brief climb, and then a two-mile long descent to Alma Bridge Road.
  • 16.4 mi: Priest Rock Trail ends on Alma Bridge Road. Turn left on Alma Bridge Road and then turn right into the parking area.
  • 16.6 mi: At the finish! Is your ride waiting?
Picture
Woods Road heading toward Sierra Azul
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The view from Mt. El Sombroso (2999')
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The long descent on Priest Rock Trail

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