Almaden-Quiksilver Trail

A beautiful park that brings nature up close. Some people don’t know that you need to keep to the right when hiking, and some play music loudly for all to hear. All too often you find people on bikes who know the Rangers are stretched thin, or toss their water bottles aside.
Early mornings are best, it’s quiet, serene and you see the occasional Bobcat, sometimes hear the mating call of a cougar, and the occasional glimpses of a curious coyote or other species who call this park home.
When the reservoir is full, it’s a great place to bring your dogs for a swim if the water isn’t fouled with bacteria & the excretions of invasive fowl. Any Ranger who happens by is normally understanding of this, knowing they have bigger worries to contend with. Fishermen need to make sure they pick up their lines & bait too. Smokers need to forgo their cravings while on the trails & be mindful of the dry conditions.
I’m always amazed how some parents bring their children up here & then let them wander several 100 yards away. Prime targets for the occasional carnivore.
Love– starved tarantulas & beautiful bucks search for a mate. Wild turkeys & quail talk softly as the occasional rattle snake leaves a trail for us to see in the soil. Look closely at the tales these trails hold & see who left their prints or scat. It’s a dynamic system, home to fragmented populations. Respect it, love it & enjoy it.

Easy to get to the trailhead on McAbee Road, just off of Hwy 85 and Camden. We did a loop that was about 5 miles that included some good climbing and took us past the Guadalupe Reservoir. Best to start early in the summer because although there is some shade, it gets hot. The views are stunning with oaks, vistas of the distant hills and the reservoir along the way.
When we have more time, there are many longer options that I’d love to explore. Even though there were lots of parked cars at this trailhead, the trail wasn’t crowded and no bikes are allowed, so it was mostly quiet and that’s what hiking is all about!

This is my go to local and easy hiking place. I can either do a 10 miler or take it easy and do a lesser one.
The choices are a plenty. Flat to undulating trail. Short or long. You could start at the McAbee entrance where I always do and end up at the Mockingbird parking lot entrance for a more downhill adventure or do the opposite and continuously climb up. Nothing strenuous but not flat either.
I suggest the continuous climb. It’s good for your glutes. Lovely for those summer toned legs and it will keep you from getting bored. Well– somewhat less boring.
Whatever trail you choose it will be better than seating and watching tv at home. But the trail that I mentioned has some forgiving tree coverage form the sun. You will want that .
Although it’s isolated and sometimes the trail is blocked by fallen trees and you will have to do some climbing to go around them. You will cross about 6 – 7 short bridges with bone dry creeks. A few deer sightings if you’re lucky!
Happy trails!
#getoffyourbutt

This is my favorite place to hike around here. I’ve also basically reshaped my legs by doing the 4 mile trail 4 times a week (casual 1.5 hr duration). It was three weeks in that I notice a difference in leg shape. Like. A lot
Round trip: you can go 2, 4, 8, and I’ve even done 19 miles and I’m sure there’s longer paths. It’s got the intensity of hill paths, a nice break between shade and open trail, a little water bank, a creek, and it’s just beautiful.