Henry Coe - Pacheco Falls ride

4 stars Trip_type_mtb
Tags: Henry Coe, Pacheco Falls, wildflowers, Bay Area
Trip created by elhombre on 2006/08/31
Overall Rating 4 stars
Technical Difficulty 3 stars
Aerobic Difficulty 5 stars
Distance (mi) 25.1
Elevation Range (ft) 843 - 2609
Total Ascent (ft) 5354
Total Descent (ft) -5340
Total Ascent Distance (mi) 13.3
Total Descent Distance (mi) 11.8
Moving Time 04h 15m 51s
Stopped Time 01h 57m 09s
Average Speed (mph) 4.0
Average Moving Speed (mph) 5.8
Stops 44
Start Time 2006/04/29 09:57:52
Finish Time 2006/04/29 16:10:52
Time Zone Pacific Time (US & Canada)
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Description

This is a magnificent but tough long ride in Henry Coe State Park which brings you deep into the park. All the normal Coe disclaimers apply (climbs can be very steep and tough, it can be intolerably hot in summer, you’re far away from rescue, be prepared etc). The Pacheco falls are at their best when there is water of course, so early spring is a great time for this ride.

You’ll be likely to meet very few people, except in the area near the trailhead (Hunting Hollow). There is some absolutely gorgeous singletrack descending to enjoy (e.g. the Tule Pond trail) – many trails can be severely overgrown though.

The trail to the falls starts as a small overgrown track in a meadow but soon drops you down very steeply. Remember that you’ll need to climb all this up again! The trail drops you all the way to the bottom of the falls but just a couple of switchbacks before you get there, there is a hard to see sidetrack to the left. Follow this to the edge of a big cliff and you’ll get IMO the best views of the falls (if you zoom in on the map and look at the photos, you can notice this sidetrack).

Riding Wagon Wheel trail back out, I just was able to avoid overrunning a big fat rattlesnake. Another example of the type of distractions Coe may throw at you!

Map

Map Markers:
Miles KM's Pictures
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Printable Maps

Use these links to view or print maps in three different resolutions.

Terrain 800x600   1024x768   1600x1200     Street 800x600   1024x768   1600x1200     USGS Topo 800x600   1024x768   1600x1200

Pictures

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    trip_img_542 Just reaching out over the fog on Coit road 2006/04/29 11:16:37
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    trip_img_543 Spring = gorgeous wildflowers all over the place! 2006/04/29 11:48:07
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    trip_img_544 More wildflowers 2006/04/29 11:48:52
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    trip_img_545 Overgrown 2006/04/29 12:11:56
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    trip_img_546 The trail to the falls 2006/04/29 12:26:43
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    trip_img_547 Overview of the falls 2006/04/29 12:36:21
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    trip_img_548 The falls in full glory 2006/04/29 12:39:12
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    trip_img_549 Go in spring for scenes like this - later in the season things dry out 2006/04/29 12:39:40
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    trip_img_550 Cliff 2006/04/29 12:44:57
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    trip_img_551 Vertigo viewpoint 2006/04/29 12:45:56
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    trip_img_552 More vertigo 2006/04/29 12:46:58
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    trip_img_553 Bike pose 2006/04/29 12:53:32
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    trip_img_554 The falls at the bottom 2006/04/29 12:59:20
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    trip_img_555 Rattler alert! 2006/04/29 13:53:20
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    trip_img_556 It's a big boy/girl 2006/04/29 14:01:47
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    trip_img_557 Roadside poppies 2006/04/29 14:29:38
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    trip_img_558 Did I say spring is wildflower time? 2006/04/29 14:33:13
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    trip_img_559 Tule Pond trail, one of the highlights of this ride for me 2006/04/29 14:41:02
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    trip_img_560 On Tule Pond trail 2006/04/29 14:44:31
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    trip_img_561 On the grueling Serpetine trail 2006/04/29 15:19:04
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    trip_img_562 Serpentine to Middle Steer 2006/04/29 15:19:22
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    trip_img_563 To Middle Steer 2006/04/29 15:23:04
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    trip_img_564 Flowers on Middle Steer 2006/04/29 15:30:36
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    trip_img_565 Middle Steer 2006/04/29 15:32:58
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    trip_img_566 Down on Middle Steer 2006/04/29 15:34:48
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    trip_img_541 Almost home 2006/04/29 15:52:44

Comments

  • Comment posted by BikingBrazilian on 2007/10/22 19:39:37

    Awesome pictures! I have yet to explore this area of Coe, as I have been stuck to HQ rides for the last 6 months.

    Time for some HH/Gilroy Hot Springs rides. I hear the singletrack is better from down there anyway, as are the views (as shown by your awesome photos).

    I just discovered this website and loving it!

    Patrick (Biking Brazilian)


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