Coe... from the North! (California)

[MattL]

I was sizing up the Mt Hamilton climb as a training ride and realized that it looks like (http://g.co/maps/7wc2b) you could then descend into Henry Coe across some pretty empty country.  I could turn this into a back-to-back overnighter, or a 100+ mile day.

Anyway, has anyone else tried this?  Do the roads in fact go through, or am I going to come upon some fence or sternly worded signs at some point?

[bjorn240]

There's a gate, usually closed, on Upper San Antonio Valley Road, where it intersects with 130.   I suspect that the land it crosses is private, but am not sure.  I do know 100% that County Line Road, north of Red Creek Road (south of where you are talking about) is private.

Also be aware you can't cycle in the Orestimba wilderness.  Bikepacking in the rest of the park is allowed, but you'll need a camping permit (which, of course, you also can't get going in via Upper San Antonio Valley, since there's no ranger station up there.)

In short, the roads certainly connect, but you might get dinged for trespassing between San Antonio Valley Road (130) and Red Creek and asked to turn around. 

I think the park master plan does eventually plan for an entrance to the Park here, but when, who knows.

I'd go, and beg forgiveness if you get caught! 

[SlowDave]

Please keep us posted on this.  I live in Livermore and ride up Mines Rd and camp illegally (more fun that way).  If you are able to get through from San Antonio Rd that would open the possibility of multi-day fun for me from my door step.

Dave

[bjorn240]

Dave, I can categorically state that you -can- get through.  It is graded dirt road the whole way.  Whether it's all public right of way is the open question.

[MattL]

Please keep us posted on this.  I live in Livermore and ride up Mines Rd and camp illegally (more fun that way).  If you are able to get through from San Antonio Rd that would open the possibility of multi-day fun for me from my door step.

I hope to give this a try over Thanksgiving, actually.  I will update afterward.

[MattL]

Update:

I headed out on Thanksgiving with a modified version of this route in mind, intending to turn right at what Google Maps calls San Felipe "Road", which appears to be a trailhead in Joseph D Grant.  Anyway, it was freaking rainy and cold up Mt Ham on Turkey Day, and by the time I got to the trailhead, I was running out of daylight, soaked to the core, and the trail was closed to bikes and horses on account of the rain.  Since I had no tent (Mont Bell bivy), a 35º down bag, and no dry clothes, I turned tail and headed back home.

I came down with a cold the following weekend, which I'm just getting over.  Maybe related, maybe not.  Anyway, I intend another attempt as soon as I have a free weekend with clear weather.

Another area I'd like to explore, with weather that'll probably cooperate better in winter and spring, is the Panoche Hills/New Idria Mine area.  This is BLM land roughly east of Pinnacles but west of I-5.  Anybody ever ridden there?

[nativeson]

awesome....i'd been following this thread for a bit.  i've ridden san felipe road off of metcalf rd, my buddy and i tried to make are way on some ranch lands from that point over to anderson resevoir.  didn't make it, felt a bit sketchy at times.  the new idria area's closed now due to asbetsos, rick hunter used to do a ride through there that started on the coast. 

i've done a few overnighters from the hunting hollow lot, but never ridden up any of the roads to get to the southern coe entrance, always drive my car.

i grew up in livermore, live in watsonville now, and would definitely be interested in some stealth camp spots of mines coming off mt. hamilton, or a dirt route?  i've even seen some pictures/write up on the net about some guy poaching the ohlone trail from sunol on his bike.

[T O Double D]

You can now ride through the closed area of Clear Creek, the BLM land behind New Idria, from Panoche Valley to HWY 25.  San Benito county has a road that goes through and that is the only legal route at this point. Do a google search for legal clear creek track and you'll find my gps track. As for Panoche Valkey there's not much to it as there's just one road through. It would make a great spring trip. Don't forget to include Mercy Hot Springs as a camp spot and the Panoche bar usually has sandwiches.

[MattL]

Hey, Todd.  This sounds like an interesting weekend trip.  I found your posting at gpsxchange but can't download your file.  Any chance you could email it to me?  If so, I'll happily host it for download by anyone else with no restrictions.

[T O Double D]

I sent you an email with the track. I hope it gets somebody out there.