Alum Rock Park Trail

Description

This is a rather short run and offers beautiful views from the East Bay Hills to downtown San Jose and the Santa Cruz Mountains on the other side of the valley. The trail's only 3 miles. However you can park about a mile from the beginning of the trail and make this a longer run.

The trail is quite steep and has 10 switchbacks to reach the top. It climbs about 700 feet in about a mile and a half. So it's steeper than Rancho but much shorter.

We ran this trail on a rather misty December morning. The sun was struggling to penetrate the gloom and we we're able to appreciate or photograph the view. However there a kind of "Count Dracula's Castle in Transylvania" kind of feel about the trail that morning. It was beautiful. We didn't encounter any of the living dead - however we didn't encounter any of the living either! Apart from school children at the visitor center, the park was deserted.

The park is operated by the City of San Jose. A parking charge ($6 on 12/5/07) is made. The park has BBQ facilities.

Location

This park is quite close to Penencia Light Rail Station on Capitol (two stops north of Alum Rock Light Rail). Proceed east along Penencia Ave for 2 miles and you'll arrive at the Park Entrance.

Maps, Photos and More Information

Updated: December 5, 2007

Trail Data Sheets

Here are a series of great trails which we've run around the area:
(In alphabetical order!)

Alum Rock Park
Coyote Peak Trail
Guadalupe Park Trail
Los Gatos Creek Trail
Nibbs Knob Trail
Quicksilver Park