The Shortcut
A few weeks ago I took on a Bay Area beast, Mt Sizer in Henry Coe State Park. Like all hikes in Henry Coe, it’s a long slog up and down dirt roads, but at this time of year there are a lot of reasons to do it. The weather was perfect for a long day, a little overcast and cool, and the wildflowers were blooming. My GPS track told me I hiked 17 miles with 6000 feet of up and down, and my legs certainly wouldn’t disagree with that! I took my time to enjoy the wildflowers, have a few picnics along the way, and even picked up a few geocaches planted around the park.
I have to say that I was happy to finally see what the fuss about the ‘Hobbs Road Shortcut’ was all about. Reputed to be the steepest trail in the Bay Area, I can now add my vote to the tally. Due to the direction I took the loop, I ended up coming down the thing, and if I hadn’t had my trekking poles along I might have turned around and gone the long way back to Headquarters.
All in all, it was a long but enjoyable day. I certainly wouldn’t choose it as a quick ‘hike in the park’, but I’d do it again.
Style:
Loop Dayhike or Backpack
Distance:
16 Miles
Elevation Gain:
+/- 4400 ft
Trailhead and Permit Notes:
Henry Coe day use hours can be found by visiting the park’s website or calling. Given the difficulty of this hike, it is important to arrive upon gates opening to get an early start as possible. An entry fee applies ($8 as of this listing). If considering a backpack for this hike, contact the park for current reservation and permit requirements.
Camping Tips:
Coe Ranch Campground, at the park headquarters, has 20 sites available for reservation. If you want to get an early start on this hike, it is advisable to camp the night before so you don’t have to wait for the gate to open in the morning.
If you choose to backpack this loop, pick up your permit at the park headquarters before heading out. Backcountry campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. There are several opportunities to camp on this loop, many of which include places to fill water: Frog Lake, Coyote Creek, and Poverty Flat.
Useful Guides and Gear:
