Joseph Grant County Park
Sunday, July 2, 2000
Teaming up with trail runner extraordinare, Jon Easterbrook, leading his Palo Alto Run
Club (PARC) monthly trail run for July, a few of the DURT runners went for a moderate
adventure run through Joseph Grant County Park. This is yet another wild and
wonderful park in the southeast bay hills.
General course description:
We began at the main parking lot and ran south on the Hotel
Trail to it's junction with the San Felipe Trail. After a short travel west, we ran
north through the central valley of the park then looped back south to the southern park
border. From here, the three DURT runners said farewell to the PARC group and set
off toward the high eastern ridge. Returning to the Hotel Trail, we climbed south up
to Eagle Lake where we encountered a wild pig party. I'd estimate that at least 50
of the oinkers were in attendance. Apparently, they didn't appreciate our crashing
the scene, because they hastily parted our
company with big pigs in front and little piglets trailing behind like a train through
the weeds.
The course got tough from that point on, climbing the highest
point of the eastern ridge just below Mount Hamilton. There are some very steep
grades up that thing! Crossing the highway at Twin Gates, we ran down to the parking
lot via the Yerba Buena Trail to close the loop.
Details:
- Meeting Place: Joseph Grant County Park (main parking lot)
- Distance: 17 miles
- Difficulty: First half was easy, second have was abusive!
- Water Stops: No potable water on trail. Many sources if
you bring filter.
Special Features:
- Hills.
- Great views from eastern ridge.
- Wild pigs.
- Beautiful wildflowers.
Directions to start:
Grant Park is located off Mount Hamilton Road. To get
there, take Alum Rock Avenue east from either Highway 101 or Interstate 680 in San
Jose. Go a few miles until you see the obvious sign for Mount Hamilton Road and
Joseph Grant Park. Turn right here, and travel about eight miles to the park.
Turn right into the main entrance and proceed to main parking lot near the ranch house and
park by the bathrooms. Maps and other information are available at the following web
site:
http://claraweb.co.santa-clara.ca.us/parks/prkpages/grant.htm
Detailed Course Description:
