China Hole Loop@Henry Coe

This is one of the local bay area hikes (Morgan Hill) that is wonderful to visit during spring time. The trail is covered with a variety of colorful flowers that will keep you and your camera busy.
There are lots of trails to explore, if you're considering China Loop Trail, here are some data points:

China Loop Trail 10M (official park web-site: http://www.coepark.org/hikes-hq-desc.html)
Start out at Coe Headquarters (this is where you can pick up the maps) -Parking Fee $5.00

1. Take Coral Trail to


2. Springs Trail to


3. Manzanita Rd (Fire Rd - you don't have any other choice here


4. Take China Hole Trail - which will take you all the way down.

This entire portion of the hike is either flat or down hill, - it should take you no longer than 2 hrs to decent.There is a nice camp at the bottom for a picnic (beware of poison oak -it's everywhere).

Once you're ready to head back, you can go back via China Hole Trail (not much shade here) or take Coyote Creek Trail to Madrone Soda Springs.
Both will be an uphill hike, since shade and creek tend to be more pleasant, I would recommend the latter.

1. Coyote Creek Trail to


2. Take the Manzanita Fire Rd back to (depending on the shape you're in - it will take 1/1.5hrs to get to Manzanita point)


3. Forest trail (1.7M) back for change of scenery

All in all, it's a leisurely, pleasant hike. It's not long enough or steep enough to train for the Sierras or peaks over 4000 Meters, but it will definitely wow you with the display wild of flowers.
Enjoy the pics, and hurry! Summer will burn the grass back to yellow and before you know it, you'll miss a great flower season.