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An easy trail with nice views of the Calero Reservoir.


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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.4

KM

Doubletrack

866' 264 m

High

494' 151 m

Low

158' 48 m

Up

467' 142 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Need to Know

Trail leads through some remote areas with poor cell coverage. Carry tools and spares. Those connecting to Rancho Cañada del Oro should make sure they have sufficient energy to loop back home.

Description

As of 2022, there are official park signs that the Lisa Killough Trail is now one-way in the counter-clockwise direction, which means the Cottle Trail must be ridden as a return to the parking lot and the description should be considered in the opposite order (written for north to south).

This trail makes the east side of the main bike legal loop in Rancho San Vicente/Calero County parks. Riders starting from the main park entrance on McKean Road can take Cottle Trail south until it meets Lisa Killough Trail. At that point, it's possible to use Lisa Killough Trail to go back to the parking lot (a total loop of about eight miles), or continue on Cottle Trail until it meets Chisnantuck Peak Trail and ride all the way south to Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve.

The first segment (from the park entrance to Lisa Killough Trail) has four miles of a very gentle grade, mostly made of fire roads (and double-wide singletrack). There are nice views of the Calero Reservoir about halfway down the trail (it's hard to miss). The trail has tree coverage of about 50%, so plan accordingly during the warm months of the year.

From the Lisa Killough Trail junction down, the trail gradually becomes a typical South Bay fire road climb, ending at Chisnantuck Peak Trail. People who prefer a longer ride may wish to connect to Rancho Cañada del Oro for a much longer (and more strenuous) ride.

Note, the last 0.5 miles to Chisnantuck Peak Trail has a steep fire road climb (17% grade at times).

Contacts

Land Manager: Santa Clara County Parks

Shared By:

Marco Paganini with improvements by Geoff Stahl and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 9 votes

#10008

Overall
  4.0 from 9 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#649

in California

#10,008

Overall
22 Views Last Month
3,215 Since Apr 10, 2018
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

33%
33%
11%
22%
0%
0%

Photos

San Vincente Trail Sunday December 11, 2021.
Jan 2, 2022 near Almaden…, CA
View from the back of Calero Reservoir (on a somewhat cloudy day)
Apr 7, 2018 near Almaden…, CA
Calero Reservoir
Aug 20, 2018 near Almaden…, CA
Calero Reservoir
Aug 20, 2018 near Almaden…, CA
Picnic table at the top of the trail
Jul 5, 2020 near Almaden…, CA
Calero Reservior, Rancho San Vicente
Jul 22, 2018 near Almaden…, CA

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