Quicksilver

Quicksilver

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	Quicksilver
Location:	California - Bay Area
Nearest Town:	Almaden
Directions to Trailhead:	http://claraweb.co.santa-clara.ca.us/parks/prkpages/aq.htm The park may be accessed from three areas. The McAbee entrance at the north end of the park can be accessed off McAbee Road. This entrance is accessible to pedestrians and equestrians only. Turn south off Camden Avenue and follow McAbee Road to its terminus (.6 miles). Only street parking is available. The Mockingbird Hill entrance is accessed off Mockingbird Hill Lane. This entrance is accessible to pedestrians and equestrians only. From Highway 85, take the Almaden Expressway exit south 4.5 miles to Almaden Road. Proceed .5 miles on Almaden Road to Mockingbird Hill Lane, turn right and continue .4 miles to the parking area. The Hacienda entrance is located at the south end of New Almaden. This entrance is accessible to all users, including bicyclists. From Almaden Expressway, proceed 3 miles along Almaden Road through the town of New Almaden to the unpaved staging area on the right.
Trail Description:	Fire roads are legal, Single track is ILLEGAL but wicked cool. Don't ask me how i know ;-)
Trail Length:	20+ miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack & Fire Roads
Skill Level:	Trails for all skill levels
Web Link:	http://claraweb.co.santa-clara.ca.us/parks/prkpages/aq.htm
Submitted By:	Greg V

el Jim from Los Gatos, CA USA Date: March 27, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start at Hacienda, Up Mine Hill to Cape Horn, continue to Day Tunnel and Randol. Down to Prospect #3, Randol back to Mine Hill. Up Mine Hill to Bull Run then either down Mine Hill or over to Castillero to English Camp and down to Hacienda. Other recommended trails in the same area: Coe, St Joe, SDF, the Matrix.
Review: The authors of other reviews have said it all. ...and I mean all! Some of these writters are like Hemingway or Jack London. Great prose but QS is inspirational with all the history. Hell there is even a nerd fight. The only thing I can add is that I've found some legal killer single-track here. Take your time and explore. It's out there, it's legal and it rivals the Goat Trail, ECDM, and SDF in the quaility of single-track. If you find it, watch for the PO. Bring some Technu.	Overall Rating:

Bill B from Almaden Valley Date: March 2, 2003 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Welcome Back to another Season! Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Here we are again at the start of another season of what should be great weather for riding. I plan on hitting this trail very often this season with my new bike and hope to see some you up there! Have a great Season! Bill B	Overall Rating:

MtnBiker from San Jose, CA Date: September 22, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: take Minehill trail all way to BullRun. take the castillero trail back down to Minehill and down to the parking Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This trail is not technical but is a really good workout with that uphill. You can checkout the cemetary. Now that I look at the map again there are a couple of other mine entrances that I haven't seen. Now that people talk about the 15mph speed limit, i usually hit 25-30 mph on that downhill so be careful. its nearly a 3 mile downhill and gets over in no time. How much is a speeding ticket on a bike?	Overall Rating:

JYLO from Fremont, CA Date: August 12, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Only one entrance legal for bikers: Hacienda Entrance. Other recommended trails in the same area: Afterwork rides: Santa Teresa. QuickSilver Weekend rides: Gap. Wilder. Soquel(killer fun). Grant.
Review: I come here at least two times a week for the past two months. The fact that this place is close to my work makes it an ideal place to take my mind off of the daily grind. I am usually burn out mentally after work. So given this trail is nothing technical makes it an ideal place to relief my work-induced stress. The first climb is great. I usually feel my legs burn 3/4 way up. If you get tire, don't stop, keep on going. First timers will probably stop at the Capehorn junction. It's gone a nice pinic table for you to rest and regroup with your buddies if you are riding with some. The junction gives you three trail choices. The one at the 1 o'clock position is closed to bicycles. The one at 11 o'clock will take you down for an easy ride with some killer views of the south bay. Continue riding this will take you to the reservoir. Then it's a long 2+ mile climb to Bull Run on this long, exposed, fireroad. This climb can burn you on a hot day. The third choice, my recommended choice, is to rough it out at Capehorn and up the remaining 2 miles to Bullrun. This climb is a little wider and is mostly covered with trees. Cool breeze often find its way into this part of the park, too. After coming here a few times going up here non-stop from the parking is not so bad anymore. When I dont have time I usually turn around on Bullrun and enjoy a killer downhill as you fly through the trail you just spent 30 minutes climbing. Please go down carefully and use your bell if you have one. One can easily forget how fast they are going on this fireroad.	Overall Rating:

jun from salaya Date: June 23, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: saratoga gap trail, joseph grant
Review: I would consider it beginners trail, but the view is beautiful, if is full of history, is it more for recreational riding and very relaxing because of the sceneries. The long gradual climb is a nice workout,depending on how you want to do it, small or middle chaning ring. I will come back soon.five star for scenries and ralaxing ride.	Overall Rating:

Another Local from San Jose-Almaden Date: June 7, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Almaden Expressway to New Almaden Other recommended trails in the same area: Technical riders visit the other side of Almaden riders take Style's ranch and take the 1st right by the old down tree to the ridge, lot's of rocks - single track with GREAT wild flowers
Review: The ride is beautiful, you can feel the ghosts of past miners. Pay attention to the surroundings and you will see a restored mine tunnel with safe access, an assortment of animal life and wonderful views. The ride is as challenging as the rider wants to make of it. Technical riders this is not the ride you will get off on. Fireroad is shared with hikers and occasional horses.	Overall Rating:

Bill B from Almaden,Ca, USof A Date: May 29, 2002 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: All of them!
Review: This trail is a brutal tribute to the pioneers of the mechanical world. We take for granted the way they lived and spent the time they had. They worked hard and couldn't hide behind computers. This trail is for the enjoyment and education of all who ride or hike on it. It's unfortunate that some people have to lie about things to keep others from enjoying it. Well (Pete) please don't be up there when other "normal" folks are up there, because they are trying to have a good time. Unlike you! I think you can quit driving around in your car with your HUFFY FSB on the bike rack on the weekends. At least take it off the back and walk it through the dirt so the tires get dirty. Jeez! I love this no challenge trail. It's great!	Overall Rating:

Bill B from Almaden,Ca US of A Date: May 13, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I really think you made it up because if you knew anything about rangers they are not going to cite you for speed on a trail... There are provisions for it in the County Muni Code or the Vehicle Code. It needs to be posted and surveyed to shoot radar. Rangers won't and don't use radar to cite for speed. They can't cite moving violations. So that ells me that your making this stuff up! Also this next weekend there will be an endurance ride! Give it a shot! I was just up there yesterday and only saw 2 people the whole day! Are you riding a Mt. Bike or a Motor Cycle up there???	Overall Rating:

Peter Fitzwell from SJ Date: May 9, 2002 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: BillB, Do you think I made this up?!? Other recommended trails in the same area: Have a nice day :o)
Review: To the releif of anybody within eyesight, I haven't worn a tight piece of clothing since 1984.	Overall Rating:

Bill B from Almaden,Ca USA Date: April 26, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Any in the SCC Park system! Just look out for "YUPPIES" wearing lycra!
Review: This Trail is great! I love it! It's my favorite! We just don't like people wearing lycra with team logos on our trails. They are usually Idiots. I think the last reviewer must have been doing drugs.... or too many power bars! Rangers don't even go up there. Duh! Rangers are too lazy to do anything like that. If he wants to be all by himself, he should be heliported in to a mountainous area void of all human contact. He sounds like a Yuppie "wanna be" racer type that frequents Star*ucks for coffee and wears lycra with team logos just to look cool getting out of his BMW at the shopping center. God forbid if he get his bike dirty! Sheeesh! Have a good ride!	Overall Rating:

Peter Fitzwell from San Jose Date: March 18, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: One loop. Beginer climbs. Nothing technical. Too crowded. If I go here again, it will be with the wife & kids (only for the view). Other recommended trails in the same area: Santa Teresa, Coe
Review: I have a serious problem with this park. The ranger will hide, and try to pick of speeders on the downhill. I honestly thought I was going slow. There are a lot of people there, that's why I was on my brakes the entire time. Although a ticket was threatened, one was never issued. The ranger informed me that as soon as the 15MPH signs are put up, they will start using their radar gun to pick off riders, honestly! (not sure if they will require spedometers on all bikes) When riding a mountain bike, I am concerned about my safety and those around me. But, in my opinion, I think they are going too far. I understand they don't really want bikes there, and maybe, this is their way of keeping us out. Well, it worked on me.	Overall Rating:

JT from Sunnyvale Date: November 12, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Santa Theresa.
Review: I like this trail alot, although it's all fire road. You start out with a not so difficult climb all the way to the top, then take a loop back to the parking lot. The loop is about 10 miles. I love the view on this trail once you get on to the top. It's a very relaxing trail to ride on. Good place to go if you just want to have a quick ride.	Overall Rating:

Kyle Maxwell from San Jose, CA USA Date: June 3, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Park at the Hacienda entrance the La Foret and ride up the fire road. Around 2.5 miles up. you'll approach a Y intersection. Go right. The fireroad levels a bit, climbs a little more, then begins the down hill. This takes you to the bottom at the end of Macabee Street. Travel down Macabee, take a right on Camden Ave. , then a right on Almaden Road and back to the Hacienda entrance for a nice 15 mile loop. Other recommended trails in the same area: Soquel Demo, El Corte Madera, El Cerrito, Wilder
Review: Quicksilver is a pretty basic, but fun ride. It climbs fairly gradually, but if you're an advanced rider, do it in your middle chain ring. That will give you an incredible workout. The downhill is like riding on marbles. Luckily, its wide enough and without ruts, to really practice your bombing. Take the corners wide and sweep into the turn. Grag your foot and keep your speed. You'll gain 5 mph on your next singletrack ride. It ends with a cooling down road ride. On Almaden and Camden, stop in the shopping center and go to the Burrito Factory for some killer taqueria burritos.	Overall Rating:

West Syder Ryder from Oakland, CA Date: April 16, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: clockwise Other recommended trails in the same area: Los Alamitos Creek equastrain trail - beginners Santa Theresa
Review: Loooooong, gradual climb. Trail is boring, but a good early season workout for an old (37) guy with 2 knee ops. Wildlife and views are SPECTACULAR! Towering views and lots of critters. Ride is worth it for the views alone. In addition, I see plenty of rabbits, some deer, saw a wild pig at dusk the first time I rode this trail, and saw either a mountain lion or bobcat the other time I rode this trail. Love that downhill at the end!	Overall Rating:

1 from 2 Date: January 1, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: wow Other recommended trails in the same area: wow
Review: wow	Overall Rating:

Bill B from San Jose, Almaden, Ca. Date: January 1, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Hacienda, Up and follow the loop. Don't forget to pickup a Map at the Kiosk/Sign... Other recommended trails in the same area: Santa Teresa County Park Many Many Many Cool trails... the best in the park is Coyote Peak!
Review: I have been riding this trail before it was a trail for the County Park system, I have been riding it since I was about 9 yrs old. I'm 40 now... I grew up in the Almaden Valley and have seen things change... Every time I go out on this trail I see something new. I can't believe that the area is so rich with history. I think this trail is one of the best, it has it's uphills and downhills and rough trails, scenic trails and it's just plain refreshing if you don't want to do all the hard stuff. Usually the Rangers won't bother you... I should know I'm a County Sheriff's Deputy. Don't let that bother you, "We Ride Too!" All in all it's a great trail, I have met some nice people while up there... Give it a try! I think you'll like it! Don't forget to bring your camera!	Overall Rating:

Clem Kadidlehopper from San Jose, CA Date: January 24, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: The only legal entrance is the Hacienda entrance off Almaden Rd. Trail map with history of the Quicksilver mines available at the entrance. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This trail is fairly easy and wide with minimal legal single track. Some great views of San Jose and Morgan Hill to the south. Cool ghost town and abandoned mines. 2 stars for the ride. 5 stars for scenery.	Overall Rating:

Greg V from Los Gatos Date: December 22, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: for pictures go to www.v2inc.com/indexmb.html. Click on Quicksilver for lots of pixs! Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Tons of shots of the ghost town, grave yard, purple forest, etc.	Overall Rating:

Greg V from Los Gatos Date: September 16, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Mutilple way to go. The legal way is to start at the Hacienda entrance and CLIMB on English Camp Trail. It's brutal, about 2 miles on steep fire roads gaining about 2500 ft. Take Mine Hill road to the "Day Tunnel" one of the first mines built in the 1930's. Explore teh San Cristobal Mine. Almaden used to be the captial of silver and mercury mining in the US so DONT DRINK THE WATER. There's a great book about the area called "Angle of Repose" if interested. It's set in the 30's and discuss what life was like in the area. When we ride at night, the temp outside will be in the low 50s but as soon as you go into the mine shaft, the temp rises to about 70. Oops we never night ride, sorry. Explore the various mines you'll come to [old ghost town up there somewhere, kinda spooky, or so i have heard] and then start your return on Randol Trail which will hook you up with Mine Trail again. Fast decent back to the Hacienda entrance and you're done. Probably about 15 mile ride. Other recommended trails in the same area: Coe, Gap, Stiles, Skaggs,
Review: I gave it a 5 'cause i know where the good stuff is, and it is GOOD, maybe the best i've ever ridden. If you ride the above route i'd only give it a 2 star rating.	Overall Rating:

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