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Hiking in "Almaden Quicksilver County Park". New Almaden, San Jose, CA.

By Chris Alston

Real Estate Agent with Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Silicon Valley, California) 01338415

August 25, 2011 12:05 PM

Hiking in "Almaden Quicksilver County Park". It is located in New Almaden, which is in the Southern part of San Jose, CA.

Almaden Quicksilver Park

This park is owned and maintained by the County of Santa Clara. It was purchased in the mid 70's and turned into a rich historical park full of trails and discovery.

Almaden Quicksilver Park

The parking lot is spacious, and free. As you approach the trial head, you are greeted with a great board showing you the trails, and many handouts explaining the paths you can take.

Almaden Quicksilver Park

Most of the beginning of the hike is in the shadows of the trees, and opens into a mixed chaparral forest with sage brush and other vegetation. Near the top it opens up to sunny vistas. Be sure to bring sunblock!

Almaden Quicksilver Park

Mixed among the hike, are remnants of days gone by.

Almaden Quicksilver Park

This furnace was used to heat the cinnabar and release the mercury from the sulfer leading eventually to liquid mercury.

Almaden Quicksilver Park

Near English camp was this neat barn.

Almaden Quicksilver Park

Several if no all of the mine tunnels and shafts were sealed, but this one allows you to vision history up close!

Almaden Quicksilver Park

Near the top of the peak, you start to see stunning views of the City of San Jose and beyond. If you are planning on hiking in the park, be sure to bring lots of water, and dress in layers. Near the base of the trails can be poison oak, so keep a good eye out.

-Chris Alston

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Gloria Todor

Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA

& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Hi Chris, Looks like a great place to escape for a few hours from the routine and take in some history on the way. Good the county took this place over. Does your son enjoy hiking with you?

Gloria

Aug 25, 2011 12:53 PM

Stacey Smith

Keller Williams Realty - Aliso Viejo, CA

Your Orange County Beach Cities Realtor

That looks like such a neat hike Chris... You got to see so much amazing things, so much history on your way to the top, and after seeing that view I am sure you were probably tired but that view was so worth it and your camera probably isn't doing it any justice...

Aug 25, 2011 12:53 PM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Astonishing pictures, Chris! Especially the shots of times gone by. That old fireplace, with surrounding structure long gone, has special qualities.

Aug 25, 2011 01:44 PM

Chris Alston

Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Silicon Valley, California) - Campbell, CA

Silicon Valley, California

Doug - Alot of my hiking I do without my son, but we do shorter ones at my house. About a mile or so. He loves those! Working him up to go with me! :)

Aug 25, 2011 04:13 PM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Chris,

What a fascinating hike and place to visit. Thanks for sharing it with us. I enjoyed seeing the pictures and reading all about it!

Great job!

Aug 25, 2011 04:56 PM

Chris Alston

Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Silicon Valley, California) - Campbell, CA

Silicon Valley, California

Stacey - I was pretty tired! Kinda sore in my legs the next day...

Aug 25, 2011 05:41 PM

Chris Alston

Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Silicon Valley, California) - Campbell, CA

Silicon Valley, California

Myrl - You are sooooo on my train of thought! :)

Aug 25, 2011 05:43 PM

Cal Yoder

Keller Williams Elite - Lititz, PA

Homes For Sale in Lancaster PA - 717.413.0744

A nice hiking spot. Pretty cool to learn about the mining, get some good exercise and end up with that view. That is pretty awesome. thanks for the warning about poison ivy. We do not get along.

Cal

Aug 25, 2011 10:46 PM

Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Chris - this is just beautiful and with lots of history too; what else could you possibly want in a hiking spot.

Aug 26, 2011 01:25 AM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Chris, it is fun to "do the trip" with you --- great photos, and would be fun to get a hike in and see those views!

Aug 26, 2011 01:34 AM

Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate

M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Chris, This looks like a great place to head out for the day. Lots of history there. I would love to spend the day hiking and exploring there.

Aug 26, 2011 04:17 AM

Dagny Eason

Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT

Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Thanks for sharing those great pictures and views! With all of my kids out west in CA and in AK, I sure love the views and history that you share. I know they are hiking these spots, too!

Aug 27, 2011 11:22 AM

Dagny Eason

Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT

Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

I just +1'd you!

Aug 27, 2011 11:23 AM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

Chris: This looks like a very historic mining town, sometimes we forget these are still around!

Aug 28, 2011 02:57 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Chris - Almaden Quicksilver County Park look like an interesting and great place to hike. I'm an avid hiker and wish I had trails like these by my home - I'm so bored of all the hikes around here! Love all your photos, but the old fireplace is my favorite - so cool!

Aug 28, 2011 01:49 PM

Anonymous

invenuits

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Mar 23, 2013 12:40 AM

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