#COYOTE LAKE PORTABLE#

It is slightly steeper, with approximately 200’ elevation change. The Rancho La Polka loop will add an additional 1.7 miles. This route is about a 1.0 mile round-trip from the parking lot. It has some elevation drop as you approach the pond, but is not steep. Trail Conditions/Mileage: The out-and-back hike to Roop Pond is along a park maintenance road. Route Overview: Starting from the Mendoza Ranch Entrance, take the Mendoza Trail, left on Roop Pond Trail to pond, return on Roop Pond Trail, left on Mendoza Ranch Trail, left onto Rancho La Polka Trail (a loop), right onto Mendoza Trail, back to parking lot. There are two benches at Roop Pond and picnic tables at the mid-way point of Rancho La Polka trail.

#COYOTE LAKE PORTABLE#

to sunsetįacilities: The Mendoza Ranch parking area has an ADA portable toilet. Park Hours: The park is open year-round for general day use from 8 a.m. See the park website for more information. Day-use parking fees apply at Coyote Lake Entrance parking lots. Latitude/Longitude: 37.070541, -121.522468įees: There are no fees for the Mendoza Ranch Entrance parking lot. Turn left at the Mendoza Ranch Coyote Lake County Park sign. In 1.9 miles, turn left at the T-intersection and continue on Roop Rd for 0.9 miles. Travel 1.6 miles then turn left onto Roop Rd. Turn right onto Center Ave, travel 0.4 miles, then turn left onto Rucker Ave. Travel east for approximately 1 mile towards the foothills. This time of year, look for American Kestrel, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-billed Magpie, and perhaps sporadic groups of Lark Sparrows.ĭirections: From US-101 in Gilroy, exit Masten Ave. This is likely good Grasshopper Sparrow habitat if you venture back in the spring and summer. The western side (valley side) of the trail is very exposed with few trees and expansive grassy hillsides, but excellent valley views. The table has an excellent expansive valley view. There is a picnic table at the midway point making a nice resting point. The loop has about 200’ elevation change, and is also grazed by cattle, so there can be pot marks from the cattle hooves after rain making for unstable footing. You’ll take a short stub trail about 0.1 miles before you reach the main 1.0 mile loop trail. This is an excellent spot to listen for California Quail and watch for Ruby-crowned Kinglets.Īfter you’ve walked the 0.3 mile section of Mendoza Trail, you’ll reach the junction of Rancho La Polka Trail (#3 on map). After a brief open area, you’ll enter an oak grove. At the junction, take a left onto Mendoza Trail and stay on it for 0.3 miles. Head back the way you came, back to the initial trail junction (#1 on map). By autumn the majority of the swallows will have departed on their annual migration south, but it is still worth checking for an overwintering swallow. Groups of Steller’s Jays enjoy hanging out in the nearby trees. You’ll probably hear a racket from nearby Killdeer, as well. I’ve seen Lark Sparrows on this stretch as well, but they are more sporadic.Īt the pond (#2 on map), you’ll find a reliable selection of Mallards, American Coots, and Pied-billed Grebes, but may occasionally see other dabbling ducks or even a Belted Kingfisher.

You may have seen the pond on your drive as you approached the park.Īs you walk towards the pond, you’ll have a good chance in spotting Western Bluebirds, Acorn Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and California Scrub Jays. This trail doubles as a service road for park staff, and slopes downward towards the pond. At the first trail junction (#1 on Interactive Map) head left through the gate on the 0.4 mile (0.8 miles round-trip) out-and-back trail to Roop Pond.

Coyote lake