Touring * Fitness * Artistic *

At the southeastern end of San Jose on U.S. 101, take the Bernal Road/Silicon Valley Boulevard exit. Turn left at the bottom of the off-ramp and drive half a mile east to where Silicon Valley Boulevard meets Coyote Creek. Turn left again at Eden Park Plaza and park on the shoulder nearest the trees by the creek. The trail crosses Silicon Valley Boulevard on the west side of the creek.

Map: The Coyote Hellyer County Park map is available at the park ranger station or from the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department (see below).

One of the greatest charms of the Coyote Creek Parkway is that you're likely to see more wildlife than people, especially in the cooler early morning hours. The banks of the creek attract wood ducks, egrets, and great blue herons. Another plus is that there are only three very minor intersections on the nearly eight-mile route described here. Like so many other inland trails in California, the Coyote Creek Parkway is at its prettiest when the rains of winter have turned the surrounding fields and hills a fresh green. But even in the summertime, the acres of dry grasses bordering this countryside tour are sprinkled with yellow mustard blossoms and the occasional California Golden Poppy. Water-seeking big leaf maples, cottonwoods, sycamores, and willow trees mark the path of the creek after the trail leaves its side.

Start skating south on the eight-foot-wide asphalt trail next to the trees hiding Coyote Creek. The pavement is smooth, but for the first mile and a half, be on the alert for a few raised cracks, especially the pair lurking in the shade just before you pass under the first freeway ramp. After the upscale neighborhood begins on your right, the trail meets Metcalf Park, which has a playground, picnic tables, and the necessary plumbing, if not shade. This is your last chance for water, so if you plan to make the full 15.5-mile round-trip, top off your water bottle before continuing.

Now the newest pavement begins, and from here south, it remains smooth and in excellent repair. South of the park, the path continues away from the housing development and past a gravel pad where alternate trail access parking is available. Two-tenths of a mile farther, keep your speed up to more easily cross the iron-framed bridge with its loose wood slats.

Cross Metcalf Road (very light traffic) and pass the PG&E substation on the left. The willows are close to the trail here, and you can hear Monterey Road behind them, but traffic noise becomes less noticeable the further south you go. After another mile and a half near the creek, the trail seems to end at Coyote Ranch Road. Turn left and skate a block east on the low-traffic street to get to the south leg of Coyote Ranch Road, to your right. Step around the gate if necessary and skate on the smoothly paved road for another block. The trail resumes where the road crosses the culvert next to the Schutzhund Dog Club. A series of fun curves takes you on a lively swoop down to cross the dry creek bed and back up a low hill. A straighter swoop back across the creek is repeated half a mile away after you pass behind the farm with old equipment rusting near the trail. (During wet winters, this trail is closed when the crossings are under water.)

The trail continues on good pavement, with a long stretch that's great for practicing your speedskating strokes. Pass through sunny fields without worrying about pedestrians, who rarely stroll out here, though you'll see cyclists and other skaters. Go by the Riverside Golf Course on the left and soon you'll come upon shady Sycamore Rest Area, with its picnic tables and emergency call box. Around the next corner, the trail crosses Riverside Drive to continue south, passing not too near a few rural backyards and the creek. Another iron bridge takes you across Coyote Creek toward the broad fields next to the Ogier Quarry. Enjoy the fine asphalt as you skate around the edge of the quarry and climb a gradual hill to the Eucalyptus Rest Area (this hill is a real treat on the trip back). At press time, half a mile farther on, the paved path became gravel at the entrance road to the Model Aircraft Skyway Park. Park rangers say the remaining gravel stretch is supposed to be paved to meet with Anderson Lake County Park's trail, which would extend the parkway another two miles. Unfortunately, two years of unusually heavy rains have filled Anderson Dam, and the paving can't be completed until the flood gates can remain closed long enough for the trail to dry out. During the summer of 1995, a washed out bridge at Anderson Park prevented skaters from accessing this section from the south.

After returning to your starting point at Silicon Valley Boulevard, you can skate north for four more to Coyote Hellyer County Park. The pavement in this direction is older and quite hazardous because of the many raised cracks where tree roots have pushed up the asphalt into ridges across the trail.