Coit Lake Bicycle Tour

As I left home, I could see swirling mist over Los Gatos Creek. The temperature was around freezing, and a touch of frost ornamented many rooftops.

I headed south out of town along the Monterey highway, and then climbed Dunn Avenue from Morgan Hill towards Henry Coe State Park. Along the way, I saw several deer, and got excellent views of Anderson Lake.

When I reached Henry Coe State Park I stopped at the ranger station to register as a "backpacker" and purchase an updated map. I then headed south through the open oak forest along Manzanita Point road.

I descended to poverty flat, where I encountered the first of several bridgeless stream crossings. I stopped to take off my shoes and socks, and waded across barefoot.

Along the way, I saw several trees which Acorn Woodpeckers were using to store acorns, as well as numerous bobcat footprints. Most wildflowers had not yet started blooming. The major exceptions were shooting star and manzanita.

Around 4:00, I reached the Coit Lake inlet. A backpacker was camped there, so I continued to the dam, where I set up camp for the night.

Pacific tree frogs, California Newts, American Coots, and other ducks live in Coit Lake. I made a brief recording of the call of the frogs .

Sunday February 8: from Coit Lake home to San José

I woke up at dawn, and was treated to a chorus of squawking coots and a colorful moonset. During the night, frost had formed on my panniers and rain fly as well as much of the grass.

I heated some granola, filtered water, and struck camp as the sun warmed the air, and was soon on my way.

I crossed a ridge to Kelly Lake, and then followed a dirt road up from there. Along the way I saw several western bluebirds which had switched from winter plumage to their brighter spring colors. The more sheltered meadows were filled with shooting star.

Small mountain streams are everywhere inside Henry Coe State Park at this time of year. On dry days, you can step across, but when it rains they turn into deep and raging torrents. Descending, I soon exited the park.

Fruit and nut trees are common around Gilroy and Morgan Hill. In addition to fields of garlic and peppers, people have planted apricots, almonds, and cherries. I stopped briefly in Morgan Hill to buy lunch, and then continued northward home to San José.