Dutch Flat and Dairy Trails is a 5.7 mile loop trail located near Mount Hamilton, California that features beautiful wild flowers. The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking, walking, and running. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
A great loop hike for wildlife and wildflower scouting at the park in the hills east of San Jose. This hike gives a nice overview of Joseph D. Grant County Park, passing through its distinctive oak-woodland ecosystem but sparing you from the brutal ascents and descents that characterize so many of the hikes in this park. Grant County Park (often called "Grant Ranch" because the land was once owned by prominent ranchers of the same name) does not have the waterfalls or rock formations that popularize many parks in the Bay Area, but it was vast swaths of open, wild terrain. The wildness manifests itself in a wonderful wildflower bloom every spring along with a wide range of animals you'll rarely see outside a zoo: coyotes, turkeys, bobcats, tarantulas and the occasional rattlesnake or mountain lion. Scan the skies for raptors (red-tailed hawks are common; golden eagles fly by, too) and watch for old dead trees where acorn woodpeckers have stowed future meals. Trails on this hike: Dutch Flat Trail > Dairy Trail > Brush Trail > San Felipe Trail. This is also a nice kid-friendly day hike if you're camping at the park. Spring is naturally the best time to go, followed by fall and winter. Summer's just too hot to enjoy a hike here.
Joseph D. Grant County Park website http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/parksarticle?path=%252Fv7%252FParks%20and%20Recreation%252
Note this hike starts out from the paid-parking area of the park. Take a minute to read the wildlife warnings -- I've seen a rattlesnake and friends almost bumped into a mountain lion. These animals are very shy around humans and almost never cause any problems, but you need to know what to do just in case. Wear sunscreen and take enough water and snacks to keep hydrated and energized. Fill your water bottle at drinking fountains near the restrooms. Contact: (408) 274-6121 Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset Fees: $6 per vehicle. Dogs: Allowed (leashed) Driving directions: From Highway 101 or Highway 680, take the Alum Rock Avenue exit eastbound in San Jose. Turn right onto Mount Hamilton Road and drive eight miles to the park entrance.
Good weather, nice and sunny with a breeze. Saw some deer on the trail & there was an okay amount of traffic on the trail
5 stars due to views, squats of colorful flowers and their smell, easy for families with kids, very well mainteined, plenty of parking, social distance easy achievement. Don't think I'll do it on during summer, because of luck of shadowed areas, but probably will try the camp site.
Beautiful day for a hike. Sunny and partial clouds with a slight breeze making it perfect. I went clockwise, being pretty exposed for most of the hike. So many pretty flowers, very peaceful. I hiked during covid-19 and the Parking was free, but no bathrooms open. It’s a county park, so luckily it’s open with wide trails to pass people on. It wasn’t too crowded. Loved this hike!
Great trail with all kinds of options to make hike longer or shorter. We got a little turned around but it worked out perfectly as we finished just before the rain hit. Had our small pup on leash with us and the trails were muddy at parts, mostly on our in open pasture area. Also got to see cows in that area so watch out for cow patties . Can’t wait to come back again and explore!
Very nice hike since everything was really green from the recent rains! It was very muddy at parts. I got to see some wild turkeys as well.
beautiful today was an overcast winter day. Nice cause this is pretty exposed. We saw no one on the trail. We did see either a bobcat or mountain lion, not sure, too far away and too quick. We saw baby wild boar. We saw lots of wild turkeys. I think this trail would be easier if traveled in the reverse (clockwise) direction, then the uphill would be more gradual.