Yerba Buena to Halls Valley Trail Loop is a 6.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Mount Hamilton, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
One of the best hikes in the county park in the hills east of San Jose, California It starts at Halls Valley Lake and climbs steeply into the nearby hills along the Yerba Buena Trail (with a highly recommended side trip to McCreery Lake). It turns at the Canada De Pala Trail and returns on the Halls Valley Trail. Along the way you'll see sweeping vistas of the nearby Diablo Range along with the observatories atop Mount Hamilton, the highest peak in the South Bay. Wildlife sightings are common: hikers have spotted coyotes, turkeys, bobcats, feral pigs, tarantulas and even the occasional mountain lion. In springtime, this is one of the best wildflower locales in the Bay Area. Summer's too hot but winter's great (if muddy) and fall is interesting when the tarantulas come out. The park sits on lands once owned by a prominent ranching family (hence the informal title "Grant Ranch"). The hiking can be arduous -- many of the rails were built for people on horses rather than on foot -- but what you can see along the way makes it worth every arduous step.
Joseph D. Grant County Park website http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/parksarticle?path=%252Fv7%252FParks%20and%20Recreation%252
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 (there's almost no shade here). Take plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized. This hike can take it out of you. Contact: (408) 274-6121 Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset Fees: Free at Halls Valley Lake; $6 per vehicle inside the main section of the park. 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 -- go past the first sign for the park and park in the lot of the left side of the road, next to the large lake.
January 16, 2021
January 16, 2021Lots of incline, but it was worth it! Definitely a hike for a cooler day, as shade is limited.
January 10, 2021January 10, 2021January 1, 2021Beautiful views with wide open trails. Perfect for a hike with your dog or trail running.
January 1, 2021December 31, 2020great intrevals and scenic. Started to the right which gave you more uphill and increased heart rate for cardio workout. people go early so might be hard to get a spot so choose your time wisely. figure it takes them about 2.5 hours to loop. good for intreval running to train your breathing. lots of other trails to go off too.
December 5, 2020Lots of ups and downs. Very steep. Trail patrol is out there for your safety. It was getting late so I had to turn back. Will get here earlier next time.
November 30, 2020November 29, 2020November 28, 2020Nice hike to do with pups!
July 27, 2020Great fun trail, counter clockwise is the way to go.
June 13, 2020No cows...
May 31, 2020Nice trail. Wide paths for most part. Parking is limited by the entrance (only like 12-15 spaces.) We had to park over by the main park and walk over which added about an extra 1/2 mile. There is not a lot of shade, so take this trail on a cooler day or on an overcast day. There is a nice bench 1/2 way through the loop to rest and relax at. Doggie friendly too.
April 10, 2020April 4, 2020It is good workout, a lot of up and a lot of down I love this trail a lot Breathtaking view. Will come back soon
March 1, 2020February 17, 2020This trail was good until you pass by cows they were very mean and charge at you. I was supper scared because they are large cows and they were not slow either I do not recommend this trail unless you have a dog with you to heard them cows away from you
August 5, 2019This was a really good trail. I started out in the morning around 9am. It was warm day. Make sure to take plenty of water. In the beginning is mostly climbing up. But wants you get to the top the views are amazing. Lick observatory is visible when reach the top Yerba buena trail. And the rest of the view is just amazing. The Dissent back is nice, some shade, is like you entered a completely different place, so the sights are enjoyable. You won’t be disappointed I’ll say that.
April 7, 2019January 26, 2019McCreary lake from trail head via Halls Valley Trail. Connect with Loop Trail, to reach Yerba Buena trail, and return via Yerba Buena (forms a loop, but short section missing from recording). Trail's path is not clear at McCreary Lake. We had to ford the creek/spillway to get to the west side of the lake and join Loop Trail. Parking at trail head is limited. Additional parking at Joseph D Grant Park. Access to trail head from park parking lot via hotel trail.
May 23, 2018
First to ReviewThis looked like a nice day hike, so I attempted it in the CCW direction. The Yerba Buena Trail narrows down to single track, and I found myself dodging poison oak growing out over the trail. It soon became so thick that I gave up and turned around. I then went up the north side of the loop (Halls Valley Trail), which is a nice wide road/trail. The views were fantastic in April, with green hills and oaks, and a peek through the other side of the basin to Silicon Valley at the top. I came down the Los Huecos Trail, which was wide but very steep. TLDR: Halls Valley Trail is great. Yerba Buana Trail is overgrown with poison oak and impassable. Los Huecos Trail is very steep.
January 17, 2021January 16, 2021January 16, 2021January 16, 2021
