Bicycle camping in the backcountry of Henry Coe State Park in early September can be a hot, desert-like experience—brutal, but beautiful. It hasn't rained here in four months.
The thermometer rose above 100 degrees F several days in a row during this one-week trip and I didn't see another person for six days.
The trip started at Henry Coe's Hunting Hollow entrance. I camped three nights at Paradise Lake, three nights at Pacheco Camp and the final night at China Hole, before the ride back home to downtown San José. Two days were used for day hikes.
Though I commute to work by bicycle, I've hardly done any longer bike rides since my last Mojave National Preserve trip four months ago, so I could be in better shape. No worry, this adventure will whip me into shape soon enough...
Day 1: Hunting Hollow to Pacheco Camp, Henry Coe State Park
26 photos
Day 2: Central Henry Coe day hike from Pacheco Camp, including Willow Ridge Road, Walsh Trail and Pacheco Ridge Road
54 photos
Day 3: Pacheco Camp to Paradise Lake by bicycle, Henry Coe State Park
34 photos
Day 4: Hike from Paradise Lake up Rooster Comb Trail and Orestimba Creek Road to Robison Creek and back
44 photos
Day 5: Mountain-bike ride up Red Creek Road to Upper San Antonio Valley and back from Paradise Lake
46 photos
Day 6: Bicycle ride from Paradise Lake back to Pacheco Camp, the beginning of my route out of Henry Coe State Park
32 photos
Day 7: Pacheco Camp to China Hole by bicycle, Henry Coe State Park
42 photos
Day 8: China Hole, Henry Coe State Park, to home in downtown San José by bicycle, via Coyote Creek Trail
21 photos