Swimming in Kelly Lake and Pacheco Falls in Henry W. Coe State Park

Yvonne Leow

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Last updated

August 1, 2024

Trip · 3-day backpacking trip

For · Friends and first-time backpackers

Vibe · Challenging and hard

Distance · 15 mile loop and 3,524 feet of elevation gain

Permits · Yep, pick up a permit at Hunting Hollow Entrance

Drive · 2 hours from SF

Ideal dates · April to May or September to October

Pets · Not allowed on trails

Henry W. Coe is the second largest state park in CA (after Anza-Borrego Desert State Park). It has about 87,000 acres of lofty ridges and 250 miles worth of trails. It's an expansive area that draws hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers, without the Yosemite-level crowds. Summers are sizzling with highs in the 100s, so plan to visit in the fall or spring. You'll have no trouble picking up a backpacking permit, unless it's Memorial Day weekend. Whether it's a two-night or week-long adventure, you'll find plenty of wilderness to explore at Henry Coe.

‍Official State Park Website‍

Check Trail Conditions

‍Directions to Trailhead

Main image credit: N/A

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

Bears don't live in Henry Coe so you won't need a bear canister. Be mindful of critters though and don't leave your food out!
Wildflower season is February to March
Water levels vary season by season. In the spring, you might encounter creek crossings, and in the summer, water sources may be dried up. Study your route and check spring water conditions before your trip. Park rangers recommend carrying 4 to 6 liters of water per person each day.
Download and print out this Hunting Hollow trail map and Coe Ranch Hiking Map
Practice Leave No Trace! That means properly poopin' in the backcountry and leaving the outdoors as you found it.

Check the weather

Reserving a permit

Henry Coe SP has three main entrances: Coe Ranch, Hunting Hollow, and Dowdy Ranch. You can only self-register or pick up a backpacking permit on the day of your trip from Coe Ranch or Hunting Hollow park entrances. Permits are first-come, first-serve (FCFS), but you won't have any trouble securing one outside of a spring holiday weekend, like Memorial Day. Parking spots are limited though so try to get to the trailhead as early as possible.

There are designated FCFS backcountry campsites in the western part of the park, but you can generally camp where ever you'd like. Some of these campsites have outhouses, but they're not always stocked with TP.

Permit fees are $5 per person a night and $8 parking fee per vehicle a night ($6 at Hunting Hollow Entrance). Bring exact change if the visitor centers are closed, otherwise, you can pay by credit card.

Learn more

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

Kelly Lake in Henry W. Coe State Park — Kelly Lake

Leave SF as early as you can

Last pit stop · 76 - 14660 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill

Park and register for a wilderness permit at Hunting Hollow Entrance

Pick up a backpacking permit for Kelly Lake
Power up on some snacks, layer on sunscreen, bug spray, and fill up your water bottles (at least 3 liters depending on the time of year)
Walk an easy, flat 3 miles along Coit Road to Anza Trailhead
It's a steady climb along Anza Trail to Jackson Road
After hiking along Jackson Trail, around the 5-mile mark at the junction of Jackson Trail and Elderberry Spring Trail is Elderberry Spring. It's a reliable water source for all but the driest years in CA. It'll be on your left on Elderberry Spring Trail, just a couple hundred yards away
From Jackson Road, hike to Wasno Road and then to Kelly Lake Trail

Arrive and set up camp at Kelly Lake

There's an open meadow on the north shore of Kelly Lake that makes for a great campsite
You'll be here for two nights so get comfy and settle in
After you've claimed your spot, cool off with dip in the lake

Chill and cook up dinner

You did it! Enjoy your first night in Henry W. Coe State Park!

Car to camp: 7.8 miles - 2,018 feet of elevation gain - 4 to 5 hours

In 1953, Sada Coe, the daughter of Henry Willard Coe, gave her family's cattle ranch to CA. It became the park we have today.

Day Two

Pacheco Falls in Henry W. Coe State Park — Pacheco Falls

Make brekkie, pack a lunch, and day hike to Pacheco Falls

Fill up on water, pack snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, swimsuit, and towel
Hike 4 miles with 735 feet of elevation gain from Kelly Lake to Pacheco Falls
From camp, take Coit Road to Coit Lake. There's a picnic table and restroom on the western side of the lake if you want to take a break
Return to Coit Road and hike towards Fish and Game Trail
Hike Fish and Game Trail to Live Oak Spring Trail until you reach Pacheco Falls Trail. Take the trail to Pacheco Falls!

Enjoy lunch and an afternoon swim at Pacheco Falls

The falls usually flow until late spring and can run dry during the summer. Watch out for poison oak near the falls!
Fill up your water bottles before heading back to camp

Hike back to Kelly Lake

It's a 4 mile hike with about 560 feet of elevation of gain back the same route from Pacheco Falls to camp. Refill your water bottles at Coit Lake.

Settle in and cook a sunset dinner

Savor your last evening at Henry Coe and spend the rest of the evening stargazing and swapping stories

Day hike: 8.2 miles - 1,759 feet of elevation gain - 4 to 5 hours

The Ohlone and the Northern Valley Yokuts were the area's earliest inhabitants. They were semi-nomadic tribes.

DAY THREE

Coit Lake in Henry W. Coe State Park — Coit Lake

Pack up and leave camp around 8 AM

Cook up brekkie, pick up any random pieces of litter around camp. Pack lunch to-go and snacks for the return trek.
Layer on sunscreen, bug spray, and fill up your water bottles!

Hike back to Hunting Hollow Entrance

From camp, take Kelly Lake Trail to Cattle Master Trail
Hike along Cattle Master Trail until you reach Wasno Road
Follow Wasno Road to Tule Pond Trail
From Tule Pond Trail, take Grizzly Gulch Trail. If you need to, refill your water bottles at Tule Pond, which you'll pass on Grizzly Gulch
From Grizzly Gulch, hike along Serpentine Trail to Steer Ridge Road
After 1.3 miles, you'll have two options: you can either take Steer Ridge Trail, a steeper, exposed trail back to Hunting Hollow OR take Jim Donnelly Trail off of Steer Ridge Trail for a less intense, but longer trail back to the car. Jim Donnelly adds about two miles to the route.