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Joseph D. Grant County Park (Grant Ranch)
Sunday, December 2, 2007
In December we head high up into the East Bay 'hills' for what is 'officially' the longest trail run on our schedule and the only one in the East bay in 2007. The open soaring terrain just begs to be run on and with expansive vistas of the Bay and Mount Hamilton, the miles go by quickly. The parks extensive trail system allows for alternate routes as well. We run at a wide variety of paces and you'll be sure to find others to keep pace with. Come join us on Sunday morning, December 2.
When Sunday December 2, 2007. Meet at 8:15am for an 8:30am start. Those who want to carpool meet at the Costco parking lot on Rengstorff Avenue in Mountain View near 101, leaving at 7:30am.
Where Joseph D. Grant County Park, 18405 Mt. Hamilton Rd., San Jose, CA 95140, in the east of Santa Clara Valley. Bring $6 per vehicle for park entrance fee. More park info.
How to get there Travel to the park by taking Highway 101 or Highway 680 to Alum Rock Avenue eastbound in San Jose. Turn right onto Mt. Hamilton Road and travel eight miles (up!) to reach the park entrance. PARC runners please meet at the parking lot inside the Park HQ, next to the historic house. Google Maps driving time estimate is 34 minutes.
What A long (about 13.6 miles, 1,400 feet vertical) and a 'short' run (about 6.9 miles, 800 feet vertical). This is a remote trail run and each runner must carry at least one water bottle. We suggest that runners form groups of equal running ability and stay with their group during the run so that everyone is accounted for in the end. As usual, there will be a potluck after the run, so please bring food or drink to share (chips, cookies, fruit drinks, bagels, nut mix, cheese, and such).
Why This is the largest Santa Clara County Park, of over 9522 acres with more than 40 miles of running trails. The park is situated in the east foothills of Santa Clara Valley with grasslands, majestic oak trees, lakes, well maintained trails, and incredible vistas that go on forever.
Trail Directions
A few of the trail names are different between the park service printed map and the online pdf map. These directions use the names on the online pdf map.
| Common Leg start: 4.1 miles |
| SEGMENT | MILES | TOTAL |
| San Felipe | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Thru gate continue on San Felipe | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Thru gate, L on Coral | 0.4 | 1.5 |
| Thru gate, R on Hotel | 0.5 | 2.0 |
| L on Canada de Pala | 1.6 | 3.6 |
Thru gates, cross road, another gate
Continue on Canada De Pala | 0.5 | 4.1 |
| see Short Run, Long Run, below | | |
| Short Run finish: 6.9 miles total |
| SEGMENT | MILES | TOTAL |
| L on Yerba Buena | 1.3 | 5.4 |
| R on Loop | 0.7 | 6.1 |
| R on Lake View | 0.3 | 6.4 |
| L around Lake clockwise (Yerba Buena trail?) | 0.1 | 6.5 |
| L on Yerba Buena | 0.1 | 6.6 |
R, cross road, thru gate
Continue on Hotel trail | 0.3 | 6.9 |
| Finish at the House | 0.0 | 6.9 |
| Long Run finish: 13.6 miles total |
| SEGMENT | MILES | TOTAL |
| Continue on Canada de Pala, one gate midway | 2.0 | 6.1 |
| R on Pala Seca | 1.3 | 7.4 |
| Up to Antler Point overlook and back (optional) | 0.4 | 7.8 |
| R on Canada de Pala | 2.8 | 10.6 |
| R on Halls Valley | 2.1 | 12.7 |
| Continue down towards lake | 0.2 | 12.9 |
| L around Lake clockwise (Yerba Buena trail?) | 0.3 | 13.2 |
| L on Yerba Buena | 0.1 | 13.3 |
R, cross road, thru gate
Continue on Hotel trail | 0.3 | 13.6 |
| Finish at the House | 0.0 | 13.6 |
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