Get Outdoors : Local Trails in South County
by Jordan Rosenfeld
While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us indoors in the early months of 2020 , it also propelled more people outside than ever before to explore and enjoy the many beautiful natural places to hike , bike and ride in South County .
As spring reveals herself with blooming flowers and greener hills , the great outdoors beckons to us to enjoy miles of trails in the exceptional beauty that California has to offer .
Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve https :// www . openspaceauthority . org / visitors / preserves / coyotevalley . html
Just off Hale Avenue in north Morgan Hill hides a gem of a spot . In June 2015 , The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority opened the 348-acre Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve , a multi-use trail system that allows hiking , biking and equestrian use , according to Andy Burnside , lead open space technician for the Santa Clara Open Space Authority . This mixture of trails gradually climbs from the valley floor through grassland into oak woodland ,
Burnside said .
“ The greatest thing about Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve is the accessibility to something so beautiful . It is a few minutes off of Highway 101 , and the flora and fauna are incredible here ,” Burnside said .
Visitors should make the effort to come for the brief wildflower bloom in early spring , Burnside said , and they will also be likely to see some of the abundant wildlife including deer , coyotes , mountain lions and cattle .
“ This is a hot spot for our birding community . The beautiful rolling grassland and mixed oak woodland provide a beautiful landscape for our local fauna to enjoy and thrive .”
Due to COVID-19 , the four-mile Arrowhead Loop trail is currently only one direction for safety , but there is also a one-mile flat portion they call “ Heart ’ s Delight .”
COVID safety protocols are in place . “ Our main priority is and always will be keeping our visitors safe during this pandemic ,” Burnside said .
Lisa Bjarke , an avid hiker and backpacker for years , has lived in Morgan Hill since 2002 , and appreciates the accessibility of the preserve , which she walks every Sunday with two friends , a tradition that started for them in 2013 .
“ It ’ s easy to get to , about five to seven mins from my house . It ’ s a nice loop , I prefer those . It ’ s a good medium or short distance , a little less than four miles , which you can do in a little over an hour . Not too difficult , nor too technical but you get some good elevation and good exercise .” On her last visit , she saw two coyotes that seemed entirely unthreatened by the presence of Bjarke and her friends .
“ We can all agree , there is no better way to remain healthy both physically and mentally than going for a hike ,” Burnside said .
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com