Almaden quicksilver4/17/2023 ![]() ![]() It then ends at the Hacienda entrance to Quicksilver Park. As Californias gold rush exploded in the mid 1800s, so did the need for quicksilver to process the gold. The park's elevation varies greatly: the most used entrances (on the east side of the park) are less than 600 feet (183 m) above sea level, while the highest point in the. Mine Hill Trail continues to descend gradually as it winds through wooded terrain for another 1.1 miles. Almaden Quicksilver County Park is a 4,163 acres (17 km) park that includes the grounds of former mercury ('quicksilver') mines adjacent to south San Jose, California, USA. Randol Trail east end to Hacienda Quicksilver Park entrance: 9 mile April Trail loop takes one to the site of April Tunnel and ruins of its mine car trestle, and to the restored Powder House where the blasting powder to build mine tunnels, shafts, etc. Almaden Quicksilver County Park is located in south San Jose, in the town of New Almaden. The San Cristobal Mine tunnel is the only tunnel in Quicksilver Park that has not been closed up. ![]() 1 mile spur trail leads to the old tunnel entrance to San Cristobal Mine. This 1.6 mile section gradually descends past several historic mining sites that can be reached by short side trips. Mercury from the long-closed New Almaden Quicksilver Mine in the hills above San Jose has flowed for decades through the local watershed and into the bay, making fish unsafe to eat and. The terrain becomes more heavily wooded after the (first) Castillero Trail junction. Just before the Castillero Trail, there is a short spur trail to the ruins of Catherine Tunnel, one of the old mining tunnels.Ĭastillero Trail to Randol Trail east end: Depending on what side of the ridge the trail is on, views of the developed South Bay Area and East Bay hills, or views of the undeveloped, rugged Santa Cruz Mountains can be seen. It is a continuous gradual climb with some wooded, but mostly open sections. This 2.2 mile section basically follows a ridge line. Almaden Quicksilver Park is a county park, 16 miles south of San Jose in the Capitancillos Range of the Coastal Mountains. Randol Trail west end to Castillero Trail: The trail then flattens out for a short stretch before it begins gradually climbing to its junction with the Randol Trail. Views of the San Francisco South Bay Area and East Bay hills emerge. The trees thin as it climbs, and the vegetation becomes a mix of grass and trees. This Center is located along Almaden Expressway and Via Valiente/Rajkovich. Almaden Via Valiente Plaza is a 95,000 qquare foot Neighborhood Shopping Center servicing Almaden Valley, Old Almaden and New Almaden areas. This 2.0 mile section of Mine Hill Trail begins with a gradual uphill hike for about 1.5 miles. Limited competition in the immediate trade area. McAbee Quicksilver Park entrance to Randol Trail west end: This trail also connects many historical sites in the eastern area of Quicksilver Park. One can imagine the ore was transported on this old mining road/trail (although I have not found an explicit reference on this). Before, the mercury ore processing furnace was built at Senador Mine at the west end of this trail, the Senador Mine ore was taken to the Hacienda processing furnace at the east end of this trail. Quicksilver Park contained some of the world's most productive mercury mines and processing furnaces in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It traverses Quicksilver Park from the McAbee entrance to the Hacienda entrance. Just remember, if you are fishing, don't eat the fish! Mercury was mined here and has accumulated in water ways, making the fish unsafe for consumption.The Mine Hill Trail was an old mining road. Eleven maps of the New Almanden quicksilver mine area, California (1952) Download citation as: RIS Dublin Core Abstract The New Almaden district, situated a few miles south of San Jose in Santa Clara County, Calif., has yielded nearly 40 percent of the quicksilver produced in the United States. Check out the local government page above to learn more about safety and best practices while using the local park. Remember to bring sunscreen, water, and prepare accordingly. This park is great and open to anyone who wants to hike, walk, run, experience nature, and possibly see some native wildlife. Remnants of the mining era also offer an exciting look into the mining operations of the latter part of the 19th century. During early spring, the park offers one of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the region. ![]() The park encompasses 4,152 acres, occupying a majority of Capitancillos Ridge. The park is the site of over 135 years of mining activities and former home to more than 1,800 miners and their families. 339 NEW ALMADEN QUICKSILVER MINE - The Indians used pigment from this cinnabar hill for paint. What do you know about Almaden Quicksilver County Park?Īlmaden Quicksilver County Park, spectacular in natural diversity and a landmark of California history. ![]()
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