Let’s explore the chaparral and oak woodlands of this large and rugged county park that was once the site of the quicksilver mining industry. We’ll bird the Senador Mine Trail up to the furnace remnants, then return via New Almaden and Mine Hill Trails. Expect to spot year-round residents such as California Quail, Spotted and California Towhees, and California Thrashers as well as wintering Yellow-rumped Warblers, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. 

Trip Difficulty: 2 miles, uneven trails, 300 ft elevation gain

Meet: park entrance at the intersection of McAbee Rd and Whispering Pines Dr in San Jose

Eve Meier, (408) 569-9391, Ginger Langdon-Lassagne and Dani Christensen

Google Plus Code: “6479+WC San Jose, California” (paste code, city, and state into Google maps)

Directions: From CA-85, exit Camden Ave. Drive south on Camden Ave for about 3.5 miles then turn right onto McAbee Rd. Continue on McAbee for half a mile. Park entrance is on your right at the intersection of McAbee Rd and Whispering Pines Dr. Street parking.

Facilities: porta potty a little bit up the trail

Parking Fees: no

This trip is organized by the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (scvas.org). Please read our trip policies. Questions? Contact the trip leader or email scvasfieldtrips@gmail.com.