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| The Backcountry Weekend at Coe Park |
| April 24-26, 2009 |
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It’s that time again! For one spectacular weekend this spring, Henry W. Coe State Park will again open the gate at Bell's Station on Highway 152 east of Gilroy. The Coe Backcountry Weekend, held in the little-traveled east side of the 87,000 acre park is scheduled for April 24-26, 2009. This event, sponsored by the Pine Ridge Association and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, allows visitors vehicle access to a remote and beautiful area. Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians have a unique opportunity to see and enjoy an area isolated from the park's Morgan Hill entrance by long distances and rugged terrain. The east side of the park has beautiful spring wildflowers, great fishing, and scenic trails, some with breathtaking panoramic views of the Diablo Range. The ridges and valleys are broader and easier to travel than the steep terrain in the western part of the park, and you can plan day trips to areas that normally require several days of strenuous backpacking, places like Mississippi Lake and the Orestimba Wilderness. During the weekend, you can explore on your own or you can participate in group activities, such as guided hikes and horseback rides, wildflowers walks, and bird watching strolls. To help you make the most of your visit, we'll provide brochures, park maps, and all sorts of information at visitor booths near the Pacheco Creek crossing, County Line Road, and the Orestimba Corral. The fees for entering the park on this special weekend are:
There is no limitation on the number of people in a vehicle. Carpooling is encouraged. Entrance is by application only, since we limit the number of cars each day. NEW THIS YEAR BY POPULAR REQUEST! Two night camping option: We are opening up this option to everyone, not just backpackers. If you are selected for this option, you will be allowed to enter between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. (gates will close promptly) on Friday afternoon. Registration will be at the Bell’s Station entrance gate. Backpackers and car campers may park anywhere along the Kaiser-Aetna Road between Center Flats Road and County Line Road. Due to ecological concerns and past creek bed damage, only vehicles with high clearance (8” or higher) will be allowed in to the Orestimba Corral area. Standard passenger vehicles will be parked along County Line Road. The gate will open for all others at 7:30 am on Saturday and Sunday. As always, everyone must be on their way out by 5 pm on Saturday or 5 pm on Sunday. Everyone camping overnight Saturday at the Orestimba Corral will be required to park on Kaiser Aetna Road unless their vehicle meets the 8" clearance requirement. SHUTTLES WILL BE AVAILABLE AGAIN IN 2009! Visitors can take advantage of the free shuttle service along Kaiser-Aetna Road to the Orestimba Corral. Shuttles will be able to help transport camping gear.
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| Commemorative T-Shirt Photos Selected | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Each year, a contest is held to select a photo for the commemorative Backcountry Weekend T-shirt. This year, the theme is “My Favorite Place in Coe Park”. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| More Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If you have general questions about the Backcountry Weekend, send them to: coebackcountry@verizon.net. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The deadline for submitting an application for the Backcountry Weekend has come and gone, and people have been notified whether or not their application was drawn. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Rules and Guidelines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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