Overview:
Mount Madonna County Park is one of the most popular camping destinations in Santa Clara County, and this route is one of the best ways to see all the park has to offer.
Sprig Lake trail passes all three of the park's major campgrounds, and makes a scenic ascent (or descent) through one of the prettiest stands of redwoods in the park.
Another section of this route passes a pen of captive white fallow deer, then continues through the ruins of the summer house of Henry Miller, a Gold Rush-era land baron whose properties stretched from the Bay Area to Mexico.
The last link is the popular Merry-Go-Round Trail connecting to the Sprig Lake Recreation Area (the lake is long gone, but the trails remain.)
Trails on this route:
Spring Lake Trail > Bay View Trail > Blue Springs Trail > Meadow Trail > Upper/Lower Miller Trails > Tan Oak Trail > Loop Trail > Merry-Go-Round Trail.
To lop off a couple miles, skip the Tan Oak Trail (which goes to the Tan Oak Campground) and take the Loop Trail to Merry-Go-Round Trail.
Best times to go: Spring, fall and winter will be fine; summer might be a bit too warm in the open sections along the Merry-Go-Round Trail but it should be cool in the summertime in the redwoods, particularly in the morning.
Tips:
Bring plenty of snacks and water if you plan to hike the entire route: There's plenty of climbing along the way.
Dress in layers for wide temperature variations along the way.
Contact: (408) 842-2341
Park hours: 8 a.m. to sunset.
Parking: $6 inside park; free at Sprig Lake area off Hecker Pass Highway.
Driving directions: Take Highway 101 to Highway 152 West exit; go west for 10 miles to park entrance at Pole Line Road. Sprig Lake area is about 9 miles from Highway 101.
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