Almaden Quicksilver Park, Santa Clara County, California

 Waning Gibbous Moon

Almaden Quicksilver Park, near the small community of New Almaden in Santa Clara County, on Mutsun Ohlone ancestral lands south of today's San Jose, was once a booming center of mining for cinnabar, the red ore of mercury (aka quicksilver). The study of Earth Science tells us that through the slow grinding of tectonic plates and interaction with hot water beneath Earth's surface (hydrothermal alteration) serpentinite can gradually metamorphose into cinnabar. That's what happened here. After millions of years, this location contained one of the most productive (mineable) cinnabar sites in the world. Today, the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum is a terrific resource for both the history and geology of the region.

Casa Grande houses the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum

Mining of the ore was a vital industry from 1847 to about 1870 as the California Gold Rush boomed and mercury was used to extract gold from the ore mined in the Sierra Nevada. Major mining operations ceased in 1912, ending completely in 1976 as the toxic environmental consequences of mercury contamination became better understood. The fish in Guadalupe and Almaden Reservoirs to this day contain harmful amounts of methyl mercury. Catch and release only! 

In the county park, you can still see lots of evidence of excavation and equipment and former settlements, but access to mine entrances and tunnels is blocked for obvious reasons. There are 38 miles of hiking trails, including a stretch of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Yesterday, I hiked six of those miles and added Mine Hill (1,728 feet) and Church Hill (1,450 feet) to my Nifty Ninety scorecard. Horses and mountain bikes are also allowed on the park trails. I found the few bicyclists that I encountered to be courteous and safe, which I greatly appreciate. I saw absolutely zero litter or graffiti on this hike. Bravo!

A lot of the trails are exposed to the direct Sun, but there are occasional tree-lined segments.

A considerable effort has been made to educate and inform users of the park about the land's history and cultural importance. I found the rocks and the old, rusty remains of the furnaces and settlements most interesting. 

The best long view I found was from Church Hill, an easy walk up from the rest stop at English Camp.

The damage that the era of mining and development has done (and continues to do) to plants, animals, soil, and water at New Almaden is irrefutable. The effects on humans are probably greater than we let on. But the efforts at education and the creation and use of this park are positive outcomes. Maybe, just maybe, we are getting smarter and things are getting better.

Peace, Love, and Learning,

Jim