Henry Coe State Park - Frog Lake

 Waning Gibbous Moon

Henry W. Coe State Park covers about 87,000 acres, making it the biggest state park in northern California. In 1953, Sada Coe Robinson, daughter of Henry and Rhoda Coe, donated the Pine Ranch property to the state to form the core of the park. It is still largely undeveloped, but access to the trails is pretty well maintained. Opportunities for hikers, backpackers, equestrians, and bicyclists to explore trails and old ranch roads are many. Most of these pathways are very challenging, leading up and down the many ridges and hills that dominate the mostly dry, very peaceful landscape. 

"May these quiet hills bring peace to the souls of those who are seeking." Sada Coe Robinson

I have found this park and its trails to be an ideal training ground for hikes in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range. It takes several trips to bring me up to speed, though. Yesterday's little adventure was my third one in Henry Coe this year, meaning I am still in the beginning stages of getting in mountain shape. My goal was a 6-mile hike in the general direction of Mt. Sizer, where I hope to overnight sometime this Spring. After a quick, awkward chat with the friendly ranger at park headquarters (he, too, is deaf in his left ear), I decided on an out and back hike to Frog Lake from headquarters, using the Corral Trail, the Flat Frog Trail, and the Frog Lake Trail. It was not the shortest or most direct route to the lake, but it turned out to be an outstanding experience. The weather was perfect and the trail was not at all Henry-Coe brutal. It was relatively flat, in fact, a fast single track with a lot of shady oaks and madrones. I only saw two other people and no bikes. I was able to stretch my legs and motor at a pretty good clip, stopping only to take pictures and soak in the scenery.

Frog Lake was a most pleasant surprise. Most of the lakes and ponds that I have visited in the park have been pretty awful - stagnant cow and pig wallows. This one was quite beautiful, a perfect place to sit and munch and watch the cool breeze alter the reflections on the lake's surface. It was kind of intoxicating, really. None of my Smartyphone photos truly do my Frog Lake lunch stop justice, except maybe the last one.

The way back was just as fun as the first half. I was pleasantly tired without feeling beat up, so chalk up Wednesday as another good day on the trail. The rest of the way to Mt. Sizer will be much harder, but this route will be part of my approach no matter what. 

I was drawn to this unusual outcrop just off the Flat Frog Trail - echoes of ancient ceremonies?

Peace, Love, and Thank You, Sada,

Jim

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