Coyote Calls

Ahhh, that new open space smell! Saved from corporate development and stretching from Morgan Hill to south San Jose, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve opened just a few weeks ago—shining with new redwood bridges, picnic areas, wildlife, wildflowers, and a terrific hiking and mountain biking trail with sweeping ridge-top views. The gently sloping 4-mile Arrowhead Loop Trail is a dream come true for nature lovers. It leads to the preserve’s high point on a ridge, with a brilliant vista up and down Coyote Valley. Mount Hamilton and Mount Umunhum loom prominently in the background. Bring binoculars. You're likely to see orioles, magpies, western bluebirds, and even golden eagles if you're lucky. Other winged creatures include bay checkerspot butterflies, drawn to the California plantain herb that grows in the preserve. Native wildflowers like poppies, Ithuriel’s spear, lupines, and fiddlenecks flourish here, as do grasses like wild barley, wild oats, and purple needlegrass. The trail has exposed parts, but the variety of oak trees (blue, white, black, and leather) provide some shaded spots. Bring a picnic and stay awhile. Coyote Valley is good as new!

The Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve parking area is at 550 Palm Ave. in Morgan Hill. Take Hwy. 101 to Bailey Ave. and go west. Go to the second light and turn left onto Santa Teresa. Take the third right, onto Palm Ave. At the end of the road there's a gate, and beyond that is the parking area. No dogs.