Topo and GPS tracks for this Easter morning clockwise loop from the Henry Coe Hunting Hollow trailhead. Been a half decade since I had last visited this trailhead, though I had been to the nearby Coyote Creek entrance recently. I had previously done the Steel Ridge portion in the opposite direction here.

Got to the park a little before dawn after stopping at the Gilroy Dennys for breakfast. Took a brief nap in the car while waiting for the sun to rise. A nice brisk 36 degrees this morning.

Heading out shortly before sunrise.

There are several early creek crossings if you follow the Hunting Hollow Canyon. I just had to navigate this one before heading left up the Steer Ridge Trail. (past the fence on the other side of the creek)

All of the trails north out of Hunting Hollow canyon are almost comically steep and this one was no exception. It took all of a minute or two before I was winded.

The first rays of sun and a couple quail on the trail.

The sun crested the ridgetop about the same time I did. This warmed things up considerably but meant I was walking into the sun.

Early sun along the grassy hilltops of the Steer Ridge.

Lots of flowers in the park now. The poppies were curled up for the night but would be opening as the day wore on.