Sierra View
Trip highlights
• Less than one mile from park headquarters
• Camping in a large meadow
• Spectacular wildflowers in spring
• Gorgeous panoramic views of the park and the Santa Clara Valley
• Great for watching sunrise, sunset and for stargazing
• Optional hike to Henry W. Coe monument
Elevation - one way
Route
Start on Manzanita Point Road, past the gate and ranger’s residence. In 1/2 mile turn left onto Hobbs Road.
Climb a rather steep grade until you see a signpost on your right indicating the trail to Sierra View Camp. Take this trail, and shortly you will see a spring on your left - your source of water.
The trail contours a minor forested canyon, and finally opens up to a lovely meadow, with the campsite ahead on the right.
Hike to Coe monument
Once you have set up your camp, and still have time and energy, consider a short hike (0.4 miles, 200 feet elevation gain one way) to the Henry W. Coe monument at the high point of Pine Ridge.
Take the faint, little-used trail above the camp across the meadow and then left towards the road. Or retrace your steps back past the Sierra View Spring.
Either way, when at Hobbs Road, turn right and hike up the steep road for about 0.3 miles.
Near the high point you will see the monument on your right (the east side of
the road), in the deep shade, by tall ponderosa pines. There is a bench near the monument, facing east.
A few hundred feet farther along the road a trail on the right leads to a picnic table.
On a clear winter day, the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains can be seen from this high point. In spring, delightful oak violets are all around.
Camping at Sierra View
The camp is a spacious site with a picnic table, on the edge of a large meadow.
There in no outhouse at this location.
In springtime, the meadow above site is carpeted with wildflowers - owl’s clover, johnny-jump-ups, miniature lupines, oak violets, popcorn flowers.
The camp is sheltered from wind/sun from the west/north/south, and is open towards the east, with gorgeous views of Manzanita Point Road meandering over Arnold Field, Cordoza Ridge beyond it, and the distant Quien Sabe mountain range.
Water sources
As you turn off Hobbs Road on your way to the camp, in a couple hundred yards you will reach the Sierra View Spring under deep shade of coast live oaks.
The spring is a reliable source of water in all but the driest years.
Another water option is Monument Spring on Hobbs road, near the junction with the side trail leading to Sierra View campsite.