Almaden Quicksilver

A late afternoon ride through old mercury mines

The red earth once found in these hills was first used by the Ohlone Indians as a source of pigment, however was recognized by Mexican explorers as a source Mercury Ore. Their claim, however, was made just before California's adoption as a state, and from 1846 through 1970 was mined extensively by American Companies throughout the southern portions of the ridge. Here ore was delivered by railcar down to the furnaces in Los Alamitos Valley where Mexican and English communities thrived until the rich veins depleted, and became ghost towns after 1912. Occasional operations resumed until 1972 when the toxicity of mercury was recognized and it's value plummeted. Within 3 years it was acquired by Santa Clara County and opened for public recreation. Biking is limited to a single loop here, but it does pass very close to many of the last remnants of the mines and offered pleasant views of the east side of the Santa Cruz range, Silicon Valley, and Guadalupe reservior.


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After climbing up Mine Hill Road and turning onto Randall Road, we caught our first glimpse of the cities of the South Bay to the north. Randol Road is remarkably flat, following the 1000 foot contour along the eastern side of the ridge.

The oak leaves have just opened in the last couple of weeks, creating a uniquely green effect along the hillsides. The sun is starting to get low. Better move quickly to the other side of the ridge where there should be some light left.

Here we are at the end of Randol Road, overlooking Guadalupe Reservoir.

Another 600 grind up the northeast part of Mine Hill Road toward the peak of the trail at Bull Run.

It was already twilight upon reaching the San Cristobal shaft just beneath Bull Run. I don't know, looks kinda spooky in there. Eek! What's that?!? Proof of alien life or the headless Kenny? Wonder if the National Enquirer would be interested...

Another shot from inside the mine shaft using the flash. Nowhere near as interesting.

Here's a couple more pieces of mining history a little futher down the trail. The first is the Powder House where they stored the blasting powder, and after that is the Railway outside the April tunnel. Really wish I had a little sunlight left for that second shot.


The parking lot was just a speedy coast downhill from here, and for the first time in awhile it wasn't night by the time we got back-- just late dusk. Apparently these mines were some of the most lucrative in California, even during the gold rush, and "Almaden" (a common street name in San Jose) was a reference to the famous mines in Spain. (b. March 8, 2003)


Here's from when we went back a couple of years later, on April 17, 2005. Basically we did the loop in reverse, and went to a couple of places we didn't see the first time around. This is Hildago Cemetary. What you see is what you get. Worth doing if you have some extra time, and if not then don't sweat it. It looks like they removed any grave stones, but the cemetary trees and white picket fence are still there.

Here's a rather large ore processing ruins on the back side of Almaden, between Bull Run and Hildago Cemetary.

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