New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association

Welcome to the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association web site supported by volunteers of the NAQCPA.

If you live in or near the Santa Clara Valley or Silicon Valley in Northern California or are planning a trip to the area, you may enjoy a visit to the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Come and see our beautiful park and learn about its wildlife, and many historic photographs, writings, relics and landmarks. For directions to New Almaden Quicksilver County Park, click here.

Important Announcement: The Casa Grande and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum will be closing for renovation, starting at the end of 2008. The closure is expected to last for a year. Volunteers are needed to help with packing the archives around October. Contact Kitty Monahan for more information.

News and special reports:

Powerpoint presentation (18 MB) created by Ron Horii, showing activities in all the Santa Clara County Parks.
Pictures from Mike Boulland's and Art Boudreault's book signing at the Casa Grande on 7/12/06.
You can vote to save the Casa Grande! See here for details.
See the pictures from Pioneer Day in Almaden Quicksilver's Spanishtown, Saturday October 14, 2006.
Self-running slideshows (Windows only):
Los Alamitos Creek/Guadalupe River Trail
Ron Horii's Outdoor Photography Gallery (includes Almaden Quicksilver)
Pictures from the Los Alamitos Creek Watershed Cleanup 5/19/07: Page 1: Preparation, Page 2: Cleanup 1, Page 3: Cleanup 2, Page 4: BBQ Lunch..
Pictures from New Almaden Coummunity Day 9/8/07: Jump-In Parade on Bertram Road, Jump-In Parade on Almaden Road, Dedication of Pat Tillman Memorial, and the BBQ and Games at the New Almaden Community Center.
Pictures from Pioneer Day, October 13, 2007, New Almaden Community Center, Santa Isabel Shafthouse Dedication.
The County Parks' Healthy Trails program includes 2 trail routes in Almaden Quicksilver.
NAQCPA has adopted 3 trails in Quicksilver Park: The Yellow Kid, the Great Eastern and Day Tunnel, and the Deep Gulch Trail. The trail group meets on the second Wednesday of the month and drives up to the trail for work from 9 am to 11:30 am. We need volunteers to help in the spring and summer. Contact Kitty Monahan to volunteer.
San Jose Mercury News Section, Where We Live, Almaden Valley.
Pictures of wildflowers and park views, Spring 2008:

Geocaching Class, Wood Road Trail, June 14, 2008

Upcoming events:

Van Tours of Almaden Quicksilver Park, given twice a month on Saturdays, 9 am to 1:30 pm. Journey back in time and learn the history of the park. Seating is limited to 19 for each tour. $5 fee per person. For further information, contact the museum at 408-323-1107.
Saturday, June 21, 10am-12noon. Hiking Essentials, Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Discover from a Park Ranger the 10 basic essentials you need to bring along for safe, successful hiking adventures in the great outdoors. Learn what to buy and where to get it and become prepared for unexpected encounters or emergencies. Meet at the Hacienda park entrance. Bring sun protection and water. Reservations required, call (408) 268-3883.
Sunday, June 22, 2008, 11:00am - 4:00pm: Festival in the Park- Where Wellness Meets FUN! Hellyer County Park A multitude of agencies and organizations will provide information and offer opportunities for interactive play, where the goal is to help families take charge of their health, learn how to eat nutritiously, make healthful life choices and get physically fit. FREE admission, information, health and recreation opportunities, food, entertainment and FUN!! (408) 355-2240.
Saturday, July 12, 2008, 10:00am-12:00pm. Living With Wildlife, Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Take a 2.5-mile hike with a Park Ranger to discover how to share our parklands with bobcats, mountain lions and coyotes. Learn how to identify their habits and habitats, and what to do if you encounter them along the trails. Meet at the Hacienda park entrance with sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection and water. (408) 268-3883
Saturday, July 19, 2008, 10:00am-4:00pm, “Tools of a Miner” Special Exhibit, New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Through special exhibits and demonstrations, explore the tools used in the dangerous underground jobs of hard-rock miners. Exhibitors from around California will share their collections and expertise. The museum is located at 21350 Almaden Road in San Jose. (408) 323-1107.
Saturday, September 13, 2008. New Almaden Community Day.
Sunday, September 28, 2008, 8:00 am: Quicksilver Challenge Half Marathon, 10K race, 5K kids' run, 5K walk, Almaden Runing Club, Hacienda Entrance.
Saturday, October 11, 2008, Pioneer Day, Almaden Quicksilver, Wood Road Trail.

Past events:

Saturday May 26, 2007: Play Like a Miner, Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 11am-2pm. Join museum staff for a fun-filled afternoon of activities and adventures that reflect the life and hard work of New Almaden’s historic mining community. Call (408) 323-1107 for more information.
Van Tours of Almaden Quicksilver Park: June 9, June 23, July 7, July 28, August 4, and Aug. 25, 2007. Reservations required, call 323-1107. Call for the ones in Sept. and Oct.
Saturday, July 14, 2007: “Tools of a Miner” Special Exhibit, New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 10am-4pm. Through special exhibits and demonstrations, explore the dangerous underground job of hard-rock miners. Exhibitors from around California will share their collections and expertise. Call (408) 323-1107 for more information.
Saturday, July 28, 2007: Hiking Essentials, Almaden Quicksilver County Park, 10am-12noon. Discover from a Park Ranger what you’ll need to bring along for safe, successful hiking adventures in the great outdoors. Be prepared for unexpected encounters or emergencies. You don’t need to carry everything but the kitchen sink, but you should know the 10 essentials. Meet at the Hacienda park entrance. Bring sun protection and water. Reservations required, call (408) 268-3883.
Saturday Sept. 8, 2007: New Almaden Day in New Almaden, parade, food games, music, dancing.
Saturday October 13, 2007: Pioneer Day: at the Santa Isabel Shaft House on the Santa Isabel Trail in Almaden Quicksilver Park.
Saturday, November 10, 2007: Yuletide Bazaar, New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 10am-4pm. Shop for the finest holiday gifts, arts, crafts, greenery and baked goods at New Almaden’s 3rd annual Yuletide Bazaar with a Victorian flair. Admission free, checks and cash only for purchases. Call (408) 323-1107 for directions and information.
Sunday, December 2, 2007: Cobweb Christmas, New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 1-2:30pm. Discover how tinsel came to be through a German Christmas tale. Make a tinsel spider web, meet some real spiders and eat Victorian-style Christmas treats. Appropriate for kids age 4-10 accompanied by an adult. Reservations required, call (408) 323-1107.
Saturday April 4, 2008, 2-4 pm: Dedication of the Almaden Historic Photos, Almaden Branch Library, 6445 Camden Ave. - Large Community Room, (408) 808-3040. Join us as we dedicate historic photos of New Almaden, a local history display, and collection of materials of local historical interest. Following the dedication, docents will be stationed throughout the facility to add additional interpretation and information regarding the history of New Almaden. Displays and interpretation made possible by the efforts of the Committee for Almaden Historical Awareness and the New Almaden Quicksilver Country Park Association.
Saturday, April 12, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Free Outdoor Photography Class & Wildflower Walk, Santa Teresa County Park Historic Bernal Ranch "Barn." Spring is wildflower time and a great time to grab your camera and go outside and take pictures! Docent Ron Horii will teach you about how to take inspiring outdoor pictures. The class will include 90 minutes of indoor instruction, an easy-going 30 minute walk around the Bernal Ranch, and a moderate 1 hour hike into the hills to view and photograph the magnificent wildflowers. Wear comfortable shoes; bring a hat, bottled water, and a camera (optional). To register call (408) 355-2255 or email kathleen.hooper@prk.sccgov.org. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, April 19th - Earth Day, Almaden Quicksilver Park, New Almaden Trail. Time: 8:30am to 3:00pm. Location: Meet at Castillero Middle School on the corner of Leyland Park and McAbee in San Jose. Volunteers will be shuttled from there to park border and hike into work site. Details: Come out and help obliterate an old section of the New Almaden Trail and re-route it. Please wear long pants and sleeves, sturdy shoes (no open toes!), bring a lunch, we will provide water, snacks and tools. If you are under 18, you will need a waiver which can be downloaded from our "Volunteer Opportunities" page. Due to the scope of work, volunteers for this project must be 16 and over. Number of Volunteers needed: 50. Registration is required for this event: Please call 408-355-2278 or e-mail irene.tsobanakis@prk.sccgov.org leave your name, age, contact info, and total number of volunteers for your group.
Saturday, May 3, 8:00 am, Pat's Run, starting and ending at Leland High School, a 4.2 mile run/walk to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation . Volunteers are needed to help out with the race. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Erin Dando at edando@pattillmanfoundation.org or call 408.507.6754.
Saturday, May 3, 2008: Trail Day at Santa Teresa on the Fortini Trail. Time: 9am – 1 pm. Location: Santa Teresa County Park, Fortini Trail NOTE: We are meeting at the Stiles Trailhead, off of Fortini Rd. and McKeon Rd, NOT the main entrance to Santa Teresa Park. Details: Come on out to this beautiful park and help us reconstruct and restore the Fortini Trail. We will provide water, snacks, tools, and gloves. Please wear long sleeves, pants, sturdy shoes (no open toes), be prepared for rain or shine. Suncreen, hat and sunglasses recommended. Number of Volunteers needed: 30. Registration is required for this event: Please call 408-355-2278 or e-mail irene.tsobanakis@prk.sccgov.org leave your name, age, contact info, and total number of volunteers for your group.
Sunday May 4, 12:00-3:00pm, “Healthy Trails” Mother’s Day Hike. Santa Teresa County Park. Bring your moms and the whole family out to enjoy a spring wildflower hike led by Park Docent Mike Boulland and the Friends of Santa Teresa Park. Play games and explore the park’s geology and history along the way. Meet at the park’s Fortini Trailhead off of Fortini Rd. For more information about this and other “Healthy Trails” programs and partners, check the County Parks website or call (408) 355-2240.
Saturday, May 10, Quicksilver Running Club races, 6:00 am: 50K and 50-mile runs, 7:00 am: 25K run, Mockingbird Hill entrance.
Saturday, May 17, 11am-2pm: Play Like a Miner, Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Join museum staff for a fun-filled afternoon of kid-friendly activities and adventures that reflect the life and hard work of cinnabar miners and New Almaden’s historic mining community. The museum is located at 21350 Almaden Road in San Jose. (408) 323-1107.
Saturday May 17, Quicksilver Ride & Tie race. 30, 15 and 6 mile courses. Contact: Steve Anderson.
Sunday, May 18, 11:00am-2:00pm. “Healthy Trails” Hike or Bike, Hellyer County Park. Start your path to fitness, fun and adventure by joining the “Healthy Trails” program at this kick-off event for families. Take a hike or bike ride along the Coyote Creek Trail with park staff and Docents. Meet at the Buena Vista Picnic Pavillion with biking or hiking gear. For more information about this and other “Healthy Trails” programs and partners, check the County Parks website or call (408) 355-2240.

For more information, contact us. Updated 6/16/08.