Henry Coe Backpacking Gear Checklist

What shapes your gear on Henry Coe backpacking

Permit

You cannot reserve a backpacking permit. You register on the day you leave, at Coe Ranch, Dowdy Ranch or Hunting Hollow, where you can self-register when no one is on duty. Backpacking costs $5 per person per night, plus a vehicle fee.

From California State Parks and Pine Ridge Association, Henry W. Coe State Park

Where you camp

The Western Area uses designated sites only. The eastern zones let you pick your own spot, with a cap on how many parties each zone takes. Across the park there is room for over 60 parties of up to eight people.

From Pine Ridge Association, Henry W. Coe State Park

Water

Hunting Hollow has no potable water. Water at Headquarters is available at the visitor center. Trip reports describe springs, creeks and stock ponds that change year to year, so the park asks you to check with staff before you go.

From Pine Ridge Association, Henry W. Coe State Park, Backpacker's Review and Backpacking Light forum: Henry Coe from Hunting Hollow

Heat and cold

Summer highs run above 90 degrees. Overnight lows reported on a February trip were between 30 and 50 degrees, and one canyon campsite is known for biting cold.

From California State Parks, Backpacker's Review and Two Heel Drive

Season

One long-time Bay Area hiker backpacks Coe from late October through early June and calls summer too hot, with dry creeks. Spring is the park's busiest time for permits and parking.

From Two Heel Drive and California State Parks

What hikers carry on Henry Coe backpacking

• Enough water for the longest dry stretch

  Water is the planning problem in this park. A May 2011 trip to Coit Lake found creek water near the trailhead and springs at Willson Camp, then almost nothing until the lake. Pack for that gap and ask a ranger how the springs are running.

  From Backpacking Light forum: Henry Coe Late May/Early June, Two Heel Drive and Pine Ridge Association, Henry W. Coe State Park

• A pump or gravity filter with a cloth pre-filter

  One family that camps at Coe often leaves the UV pen at home and uses a gravity filter, because filtered stock-pond water tastes better. Others say a bandana as a pre-filter plus treatment is fine, and that a spring is a better source than a pond.

  From Backpacking Light forum: Henry Coe from Hunting Hollow

• Trekking poles

  The trail and fire road climbs are long and steep, and one February trip report calls poles a lifesaver for the knees on the descents.

  From Backpacker's Review and Two Heel Drive

• Sandals or water shoes for The Narrows

  The Narrows trail crosses a creek back and forth for about a mile. In summer it may be mostly dry, but in winter the crossings can be waist deep.

  From Backpacker's Review

• Sun cover and a brimmed hat

  Many trails are exposed and the park sits at only 2,000 to 3,000 feet, so heat builds fast. The park itself tells long-distance hikers to carry and drink plenty of water.

  From Backpacker's Review and California State Parks

• Warm layers for camp

  Hot days turn into cold nights. A February group packed a down jacket and wool base layers for lows in the 30s to 50s, and a Bay Area blogger says the China Hole canyon gets especially cold overnight.

  From Backpacker's Review and Two Heel Drive

• Cash for the Hunting Hollow self-registration box

  At Hunting Hollow there is no staffed booth, so you put your permit and the fee in an envelope in a lock box. A trip report warns you need cash for that.

  From Backpacker's Review and California State Parks

• A printed park map

  Hikers pick routes by climb, not distance, because fire roads are short but brutal and trails switchback. A paper map from the visitor center helps you choose, though the large plastic one is heavy.

  From Two Heel Drive and Backpacker's Review

• A tick check and long sleeves

  A forum reply to a first-time visitor in April offered one piece of advice, which was to mind the ticks.

  From Backpacking Light forum: Henry Coe from Hunting Hollow

Gear questions for Henry Coe backpacking