Almaden Park; 40 Minutes

If there is a park in the Bay Area which can be rightfully dedicated to the God Mercury, it is definitely Almaden Park, at the south side of San Jose. Ohlone Indians first discovered Cinnabar, a red ore of Quicksilver, and used it for their ceremonies. They then showed the deposits to the settlers, which was probably a major mistake, as the settlers quickly set about mining the ore and producing mercury to feed the gold mines in the Sierra, as well as exporting it to China to produce vermilion paste for their chops.

The walk begins at the Southernmost end of McAbee Rd, near Camden Ave.



Park at the bend where McAbee Road ends, and walk along the trail into the park. The trail into the park passes several Bay Laurel trees, sacred to the Nymph Daphne, and used in many spells. As you cross a concrete bridge, in spring, you may see woodpeckers nesting in a hole in a tree on your left, at the south end of the bridge. From the bridge, I have seen a wonderful Stag, representative of the great Cernunnos, watching me gravely. Before long, you will enter the park proper, and after reading the Mountain Lion warning sign (always a fun read), continue straight (to the right) on McAbee Road. On the trail you will see teasels here and there, as well as some more domesticated flowers that seem to have survived in the wild (Clarkia, Godetia, Cornflower). Before long, you will see the Senador Mine Workings, and if you look up to the right, the scar in the hill where the ore was mined, and all around, tailings piles. You can continue upwards (where there are lots of lupins in spring), or return with me for a shorter walk up the New Almaden trail. Immediately you join the New Almaden trail, you come to a small wooden bridge, under which a troll may be living. Send the children first in case. Then the trail begins to rise, and on the right, in spring, you will find the pleasant flowers of blue-eyed grass, together with bluedicks. As the path gets more shaded, look for Mugwort, a divination herb which grows in this location. Just before crossing another bridge and climbing up, you will be under a large oak, which is the genius Loci of this part of the trail. Pause to share some energy with him, before crossing the bridge and beginning the climb.

As the trail climbs, there is still some fur left from a recent kill, where I was gifted a nice clean rabbits foot. All around you will find the silvery branches of wormwood, which has a nice clean scent. You can also find Milk thistle growing on this hill beside the path. Continue upwards, where you will pass under the branches of another wood spirit on a local rise in the path, just before the final stretch before you reach the crossroads (sacred to Hecate), with two more significant Oak Spirits. Pause to enjoy the view, before descending down Mine Hill trail past a fine silvery blue outcrop of Serpentine, reputed to cleanse Chakras, provide protection, and aid meditation and divination. As you descend, you pass around a sharp bend back into the shade, and as you do so, you are entering an area of the parent rock of the mercury ore. Then you walk down a long curving slope past another father Oak, before re-entering the bay woods where you will find Miners lettuce in spring. Shortly you rejoin McAbee Rd, and can leave the park and find your car.

Animals you may have encountered on the way include butterflies, lizards, grasshoppers, deer, joggers and rabbits. The walk is a pleasant short walk, with enough elevation change to make it heart-healthy, but not too strenuous, and has traversed riparian, meadow, hillside and forest habitats. The spirits are friendly here, with the exception of a dark patch between the bridge-oak and the blue-eyed grass. The Oak spirit by the bridge provides protection, so there is little to fear except a few rustlings in the riverbed.


For more about the park, search on the Santa Clara County Website, and under "find a park", look for Almaden Quicksilver park, the first on the list. A full map is also available at this location.