Mariposa Point

Near: San Jose
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation: 1,500 to 3,000 feet
Vegetation: Pasture
Last Visit: Spring 2019

**Note: This hike was affected by the 2020 SCU fire complex. Check on official information for Joseph D Grant Park, for up to date information on the state of trails there** 

Mariposa Point is not the highest point in Joseph D Grant Park, near San Jose, but close, and it's the point with the most prominence.  At just shy of 3,000 feet it's one of the highest places in the San Francisco Bay Area that you can hike to with a dog.  There's no point with unobstructed 360 degree views, but the views at the point and at a few places along the high ridge leading to it are still quite good, particularly in the spring when the grass is green. 

Rules

Dogs must be on leash.

Trailhead

This route starts at the roadside lot for Grant "Lake".  No fees.  There was a porta-potty on site last time I was there.

Route Notes

The route I suggest here, up the Halls Valley Trail is one I took for a trail run a while back and includes a steady climb of over 1500 feet.  Its very satisfying if a good climb is what you're looking for, but there is an alternative route along the Canada de Pala trail from the twin gates parking area farther up Mt Hamilton Road.  That route still has a few hundred feet of climb,  but starts much higher and rambles up and down a bit more.

https://caltopo.com/m/B2F8