The mountains are calling!

Someone rightly said “People don’t go to Coe to train for the Sierra, they go to Sierra to train for Coe”. While Mount Sizer does not stand with the elite peaks of Yosemite in its views, it’s as challenging as any other peaks in Yosemite. Mount Sizer is located in Henry W. Coe State Park and makes for a challenging day hike if you are up for it. While you can do this hike throughout the year, I would recommend doing it early spring or fall and avoid a hot day, as the hike can get really tiring in the hot sun.

I have done this hike multiple times, and still ponder myself as to why one would want to put themselves through such pain in completing this hike, but then Hiking is the only passion that keeps me going! Luckily I have never done this hike without a group, while I have hiked sections of it alone and it was not fun. There are sections along the hike where you really wish you were not alone! The hike usually takes about 6 to 8 hours, and will be a whole day affair.

There are restrooms along the trail, so if you don’t use them at the parking lot you don’t have to worry. You can do the Mount Sizer loop in both clockwise and anti clockwise directions, but we have always done clockwise direction starting from the main parking lot. If you arrive late you will not find a parking spot in the main lot, and will have to walk before getting to the trail. If you park in the main parking lot, you need to trace your foot steps back on the main road towards Manzanita point road which is where the hike starts. A few steps on Manzanita Point Road will lead you to a single track trail towards Monument Trail. Monument Trail is a single track trail that runs through a set of switch backs and joins Hobbs road in 0.7 miles. Getting to Hobbs road junction is a nice warm up for the rest of the hike.

Follow Hobbs Road from the junction towards a steep descent until you reach Frog Lake Trail junction. From here you can either take the Frog Lake Trail or stick to Hobbs Road which starts to gain some elevation as you proceed. A mile or so from Frog Lake campground, the trail picks some elevation and has you walking in the Sun. After a mile of elevation, Hobbs road starts to descend through a series of shaded switchbacks. The descend ends at Coyote creek crossing, where the water levels can be challenging depending on the year and time.

Hobbs Road ends at the creek and you are now onto Blue Ridge Trail after crossing the stream. The trail from coyote creek crossing is a steep ascent of about 1500 ft in less than a mile and is as challenging as it can get. This part of trail until you reach the top of the mountain is infamously called the “Shortcut” and has the steepest ascent around the bay area. If you ever need to test your fitness level you need to ascend the Shortcut by timing yourself. It is said that you are as old as the time you take to finish the Shortcut, and we never made it in less than 60 minutes 😀 The section of trail ascending Shortcut is a series of switchbacks with very little shade for you to rest. A sunny hot day can make this climb an incredible challenge to overcome. At the end of Shortcut is a shaded bench for you to rest and take a much needed break!

From the bench, you follow Blue Ridge Trail as it traverses through ups and downs for the next mile or so before you reach a junction. Remember to stick to Blue Ridge Trail and not veer left at the junction as it descends down to a lake. The lake may be beautiful, but the ascent back is going to take a toll, and makes the rest of the hike that much harder. From the junction you are not very far from Mount Sizer and should be reaching the highest point shortly. Mount Sizer is not a typical mountain, but is just a high point on the trail. There are some beautiful views throughout as you approach the high point.

From the high point, you keep following Blue Ridge Trail until you reach Jackass Trail junction. The trail from Mount Sizer to Jackass Trail junction is flat and gets challenging in the hot sun with no shade. From Jackass trail junction you can follow Blue Ridge Trail to the junction of Poverty Flat Road, or take the Jackass trail and connect with Poverty Flat Road. Jackass trail is a notorious single track trail which goes through a burnt section of the park. The trail has bushes on both sides, and looks intimidating when you are alone and walking along the burnt trees and high bushes. Even the slightest sound of wind in this section can send chills down your spine. Jackass trail has its varied terrain of ups and downs, and runs for about a mile before you hit Poverty Flat Road. Make a right at the junction of Poverty Flat Road and head towards China Hole Trail. By the time you reach Poverty Flat Road, most of the previous 4-5 miles of trail would be in hot sun, and we were all tired during this section.

From Poverty Flat Road junction the trail ascends a little and then descends until it reaches the junction of China Hole Trail. There is a restroom here and ample space for camping. This makes for a good break as well for the rest of the trail. By the time you reach China Hole Trail junction you would have had some decent mileage on your legs and it would have been a tiring hike. The next stretch of trail from China Hole Trail junction is what makes Mount Sizer hike challenging. Remember the Shortcut you hiked and made it thus far, well the next section is a mini shortcut in itself. Though this section of trail is not as challenging as the Shortcut, it has decent elevation gain before you reach flatter ground. The stretch of trail during mini Shortcut is all shaded, so it’s not as hot but challenging for sure. The ascent ends at the junction of Manzanita Point Road where you can take a break and catch your breath.

From the junction of Poverty Flat road and Manzanita Point road there are multiple trails to reach Coe Ranch Campground where you parked your car. We have done this trail multiple trails, so use the Forest Trail as its shaded and makes it much easier. Forest Trail ends up meeting Manzanita Point Road in less than a mile. From the junction, you have multiple trails to reach Coe Ranch Campground. We followed the Corral Trail which is the shortest before you reach your car. The final stretch of hike along Corral Trail is much more relaxing and ends at Coe Ranch Campground. You will be glad that you made it alive, and will be ready to celebrate this incredible hike!

Difficulty – Strenuous Insanity Level – 3.5 Distance ~ 16 miles Elevation ~ 3500 ft Time ~ 6-8 hours

Directions: Coe Ranch Campground – Manzanita Point Road – Monument Trail – Hobbs Road – Blue Ridge Trail – Jackass Trail – Poverty Flat Road – Manzanita Point Road – Forest Trail – Corral Trail – Coe Ranch Campground