Mount Sizer is located in Henry Coe State Park at an elevation of 3,216′. Henry Coe State Park is the largest state park in California at almost 81,000 acres. There are numerous trails that could keep a backpacker busy hiking for weeks. Elevation in the park ranges from 710′ to 3,650′.

I think I got the idea for this hike after reading a BACKPACKER Magazine article. So in April of 1997 my wife Stacy and I made the 2½ hour drive to Morgan Hill. Permits are required here so we got ours at the Park Headquarters then we were on our way.

We chose a 15 mile loop but I don't remember the exact route we took. We basically followed the roads up to Mount Sizer and past Poverty Flat and back to the Park Headquarters. Immediately the trail climbs from the from the headquarters. This was to be a hint of what would follow.

We took the Monument Trail that leads over to a monument to the park's namesake Henry Coe.

On our way past Frog Lake I stopped to smell the flowers…and take their picture! On a second trip we took our then 18 month old daughter Hannah backpacking to Frog Lake. Frog Lake makes a good overnight trip with kids because it is about 1.5 miles from the Park Headquarters..

For our first night we stayed at Skeel's Meadow. We arrived earlier than expected so we took a nap in the meadow, explored a bit and made dinner. We had the place to our self until around dusk, when a lone hiker arrived. We chatted a while, then turned in for the night.

After breakfast we hit the trail (road) again. After crossing the Middle Fork Coyote Creek Hobbs Road climbs over 1500' in 1.3 miles. This is the type of trail that we will be traveling on for the majority of our trip.

We finally reach Blue Ridge and are traveling south east on the Blue Ridge Road towards Mount Sizer.

On our way we noticed these Mountain Lion footprints, but that was all we ever saw.

From Blue Ridge you can see some of the private property throughout the park. This is Booze Lake, near Laurel Springs Gun Club.

We ran into a couple of people who graciously took our picture from around Mount Sizer (3,216').

This time of year the wildflowers are all around.

One more ridge view before we start back down to Poverty Flat.

One more wildflower picture.

We finally make it to Poverty Flat Campground. The steep terrain has taken a toll on my knees. At times I could only walk 100' before I had to stop. We met a Volunteer Ranger who said if I couldn't make it he could get a truck in that night and bring us out, but I declined his offer. I have hiked to the top of <a href="/trailhead/backpacking-trips/half-dome/">Half Dome</a> three times, twice as a day hike and once as an overnighter. I would have to say this was the toughest 15 miles I have done so far. I now agree with the comment that ranger made in that most people come here to get in shape for the Sierra, but really hiking the Sierra gets you in shape for Henry Coe! Until next time…