Start at the Park HQ to pay for parking and ask the rangers if there are any trail closures or blockages along this route.

Find the Corral Trail, just behind the park HQ. Take the trail through the woods for about a half-mile till it intersects with the Springs Trail.

Bear right on Springs Trail - a very nice single-track that is one of the prime wildlife and wildflower areas at Henry Coe (I once spotted a coyote here not 20 yards from the trail).

Stay on the Springs Trail for 1.3 miles till it intersects with Manzanita Point Road.

Turn right on Manzanita Point Road and stay on it for about .8 mile.

You'll pass through the Manzanita Point Campgrounds, where the next major trail junction is near a privy.

Bear Right on the Madrone Soda Springs Trail. This is a steep, one-mile descent with awesome views of the nearby hills. It bottoms out at a creek near the old Madrone Soda Springs.

(Don't be tempted to head straight for the China Hole Trail -- you'll use that trail on your return route; it's far better to descend along Madrone Soda Spr... Moreings Trail and ascend on China Hole Trail.)Less

The trail turns left into the Mile Trail. Along the way you'll pass the ruins of an old cabin and an abandoned root cellar carved into the hillside.

Mile Trail crosses the creek several times - watch your step or you'll end up with wet feet.

Mile Trail leads to China Hole at the bottom of a large canyon.

The China Hole campsite is on the other side of the creek - unless you're camping out at China Hole, there's really no need to cross the creek; consider it optional depending on how adventurous you feel.

If you go for a swim, don't forget to save your energy... More for the five-mile uphill hike back to the park HQ.Less

Look for the sign post for China Hole Trail on the west bank of the creek. The trail starts climbing steeply from the beginning.

Take your time and enjoy the view on the way up -- this is the hardest part of the hike, but the trail's switchbacks ease the strain.

After 1.3 miles you'll come to the intersection with the Cou... Moregar Trail. Stay on China Hole Trail and follow it back to the Manzanita Point group camps.

After another 1.2 miles you'll return to the intersection with Manzanita Point Road and Madrone Soda Springs Trail. Turn right on Manzanita Point Road.Less

Manzanita Point Road - you'll see the Springs Trail on your left after .8 mile. If you're still feeling strong, retracing your steps on Springs Trail is a nice alternative.

If, however, you're more in a mood for getting your hike over with, hike on for about another three-quarters of a mile till you see a sign post reading "Coe HDQRT... MoreS. 0.7 MI"

Turn left here: This is the Corral Trail, which returns to the parking lot.Less