Hikers on a fundraising 5-mile hike from the start at Spring Lake to Lake Ilsanjo followed the runners, traveling by way of the recent Trails Council project on Spring Creek trail.

The organizers have posted many photos and other information on the race website.

Today, Feb. 23, 2010, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, acting as the District’s Board of Directors, approved five contracts totaling $391,360 to prepare for the construction of the North Slope Ridge trail on Sonoma Mountain, and to assist the District with other trail development projects at the Montini and Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserves.

“Sonoma Mountain now joins the ring of Bay Area summits that provide public access,” said Valerie Brown, First District Supervisor. “State, County and District-protected properties will be linked together by a multi-use trail that allows the community to enjoy 5,500 acres of contiguous open space.”

The agreements include services from Sonoma County Regional Parks Department for construction management of park improvements, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council (BARTC) for trail planning and construction oversight, and the Conservation Corps North Bay for trail construction and stewardship tasks such as invasive plant control and fire abatement. Additional contracted services include engineering, surveying, and permitting work that must occur prior to construction. Construction is expected to begin early this summer and be substantially completed by late fall.

“This project will help provide local youth with meaningful work and new perspectives,” said Gary Miltimore, Sonoma County Program Director of the Conservation Corps North Bay. “They will be working alongside people that are passionate about providing safe, yet exhilarating, public access to Sonoma County’s richest natural resources.”

The proposed multi-use trail will traverse four District-protected properties, totaling approximately 454 acres and a public investment of more than $12 million, the 84-acre Sonoma Mountain Woodlands parcel owned by Regional Parks, and the approximately 1,400-acre Jack London State Historic Park. The $1.4 million construction project encompasses access road improvements, a parking area, and a 4.25-mile trail that will total approximately nine miles of trail from the proposed trailhead at Jacobs Ranch on Sonoma Mountain to the Hayfields trailhead at Jack London State Historic Park and add to the larger Bay Area Ridge Trail.

“The North Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail will be a treasured link in the visionary 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail,” said Janet McBride, BARTC Executive Director. “We are thrilled that trail construction is poised to begin—this is the happy result of many years of passionate, persistent efforts among many partners.”

The California Coastal Conservancy has supported the preservation of, and access to, Sonoma Mountain by providing a total of $2,385,000 in grant funding for planning, land acquisition, and public access improvements. The Coastal Conservancy was able to release $341,666 of a $575,000 grant frozen by the State to begin the construction.

“There is no better place to experience the spectacular beauty of Sonoma County than its namesake mountain,” said Maxene Spellman, project manager for the State Coastal Conservancy. “The new trail will lead hikers into the quiet intimacy of nature and offer majestic views that take in much of the North Bay’s awe-inspiring landscape.”

“This project once again demonstrates the significance of partnerships in our land conservation efforts,” said Bill Keene, General Manager of the District. “Our combined teamwork in funding, planning, and implementing this project will provide needed jobs, public access, and protection of diverse wildlife habitats and sensitive natural resources.”

–Source: Sonoma Land Trust

Trail Center crew leader training, Feb. 20, 2010

This past week’s volunteer crew leader training was a series of firsts. The training was San Mateo County Parks first crew leader training and was the Trail Center’s first sponsored training since 2004. By all accounts the training was a success.

On the night of Thursday, Feb 18, we had about 10 crew leader trainees, and on Saturday, Feb 20, we had 8 trainees. Thursday’s session included overviews, trail standards, a day in the life of a
crew leader, and safety. My Thursday highlight was Scott’s Joe Crew Leader session where he channeled Geoffrey Skinner and described a fictional trail day where “Joe Crew Leader” was strong in enthusiasm but weak in self awareness and people skills.

On Saturday, we focused on putting our learning to the test. We started the day with the rituals of the trail day and then broke into three, rotating groups that focused on drainage, tread, and
brushing/trail maintenance. The weather cooperated since it did not rain until later on Saturday afternoon.

Through both the classroom and field sessions, the instruction concentrated on the three objectives of a trail day: 1) safety, 2) having fun, and 3) building quality trails.

Next Saturday, Feb 27 from 9:00 am to noon will be an optional crew leader training session. We need to finalize the agenda, but we will probably focus on building drainage structures.

The training came together through the efforts of many. I’d like to thank the following:

• Coastal Conservancy for their grant that helped make the training possible (and the quality sandwiches and shirts).
• Geoffrey Skinner, former Trail Center president, and the Sonoma County Trails Council for allowing us to leverage SCTC training materials.
• Carla Schoof, the SMCP volunteer coordinator, for organizing the effort for the SMCP.
• San Mateo Park rangers who participated in the Thursday and
• Saturday sessions, especially David Vasquez who participated in both sessions.
• Trail Center projects team including Scott Heeschen, Dave Croker, Dave Taylor, and Hank Magnuski for their work in preparation and instruction.

I learned a lot from the sessions including how to make the next one even better.

Here’s the link for pictures from the Saturday practical session.

Tool demonstrations

The 8th Annual Park Advocacy Day (PAD) will take place on March 8th in Sacramento from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

Visit the California State Parks Foundation website to sign up for PAD 2010.

Registration required by February 19th.

Also email stewards@mcn.org to let the Stewards know that you plan to attend and they will work out carpooling for this important and empowering event. Training is provided and you will mentor with other experienced advocates. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet with legislators in person!

Park Advocacy Day 2009

This is the trail project SCTC worked on last year (under contract).This is our chance to get out there and see the product of all that hard work. It’ll also be a good time to catch-up with each other and meet some SLT folks. This is special event open to SCTC and SLT members — a perk since this property is generally not open to the public. For more information or to sign-up, please email Sonoma Land Trust

2009 was a productive and eventful year — in rough order:

• Trail Stewardship Training at Shiloh Regional Park, led by Rob Helms, Tim Mayer and Geoffrey Skinner
• Trail stewardship projects at Annadel and Sugarloaf State Parks
• Partnership with Regional Parks for trail construction at Hood Mountain
• Trail design and construction at Little Black Mountain for Sonoma Land Trust
• Temporary trail construction at Glen Oaks Ranch for Sonoma Land Trust
• National Trails Day at Salt Point State Park–campground and trail stewardship projects
• Council bylaws revised and adopted by Board of Directors
• Winter and springtime dog hikes
• Hard working crews led by Tim Mayer built a terrific pair of causeways on Spring Creek Trail at Annadel (see story below)
• Successful reconsideration request for multi-use designation on Stump Beach Trail at Salt Point SP
• Rob Helms steps down as Executive Director
• A great tool party gets all tools in shape for the 2010 season

As we look to the coming year, we are still working to firm up our calendar, but look for:

• Stump Beach Trail and other projects at Salt Point for National Trails Day in June
• Trail stewardship on the Creekside Trail at Shiloh Regional Park
• Stewardship workshops
• Ongoing stewardship at Annadel

…and many more opportunities to get outside and give back to the parks. Please check back on our trails blog for current opportunities and news.

The new IP Day-Use Permit Program allows the public to visit the park during posted hours once they’ve completed an hour-long orientation and obtained a permit. Regional Parks is offering these mandatory one-hour orientations, free of charge, which cover permit procedures, and rules & regulations. After the orientation, participants receive Tolay IP Day-Use Permits, along with maps, park rules & regulations, and gate access cards. Permit holders may use the park for a variety of activities, including hiking, bicycling, picnicking, or horseback riding. Regular day-use parking fees apply.

Orientation sessions:

ORIENTATIONS START PROMPTLY – LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED

Eventually the property will include a section of the California Coastal Trail as well as other trails. While the interim public access plan is being developed, the Land Trust will begin conducting guided hikes in January 2010. From January–March, SLT will offer a hike each month along the coastal headlands. This strenuous 3.5-mile roundtrip hike will ascend more than 700 feet in elevation to a rocky hilltop within the coastal prairie portion of the Headlands. Along the way, hikers will be greeted with dazzling views of the Sonoma Coast (on clear days!). Although this route will follow old ranch roads, some sections are especially rough with uneven footing. This hike is not for inexperienced hikers — you must be in good physical condition and sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are strongly recommended.

Jenner Headlands pages for more information on hikes and the property.