A visionary idea inspires grassroots action.

About us.

OUR MISSION

To plan, promote and sustain a connected hiking, cycling, and equestrian trail on the ridgelines around San Francisco Bay—linking people, parks and open space for today and future generations.

Trail history.

 How one man's vision inspired action around the Bay.

History.

Over thirty years ago park visionary William Penn Mott, Jr., who served as Director of the National Park Service as well as East Bay Regional Park and California State Parks, brought forth a big idea. He wanted to unite the ridges encircling the Bay Area into one continuous park with a 550-mile Ridge Trail. Ultimately the vision included connecting the Ridge Trail, and the metropolitan center it served, to the Sierra Nevadas.
In 1987, the Greenbelt Alliance, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the National Park Service as well as citizen advocates came together to help form the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Thanks to their pioneering leadership the Ridge Trail is growing mile by mile.

Progress.

Trail Progress: The first Ridge Trail segment was dedicated in May 1989. During the first few years, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council made rapid progress, dedicating 200 miles of existing trail on public lands by 1995. Today, over 400 miles are open and ready to explore 80% of which is open to bikes and horses. Bit-by-bit continuous sections are being knit together to provide true thru-hike (or bike, or ride!) opportunities. On our Western Ridge we have an 80-mile stretch from northern Marin to Highway 92 and on our Eastern Ridge we have a 43-mile connected stretch from El Sobrante to Union City. Get your maps out and make a plan!

Meet the staff.

Staff

Janet McBride

Executive Director

Staff

Ryan Mack

Deputy Director

Staff

Marie Sayles

Development Director

Sharon Bone

Sharon Bone

Operations and Database Coordinator

Photo of Natalia Cortes, smiling

Natalia Cortes

Event & Volunteer Manager

Photo of Kyvan Elep wearing sunglasses with mountain behind

Kyvan Elep

Trail Project Manager

Staff

Ryan Fritz

Trail Project Manager

Staff

Lisa Rigby

Administrative Coordinator/Development Associate

Staff

Alex Sabo

Advocacy and Outreach Manager

Janet McBride

Executive Director

In October 2006 Janet joined the Council, bringing over 20 years of experience in urban and environmental planning and policy. Previously she served as Director of the San Francisco Bay Trail Project (1998-2004) and Planning Director of the Association of Bay Area Governments (2004-2006). Janet has worked extensively with public agencies and districts, elected officials, developers and advocates to advance long-distance multi-use trails. She was instrumental in developing the competitive grant program now offered collaboratively by the Ridge Trail and the Coastal Conservancy. The program was specifically structured to target high priority segments and critical gaps, to leverage State funds with matching contributions, and to foster new partnerships and creative design solutions. Janet is an avid hiker and enjoys both up- and down-hill sections, and has a particular affinity for trails that afford Bay views. She also enjoys kayaking and travel. Janet earned a BS in Environmental Policy and Analysis Planning from the University of California, Davis, and a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Ryan Mack

Deputy Director

Ryan joined the Ridge Trail in 2021. He brings 15 years of experience on three continents, working with the private sector, government agencies, non-profits, international NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. Before joining the Ridge Trail, Ryan was a program officer at the Goldman Environmental Foundation and built relationships with policymakers, funders, grassroots activists, Indigenous leaders, community groups working on the frontlines of environmental justice. Ryan's experience includes managing environmental programs with Ecology Action, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the University of San Francisco, and the US Peace Corps. An avid trail runner, gravel biker, hiker, and backpacker, Ryan grew up in the countryside of Mendocino County and enjoys exploring the wealth of trails around the Bay Area with his family. He has a bachelor's degree from UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco.

Marie Sayles

Development Director

Marie joined the Ridge Trail in 2020 and brings over twenty years of experience as a leader and innovator in non-profits, educational organizations and social enterprises at the intersection of nature, health & sustainability. Her recent work supported transformative, mission-driven organizations in building their fundraising and programmatic capabilities with leadership roles at Naturebridge and Barnraiser, and strategic consulting for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and The SF Market. She holds a B.B.A. in Marketing from James Madison University and an M.S.Ed in Education from the Bank Street College. Marie can be found hiking and biking Bay Area trails with friends and family or jumping in the Bay for a swim at the Dolphin Club. She's a board member for the Garden for the Environment, with a passion for gardening and growing food in her spare time. Marie is always looking for a new challenge and is eager to explore new sections of the trail to add miles to her Trail Tracker.

Sharon Bone

Operations and Database Coordinator

Sharon joined the Ridge Trail staff in January 2018

Natalia Cortes

Event & Volunteer Manager

Natalia joined the Ridge Trail in 2023. They come to the team with years of experience with activating community spaces through events. Prior to joining the Ridge Trail Team, Natalia worked for Moveable Co. There, they collaborated with small businesses and creative communities in San Jose. Cultural festivals, night markets, and film festivals were highlights of their work. Their passion rests on diversity in representation, empathy for lived experiences, and amplifying under heard voices. Natalia has a BA in History of Art and Visual Culture from the University of California, Santa Cruz. They are an avid cyclist and a leader in the Bay Area cycling community. You can find them summiting mountains, riding sections of the Ridge Trail, or bikepacking throughout California.

Kyvan Elep

Trail Project Manager

Kyvan joined the Ridge Trail team in 2023 bringing his experiences in project management, technical trail work, and volunteer management. Prior to joining the Ridge Trail Team, Kyvan spent 2 summer seasons with Washington Trails Association's Lost Trails Found professional crew as an assistant crew leader where he was part of a crew that reactivated unmaintained backcountry trails. This is where he grew passionate about trail development and technical trailwork by spending a week at a time crosscutting logs to clear miles of trail in various parts of Washington's Wilderness Areas. Along with his trail experience, Kyvan has also served various Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps terms across the United States dedicated to natural resource management where he developed his skills in technical field work, scientific research and educational outreach. Kyvan graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Environmental Science & Policy while he also worked at Disney's California Adventure as a Wilderness Explorer at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and River Guide at Grizzly River Run. As an avid hiker, backpacker and photographer, he is excited to return to his home state of California to help complete the Bay Area Ridge Trail and catch some stellar sunset views from some ridges along the way.

Ryan Fritz

Trail Project Manager

Ryan joined the Ridge Trail team in 2022 and brings experience in trail development and technical project management. Prior to joining, he led trail building crews with the Utah Conservation Corps. He has also served as an environmental educator at an outdoor science camp, working with youth to foster a love of the outdoors through hiking, adventure sports, and science classes. He started his career as a technical project manager, working with a variety of clients to develop GIS software applications and improve data processes. He brings a diverse background and skill set that is enhanced by his passion for trails and getting people outside. He’s an avid backpacker and has completed a 2,200 mile thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Ryan grew up in Dallas, Texas and received his Bachelors in Economics and Masters in Economics with a focus in Data Science from the University of Oklahoma.

Lisa Rigby

Administrative Coordinator/Development Associate

Lisa Rigby joined the Ridge Trail staff in 2020. She has provided administrative backbone to growing organizations with big goals, including small startups, higher education, and established businesses in the private sector. Most recently, Lisa worked as a Community Manager at Port Workspaces, where she provided member support, streamlined operations, and guided new protocols in response to COVID mitigation needs. Lisa’s role at the Ridge Trail is a perfect marriage of her professional skills and her personal passion for nature. She knows a simple walk in the woods can be a profound experience, providing sanctuary from our fears and anxieties, and moving us to live up to our roles as stewards of the outdoors. A graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art, Lisa also creates artwork inspired by her hikes around the Bay.

Alex Sabo

Advocacy and Outreach Manager

Alex joined the Ridge Trail in 2020 bringing her experience in public engagement and project management to the team. Before joining the Ridge Trail she managed communications projects for a range of local organizations, from water districts to transportation agencies. In 2017 Alex completed a Climate Corps fellowship with Alameda County. The program introduced her to the environmental challenges facing the Bay Area and strengthened her love for its natural spaces. Alex graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with degrees in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. She grew up in Sacramento enjoying very hot summers along the American River, and now loves exploring trails near her home in Oakland and beyond with her dog, Toby.

Meet the Board

Photo of Karen Rhodes

Karen Rhodes

Chair

Photo of Taylor Jang

Taylor Jang

Vice Chair

Photo of Alan Fox

Alan Fox

Treasurer

Photo of Deb St Cyr

Deb St.Cyr

Secretary

Officers

Suzanne Wilson

Governance Chair

Officers

Charlie Bowen

Immediate Past Chair

Karen Rhodes

Chair

Taylor Jang

Vice Chair

Alan Fox

Treasurer

Deb St.Cyr

Secretary

Suzanne Wilson

Governance Chair

Charlie Bowen

Immediate Past Chair

Photo of Bob Berman

Bob Berman

Photo of Baldwyn Chieh

Baldwyn Chieh

Photo of Luana Espana

Luana España

Photo of Ross Heitkamp

Ross Heitkamp

Photo of Sam Jackson

Sam Jackson

Photo of Pamela Kramer

Pam Kramer

Photo of Eileen Kutnick

Eileen Kutnick

Photo of Nina Lagpacan

Nina Lagpacan

Photo of Bill Long

Bill Long

Chair Emeritus

Directors

Dave Manchester

Photo of Morris Older

Morris Older

Photo of Anil Rao

Anil Rao

Photo of Rachel Royce

Rachel Royce

Photo of Nargis Solis

Nargis Solis

Photo of Bob Siegel

Bob Siegel

photo of prentiss willson

Prentiss Willson

Photo of Gregg Sass

Gregg Sass

Bob Berman

Baldwyn Chieh

Luana España

Ross Heitkamp

Sam Jackson

Pam Kramer

Eileen Kutnick

Nina Lagpacan

Bill Long

Chair Emeritus

Dave Manchester

Morris Older

Anil Rao

Rachel Royce

Nargis Solis

Bob Siegel

Prentiss Willson

Gregg Sass

Contact.

Bay Area Ridge Trail Council

We've moved! As of April 2023, our new address:

Mailing address: PO Box 3367, Berkeley, CA 94703

Physical address: c/o Workstation West, 2247 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710

415-561-2595

info@ridgetrail.org

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