Author: Sharon Bone

Mount Saint Helena: Sign and Dedication Update

The Ridge Trail spur to the top of Mount Saint Helena is now properly signed along the Palisades and Table Rock sections. With a peak at 4,343 feet, Mount St. Helena is a heavy hitter in the world of Ridge Trail views.

When you support the Ridge Trail, you make existing trails better. For many years, this area has lacked adequate signage. This led to problems such as expensive lost-hiker rescues. Before dedicating Mount St. Helena and the nearby Palisades and Table Rock trails as Ridge Trail, we sought to improve these trails. Improper grades and faulty drainage have made portions of them hard to navigate.

Ridge Trail Steward John Aranson worked with the local fire department and State Parks to ensure that the signs addressed all of the stakeholders’ needs.

Former Trail Director, Moira McEnespy took the newly signed trail for a “test-hike” and reports, “The new signs look fabulous and I did not get lost!  There were quite a few folks out that day, so the new signs are keeping a lot of people safe and on the trail.”

The trails of Mount St. Helena will be officially dedicated soon, hopefully sometime this year, once Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District is able to assume management of the area. Patience and perseverance open all trails!

Molly and Donna’s 3-year section hiking adventure

See the stunning watercolors and photos that illustrate Molly and Donna’s trek

In May of 2013, Molly Shaw Deich was browsing through books at the John Muir National Historic Site visitor center in Martinez and came upon the Bay Area Ridge Trail official guidebook by Jean Rusmore. Having never heard of the Ridge Trail, she turned to her friend Donna Thomas and exclaimed, “I want to walk the Ridge Trail circuit!” Donna immediately responded, “Let’s do it!” One month later, their journey began.

Donna and Molly both live in Santa Cruz; they have busy lives so decided to tackle the Ridge Trail in segments when time allowed and completed the journey over three years.

Molly brings a unique perspective to the Ridge Trail exploration. She teaches sixth-graders earth science and is just receiving her doctor of education degree from UC Santa Cruz in science education. She also has a degree in physical geography from UC Berkeley. Walking on the ridges, she has been awed at how much the trail allows one to experience the region’s geology and the juxtaposition of the North American and Pacific plates. Their blog is filled with comments about the region’s unique geography.

Donna says, “Molly and I have both been struck by how the Ridge Trail allows you to get views of the bay and major peaks from hundreds of different vantage points.” Molly adds, “I grew up in Livermore, and I always saw Mt. Diablo from the same angle. Being on the Ridge Trail, I’ve realized how visible this remarkable landmark is, and I like seeing it from so many different perspectives!” Donna is also a Bay Area native, raised in Fairfax. They’re seeing their home turf in a whole new way.

They have appreciated the little things along the way: a swimming hole after a hot day of hiking in Napa County, spring-blooming buckeyes near Novato, the cool redwood forests on the Peninsula and in Marin County, the shade of majestic oaks on a record-hot day. All they see keeps them busy talking, and raises more questions—about the history, landscape, and geology. They return home and start looking things up. Molly says, “Up on the ridges, I can imagine what the Bay looked like when it was a broad valley in the last ice age, and I start to visualize historic animal migrations!”

Molly and Donna’s trip shows the possibilities for anyone wanting to walk the entire Ridge Trail route. They work out logistics by having an email list of about 30 friends and family around the Bay Area who they invite to join them and help out with rides (or they work out car shuttles on their own). They usually have company on the hikes, and by inviting friends and family, they’re expanding the group of Ridge Trail fans. They set realistic goals of walking the route when time allows. Donna emphasizes, “It’s important to be able to take walking vacations here, close to home.”

Visit their blog, to view Molly’s photographs and Donna’s beautiful watercolors.

Mount Umunhum Opens to Public September 18, 2017

The wait is over! A new mountain peak is opening for public access in the Bay Area for the first time in years. Mount Umunhum, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is opening with a series of celebrations and full public opening on September 18, 2017

“The view from the top is shockingly great,” exclaimed Bern Smith, the recently retired trail director for Ridge Trail. On a clear day, from its 3,486-foot peak, visitors can admire 360-degree views for nearly 150 miles from the new visitor observation platform.

Enjoy a 3.2 mile hike or ride on the Mt. Umunhum Trail from Bald Mountain parking area, then a 0.2 mile stair hike to the summit (see map, page 3). On the way up, explore the diverse geologic features of this inspiring landscape and observe the plant and animal life thriving in the challenging weather conditions of Mount Umunhum.

A total of 5.3 miles of new Ridge Trail is being dedicated, including a stretch extending south from existing Ridge Trail in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, along Barlow Road Trail, envisioned as part of a future grand southern loop.

By opening Mount Umunhum to the public, a new chapter begins, telling “…stories of the Native Americans who lived there for centuries, of the Air Force personnel who scanned  the skies during the cold war and of the settlers who tried to eke out a living in that harsh environment,” says MROSD General Manager Steve Abbors.

Now you too can visit and explore the iconic peak, whose name translates as “resting place of the hummingbirds” in the native Amah Mutsun tribal language.

 

Top 5 Ridge Trail Campouts

Stay a little longer and explore a little more of the Ridge Trail by extending your stay and camping out by the trail. Whether you’re looking for a great ‘stay-cation’ or a home base for exploring more of the trail, camping out on the trail is a great option for discovering more of your local wild. Here are five spots to camp along with a Ridge Trail hikes.

1. Samuel P. Taylor State Park
County: Marin
Most of this park’s campsites lie beneath majestic redwoods, with a few under oaks and bay laurel at the bottom of Barnabe Peak, and newly built cabins available as well (reservations are recommended). Bike along the creek, explore easy-to-moderate nearby trails, watch salmon spawn, and learn the story of the park’s namesake pioneer. More adventures await just next door at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Ridge Trail outings near this campground:
Samuel P. Taylor to White Hill Open Space
Bolinas Ridge to Samuel P. Taylor
All Ridge Trail North Bay Outings

Other resources:
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Info
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Camping Reservations

2. Anthony Chabot Regional Park
County: Alameda
Explore the wilderness hidden a few short miles from Oakland. The 3,314-acre Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers a beautiful, year-round public campground and 70 miles of hiking and riding trails. The campground features 53 drive-to tent campsites, 10 walk-to tent campsites, and seven group camping sites. Park Naturalists lead campfire programs at the campground amphitheater Saturday evenings from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Ridge Trail outings near this campground:
Redwood Regional Park to Bort Meadow in Anthony Chabot
Anthony Chabot Regional Park to Bort Meadow
All Ridge Trail East Bay Outings

Other resources:
Anthony Chabot Regional Park Info
Anthony Chabot Regional Park Camping Reservations
Anthony Chabot Regional Park Map

3. Joseph D. Grant County Park
County: Santa Clara
The largest of Santa Clara County’s regional parks, Joseph D. Grant features 10,000+ acres of rolling grassland and majestic oaks characteristic of the Santa Clara Valley foothills. Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 51-mile trail system and mountain bikes are permitted on over 75% of the park’s trails. Campers can choose from almost forty reservable family campsites and there is a large lake and several smaller ponds for warm water fishing.

Ridge Trail outings near this campground:
Edwards Trail Gate to Dutch Flat Trail Gate Map
Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve: Sierra Road to Lower Calaveras Fault
All Ridge Trail South Bay Outings

Other resources:
Joseph D. Grant County Park Info
Joseph D. Grant County Park Camping Reservations
Joseph D. Grant County Park Map

4. Castle Rock State Park
County: Santa Clara
If you feeling like an easy-ish backpack adventure, Castle Rock State Park offers backcountry campsites a short 2.5 mile hike away from the park’s main parking lot. The 20 campsites are well maintained and are equipped with fire pits, picnic tables, nearby potable water and bathrooms. Campsites are open year round on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations not available). If you feel like a change of scenery, hike on over to Sanborn County Park which also offers hike-in campsites.

Ridge Trail outings near this campground:
Saratoga Gap to Sunnyvale Mountain Staging
Sanborn County Park: John Nicholas Trail
All Ridge Trail Peninsula Outings

Other resources:
Castle Rock State Park Info
Castle Rock State Park Map

5. Bothe Napa Valley State Park
County: Napa
Located in the heart of wine country, this 1,900-acre park features features over 10 miles of hiking trails and offers tent sites, yurts, and restored historic cabins for overnight stays. On hot summer days bring a swimsuit and enjoy a cool plunge in the park’s spring fed swimming pool.

Ridge Trail outings near this campground:
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park Entrance to Traverso Homestead Map
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park: Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail to Palisades
Hood Mountain Regional Park
All Ridge Trail North Bay Outings

Other resources:
Bothe Napa Valley State Park Info
Bothe Napa Valley State Park Camping Reservations
Both Napa Valley Park Map

Looking for more curated adventures? Check out the Official Guide Book to the Bay Area Ridge Trail – it’s packed full of useful information for planning hikes, backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trips with maps, detailed trail descriptions, curated trips and more.

5 Family-Friendly Ridge Trail Hikes

Looking for your next fun family outing? Take in some fresh air and explore the great outdoors together with five of our favorite family-friendly hikes.

1. Skyline Ridge (Alpine Pond & Nature Center)
County: San Mateo
Description: Very short & flat
Mileage: 1
Elevation gain: none
Why we love it: Great for the smallest hikers, this includes a visit to the tiny but well-presented nature center at Alpine Pond. Sit for a snack at the benches and watch for ducks and other wildlife in the pond.

Skyline Ridge Map

2. Long Ridge (Peters Creek Trail)
County: San Mateo
Description: Short & flat, with longer options
Mileage: 2 and up
Elevation gain: flat unless you make a loop
Why we love it: Peters Creek is shaded and beautiful. Small hikers can take a moment to splash in the creek, and if you have sturdier hikers, a loop can be made by taking Long Ridge Rd back.

Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve Map
Long Ridge Preserve Map

3. Purisima Creek Redwoods (Purisima Creek trail, from Higgins-Purisima Rd)
County: San Mateo
Description: Beautiful redwoods, flat, with lots of options
Mileage: 1 or more
Elevation gain: flat, unless you create a loop
Why we love it: One of the most beautiful trails in the Bay Area! This trail is flat enough to bring a stroller but beautiful enough that even 10 minutes is stunning. For stronger hikers, the Craig Britton/Harkins Ridge trail will not disappoint.

Purisima Creek Redwoods Map

4. Tilden Regional Park (park at Steam Trains)
County: Alameda
Description: Big views for short hiking output.
Mileage: 2 and up
Elevation gain: Very small hills– if you take Vollmer Peak trail first, it will seem like more downhill than the opposite way.
Why we love it: On clear days from the Seaview trail, you can take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge on one side and Mount Diablo on the other. Plus, a visit to the Steam Trains afterward is a great hiking reward.

Tilden Regional Park Map

5. Moore Creek Park (Valentine Vista, return Moore Creek trail)
County: Napa
Description: Exposed trail with views up and down the valley surrounding Moore Creek, then a chance to play in shady Moore Creek.
Mileage: 4.6
Elevation: Climbing at the beginning but then mostly flat until it heads back down to the creek, then flat back to the parking lot.
Why we love it: Little known trails, beautiful views for a bit of tougher climbing, and shady Moore Creek provides excellent creek play opportunities.

Moore Creek Park Map

3 Ridge to Bridge training hikes and bikes

Start training for Ridge to Bridge
Ridge to Bridge is the Bay Area’s most gorgeous hike and ride through Marin to the Golden Gate Bridge. Hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians all join the fun with moderate to challenging options.
Want to sign up for a long hike, trail run, or mountain bike ride, but aren’t feeling 100% prepared?  These are 3 long (over 10 miles), challenging trails are designed to get you in shape and ready for the big day! If you haven’t already, register for Ridge to Bridge now!

NEW! Get Ridge Trail maps on OuterSpatial Mobile Map: 
Download OuterSpatial

1. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve: Mount Umunhum
County: Santa Cruz
Mileage: 8.1 miles one-way (Jacques Ridge Parking Area to summit) 16.2 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,435 feet/385 feet one-way (from Jacques Ridge)
Difficulty: Difficult
Accessibility: Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers

The Mount Umunhum Trail provides an opportunity to experience the mountain’s ecosystem before arriving at the 3,456-foot summit. Most of the well-graded uphill trail is in a bay, oak, and madrone woodland with sections opening up to fantastic views of the Santa Clara Valley. The summit provides unparalleled views of the Bay Area and the ocean, and an opportunity to learn about the mountain’s cultural and natural history through numerous interpretive panels. Be prepared for extreme temperatures and wind on the summit.

Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve: Mount Umunhum
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve: Mount Umunhum Map

Recharge at some of our favorite nearby spots:
Budget – Pomodoro Pizza
Moderate – Elements Contemporary Vietnamese Cuisine
Splurge – La Forêt

2.Mission Peak Regional Preserve and Ed R. Levin County Park
County: Alameda/Santa Clara
Mileage: 9.9 miles one-way, 19.8 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,190 feet/2,030 feet one-way
Accessibility: Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers

Climb through high grasslands past three lofty peaks that top a rugged ridgeline. You have views of rippling hills, tree-filled canyons, and bayshore marshlands from these exposed and often windy trails. You encounter some very steep segments in the final 4-mile descent to a pretty lake in a quiet valley. The side trip to Mission Peak’s summit is on a narrow, steep, and rocky trail; expect to see many people on their way to and from Mission Peak. Get an early start to do the climb before the day warms.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve and Ed R. Levin County Park
Mission Peak Regional Preserve and Ed R. Levin County Park Map

Recharge at some of our favorite nearby spots:*
My Shabu House
Naan-n-Masala
The Pizza Box

3. Lake Merced to Stern Grove, Stern Grove to the Presidio, San Francisco Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco via Ridge Trail!)
County: San Francisco
Mileage: 13.4 miles one-way, 26.8 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,320 feet/1,190 feet one-way
Accessibility: Hikers and mountain bikers

These 3 connected trails are the entire Ridge Trail route in San Francisco, crossing the city south to north. This first segment offers an opportunity to experience the natural side of San Francisco. On a mostly level route, you travel the length of Lake Merced, pass through residential neighborhoods, walk or ride by another freshwater lake in a sunny and protected glen, and visit iconic Stern Grove. In the next segment, San Francisco’s spectacular bay and ocean views reward you on gradual climbs along city streets and park paths. Visit a number of parks, playgrounds, and unique residential and commercial neighborhoods. The route takes you near Twin Peaks and Sutro Tower, and through Buena Vista Park and the Panhandle.
In the last segment, explore the charm, seclusion, natural wonders, and historic and cultural variety of the 1,491-acre Presidio. Stunning views await you on this trip through forests and along coastal bluffs that ends at the Golden Gate Bridge. Interpretive panels along the route provide information about the Presidio’s unique natural and cultural history. Be prepared for San Francisco’s foggy and breezy weather.

Lake Merced to Stern Grove
Lake Merced to Stern Grove Map
Stern Grove to Presidio via Twin Peaks, Mt Sutro and Golden Gate Park (reroute)
Stern Grove to Presidio via Twin Peaks, Mt Sutro and Golden Gate Park (reroute) Map
San Francisco Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge Map

Recharge at some of our favorite nearby spots:*
4.8 miles – West Portal
Sports Bars
Dubliner
McCarthy’s

Quick and Easy food
Nicer
5.8 Miles – Portola / Tower Market
Sports Bar

Miraloma Club

Quick and Easy food
Tower Burger

9 Miles – Cole Valley
Sports Bar

Finnegans Wake

Quick and Easy food
Padrecito

11 miles- Richmond District Clement Street
Presidio- You’ve made it!
Sports Bar

*Do you have a favorite spot we missed? Let us know! Email us at info@ridgetrail.org

Looking for more curated adventures? Check out the Official Guide Book to the Bay Area Ridge Trail – it’s packed full of useful information for planning hikes, backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trips with maps, detailed trail descriptions, curated trips and more.

3 Lunar New Year Hikes

Get out for Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year (January 25) is a big day of excitement and celebration. It’s an important time to reunite with family, have fun with friends, and start a new journey of growth. This “year of the Rat” brings opportunities for new beginnings, growth, and prosperity.

Some qualities “rats” have are friendliness, prosperity, and curiosity. Take advantage of new opportunities to build healthy habits, (getting outside, spending time with family) with these 3 hikes.  Each hike embodies a “rat-like quality” in its essence. The Lynch Canyon hike in the North Bay embodies curiosity due to its irregularly shaped rocks along the trail.  The trail at Coyote Creek in the South Bay embodies friendliness in all the birds and wildlife “friends” you could make on the trail. The trail through Five Canyons Open Space in the East Bay embodies prosperity by the abundance of stunning views of the bay and surrounding mountains.

NEW! Get Ridge Trail maps on OuterSpatial Mobile Map:
Must have the OuterSpatial app for the link to take you directly to the mobile map page.

1. Lynch Canyon Open Space and McGary Road
County: Solano
Mileage: Lynch Canyon segment, 4.3 miles one-way (plus 4.3-mile return to trailhead)
Difficulty: Moderate
Rat-like quality: Curiosity

Go as far as you like on this out-and-back or make a loop with some of the the adjacent trails. In Lynch Canyon, the Ridge Trail climbs and descends a series of grassy hilltops, and offers stunning 360-degree views. A distinctive feature along the spine of the preserve is a loose aggregation of irregularly shaped rocks graced by wind-sculpted live oak and bay trees.

Solano Land Trust is offering a docent-led hike on Lunar New Year, Saturday, January 25,  to discuss plant communities, landforms, and birds at Lynch Canyon.  Free registration here.

Lynch Canyon Map
More info on Lynch Canyon Open Space

Recharge at some of our favorite nearby spots:*
Chaats Cuisine Indian Food
The Loft Thai Fusion
Hinata Japanese Steakhouse

2. Coyote Creek Parkway North
County: Santa Clara
Mileage: 9.3 miles one-way
Difficulty: Easy
Rat-like quality: Friendliness

Coyote Creek travels 31 miles from the Diablo Range to San Francisco Bay. On this trail segment, follow the creekbed through shady riparian cover, parks, developed areas, and open fields to Metcalf Park’s freshwater lagoons, the habitat for many year-round and migratory bird species. The wide paved trail travels a nearly level course and is an excellent bike ride, popular with families on bicycles, especially on weekends.

Coyote Creek Parkway North
More info on Coyote Creek Parkway

Recharge at some of our favorite nearby spots:*
Julio’s Fresh Mex
Niji Sushi and Ramen

3. Don Castro and Five Canyons Parkway to Garin or Dry Creek Regional Parks
County: Alameda
Mileage: 10.6 or 11.2 miles one-way (includes a 0.2-mile connector on northern end and a 2.9- or 3.5- mile connector on southern end)
Difficulty: Moderate
Rat-like quality: Prosperity

This long stretch of trail is primarily on old ranch roads along the main ridge above Castro Valley, Hayward, and Union City. Mostly on open grassland, the trail offers unparalleled views of the bay and its surrounding mountains, as well as views out to the east. This section is best done as a car shuttle as it is about 11 miles one-way. Two miles of the trail’s midsection pass through the Stonebrae Country Club on golf paths and roads. Because Stonebrae is a gated housing development, it cannot serve as a trailhead for the general public.

Don Castro and Five Canyons Parkway to Garin or Dry Creek Regional Parks Map
More info on Don Castro and Five Canyons

Recharge at some of our favorite nearby spots:*
Boulevard Burger
The Burrito Shop
Pad Thai Cusine

*Do you have a favorite spot we missed? Let us know! Email us at info@ridgetrail.org

Looking for more curated adventures? Check out the Official Guide Book to the Bay Area Ridge Trail – it’s packed full of useful information for planning hikes, backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trips with maps, detailed trail descriptions, curated trips and more.

4 Short and Sweet Solstice Hikes and Bikes

Just because the days are short, doesn’t mean you can’t fit in a little time outside. Explore the Ridge Trail with these four short and sweet outings–perfect for a quick respite from the holiday bustle. A great introduction to discovering your local wild on the Ridge Trail and fun for people of all ages.

NEW! Get Ridge Trail maps on OuterSpatial Mobile Map:
Must have the OuterSpatial app for the link to take you directly to the mobile map page.

1. Tilden Regional Park
County: Alameda
Mileage: 1.8 miles (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy
This out and back hike starts at the Seaview trailhead in Tilden Park near Berkeley. The Seaview trail to Vollmer Peak offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels.  Dogs on leash are allowed. Explore the wilderness through eucalyptus and redwoods groves. Benches along the route offer opportunities to take in vistas of the East Bay Hills and San Francisco. Want something more? Plenty of extended treks are available.

If you do this hike on a Saturday, and you have any train enthusiasts in your group, be sure to visit Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train.)  The train is across the street from Seaview Trailhead and costs $3 per person. On December 19th and 20th of this year, Winterfest (holiday lights and crew in period costume) is taking place. The trains are running from 11 am – 7 pm.
Ridge Trail Tilden Park map including Inspiration Point and Steam Trains
Ridge Trail Tilden map on OuterSpatial
East Bay Regional Parks District map

2. Christmas Tree Farm Trail
County: Santa Clara
Mileage: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Starting at the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve/Horseshoe Lake main parking lot, take the Horseshoe Loop trailhead, make a left at the first intersection of the Horse Loop Trail. Follow the trail 0.4 miles, then turn left and follow the Tree Farm Trail 0.6 miles through the Skyline Ranch Tree Farm. This part of Skyline Ridge Preserve is scattered with the remains of an old Christmas tree farm. From 2003-2010, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District worked to restore this habitat. Many of those old trees still remain, and hikers can enjoy a unique view of coastal hillsides dotted with oversized Christmas trees.

If you don’t get your fill, the trail continues through the Skyline Ranch Tree Farm – a family-owned business that began in 1958 and continues to operate on 63 acres, where you can harvest your very own Christmas tree.
Ridge Trail Skyline and Russian Ridge Map
Ridge Trail Skyline map on OuterSpatial App

3. Helen Putnam Park
County: Sonoma
Mileage: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
This hike begins at the south trailhead on Chileno Valley Road near the playground, bathrooms, and picnic area.  Expect to cross grassy hillsides, weave through oak woodlands, and pass coast live oaks, coyote brush, and California buckwheat. Ridge-top trails provide panoramic views of Petaluma and the southern Sonoma County countryside. The trail ends at the bottom of the hill at Oxford Court.
Ridge Trail Helen Putman and Petaluma Map
Ridge Trail Helen Putnam map on OuterSpatial App

4. Mount Sutro Clarendon Loop
County: San Francisco
Mileage: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and step into a fantastic San Francisco oasis on Mount Sutro. Take in views through the eucalyptus of Golden Gate Park, the Sunset & Richmond neighborhoods, and the Marin Headlands. Start at the Stanyan and 17th St. trailhead, hike along the Historic Trail towards Clarendon Trail. Return via the Fairy Gates Trail, back to the Historic Trail, and back to the Stanyan trailhead.  Let your kids burn their extra energy off at nearby Grattan Playground.
Ridge Trail Stern Grove to Presidio Map
Ridge Trail San Francisco map on OuterSpatial App
Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve

Looking for more curated adventures? Check out the Official Guide Book to the Bay Area Ridge Trail – it’s packed full of useful information for planning hikes, backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trips with maps, detailed trail descriptions, curated trips and more.