Ridge Lines
S U M M E R - F A L L 2 0 0 7
O F T H E
Ridge Trail Dedicated in John Muir National Historic Site
At the trail dedication, hikers take a spur off the Ridge Trail to walk to Mt. Wanda's summit. Photos by
Elizabeth Byers.
J
ohn Muir wrote, “I only went out
for a walk and finally concluded
to stay out till sundown, for
going out, I found, was really going
in.” When Muir lived in Martinez
from 1882 to 1914, he often walked
the hills of his family’s ranch, and was
inspired by the land’s beauty. One of
his walks was to a nearby 660-foot
peak, which later was named for his
elder daughter, Wanda. Today, the
public can also walk or ride to Mt.
Wanda’s summit on a 1.25-mile trail,
a recent addition to the Bay Area
Ridge Trail.
Ridge Trail supporters celebrated
the dedication of this new multiuse
trail segment in the John Muir
National Historic Site on April 21—
John Muir’s birthday and this year’s
Earth Day. Held a mile up the trail on
an open meadow, the dedication was
co-hosted by the National Park Ser-
vice. The superintendent of the John
Muir National Historic Site, Martha
Lee, and Ridge Trail Council Execu-
tive Director Janet McBride welcomed
the dedication participants. Other
speakers celebrated the trail opening:
Kathy Hoffman, senior field represen-
tative for Congressman George Miller;
Paige D’Angelo, chief of staff for
Supervisor Mary Piepho; Joanne
Dunec, president of the John Muir
Association, and Linus Eukel, execu-
tive director of the Muir Heritage
Land Trust.
B A Y A R E A R I D G E T R A I L C O U N C I L
“We are pleased that through our
effort to include this trail on the Ridge
Trail route, bicycles are now allowed
for the first time. Our goal is to have
the entire Ridge Trail available for
hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and we
thank the National Park Service for
working with us to make this happen,”
says Ridge Trail Executive Director
Janet McBride.
Located between Alhambra Valley
and the town of Martinez, the Mt.
Wanda property is a beautiful land-
scape of grassland and valley, blue, and
coast live oaks. The summit of Mt.
Wanda, accessed just off the Ridge
Trail, offers sweeping views of Mt. Dia-
blo, the Carquinez Strait, Franklin
Ridge, and Briones Regional Park.
The Mt. Wanda trailhead is
located at Franklin Canyon Road and
Alhambra Avenue. The trail is an old
ranch road that climbs steeply through
oak woodland to the top of an open
ridge and extends to the property’s
western boundary. The Ridge Trail seg-
ment ends when it reaches private
land, but the hope is to eventually
connect to lands one-half mile to the
west owned by the Muir Heritage Land The Ridge Trail in the John Muir National Historic Site. Map by Ben Pease.
Trust, and then to East Bay Municipal
Utilities District lands. Near the end Trail circuit around the Carquinez tour the grounds of the historic site,
of the trail segment, a looping nature Strait, crossing both the Benicia- including the Muir house, and learn
trail turns off the ranch road and takes Martinez Bridge and the Al Zampa about the legendary John Muir.
the trail user down a ravine, through Memorial Bridge. –Elizabeth Byers
hillsides of oak woodland, and back to The 325-acre John Muir Historic
the ranch road. Site includes the Muir house, Mar- To get to the trailhead: From Highway 4
This new stretch of Ridge Trail tinez Adobe, and the Mount Wanda in Contra Costa County, exit at Alham-
links to an existing segment to property. This acreage was originally bra Avenue. Head south, then turn right
the north that crosses under part of the 2,600-acre Muir ranch, onto Franklin Canyon Road and make
Highway 4 and connects with but over the years was sold off. The an immediate left into the parking lot.
the California Riding and Hik- National Park Service purchased the
ing Trail, Carquinez Strait houses and grounds in the 1960s and Thanks to the John Muir Association and
Regional Shoreline, the city of the Mount Wanda property in 1993 the National Park Service for co-hosting
Martinez, and the Benicia-Mar- (with assistance from the Muir Her- the dedication and to Access Adventures,
tinez Bridge. In 2009, pedestrians itage Land Trust, which spearheaded East Bay Area Trails Council, John
will be able to cross the new a fundraising campaign). Highway 4 Muir Festival Center, Martinez Outdoor
bridge, linking to the Ridge Trail separates the houses from the Mount Sports Society, and to our many volun-
in Benicia. When the bridge Wanda property. teers. Thanks also to Peets Coffee & Tea
opens, it will be a significant step A hike on this newly dedicated for providing beverages.
toward creating a 50-mile Ridge Ridge Trail is an opportunity to also

COUNCIL NEWS
Our Volunteer Program Gains Momentum
Thanks to recent grants from the San Francisco Foundation and REI, we’re
boosting our volunteer program. In February, we hired Joel Gartland, former board
member, as our part-time volunteer coordinator (see next news item). Joel will
build our outreach and volunteer program and make it a sustainable and integral
part of our work. Although volunteers have always been the backbone of our orga-
nization—actively planning and advocating for the Ridge Trail in their
communities, building and maintaining trails, and leading trail outings—many of
our founding volunteers are retiring, so we are now bringing on our next genera-
tion of volunteers.
We’ve organized lists of volunteers, started regular e-mail communications,
offered first-aid training for leaders, increased the number of trail workdays, and
coordinated seven National Trails Day events this year. We’ve reached out to new
volunteers through Volunteer Match, Hands On Bay Area, Volunteer for Change,
and other services. Events like our annual Ridge-to-Bridge and the Ridge Trail
Cruz bring out volunteers for a day of fun on the trail—it takes many volunteers
to manage these complicated events.
Through our volunteer program, we will recruit and train new leaders for trail
outings and trail building, reach out to different user groups such as youth and
urban residents, introduce people to the Ridge Trail through organized special
events and regular outings, provide more opportunities for learning about trail
building and grassroots advocacy, and build strategic partnerships with other orga-
nizations. We’ve started working with REI on trail workdays, and last year, more
than 150 volunteers helped us out on the trail.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Joel Gartland at 415-561-2595
or volunteer@ridgetrail.org.
Volunteers help build the Napa Solano Ridge Trail.
Joel Gartland Joins Staff
We’re pleased that Joel Gartland joined our staff as volun-
teer coordinator in February 2007. A longtime Ridge Trail
member and volunteer, and a council board member for
seven years—including trail committee chair for the last two
years—he brings enthusiasm and indepth knowledge of the
Ridge Trail to this part-time position. A hiker and cyclist,
Joel grew up just north of Boston and attended Duke Uni-
versity, studying physics and computer science. He moved to
the Bay Area in 1994 and worked in the software industry before joining our staff.
He’s learned his way around the Bay Area through his volunteer work with the
Ridge Trail Council!
2
THE VIEW FROM HERE
Dear Friends,
This edition of Ridge Lines offers a chance to highlight and reflect
upon our major accomplishments in 2006. New trails were opened,
many new miles were carefully planned, and great events celebrated
not just the trail, but the people, partners, and energizing vision that
drive us forward.
Last year will long be remembered as the year we reached the mile-
stone of 300 miles of dedicated, permanently protected trail. What a great accomplishment!
Milestones remind us of how far we’ve come—and where we want to go. Personally, 2006 will
be remembered as the year I joined the Ridge Trail Council, although I was only on board for a
scant 10 weeks at year’s end. It’s been a pleasure getting “grounded” in Ridge Trail history and
lore, and plans for the future.
The recent Mount Wanda dedication lends support to the idea that good things come in sets
of three. We celebrated not just the dedication of a mile of trail (newly open to full multiuse),
but also John Muir’s birthday and Earth Day. John Muir was a great naturalist, hiker, and
wilderness evangelist who inspired momentous change in his time, and whose words continue
to inspire. He encouraged us to “climb the mountains and get their good tidings.” Muir also
could have been scripting today’s Earth Day message when he reminded us to “tug on any-
thing at all and you’ll find it connected to everything else in the universe.”
The synergy among the birthday, Earth Day, and dedication event is striking. The Ridge Trail
beckons us to climb our Bay Area ridgelines and absorb nature’s peace and good tidings. The
Ridge Trail vision also includes a completely connected trail linking people and communities to
each other and to permanently protected open space. Cause for celebration indeed!
Happy Trails,
Janet McBride
Executive Director
Volunteer Profile
Eva Laevastu, a loyal friend
to the Ridge Trail, has con-
tributed many hours over the
past three years. She not only
serves on the Solano Transporta-
tion Authority’s Pedestrian
Advisory Committee for the Bay
Area Ridge Trail Council, but
she helps out in the office by
updating our member database,
organizing photo files for our
website, and stuffing envelopes.
She serves on numerous other
county committees: the Solano
Transportation Authority Alter-
native Modes Committee,
Solano County Parks and Recre-
ation Commission, Solano Eva at the Lunch Canyon opening in May. Photo by Dee
County Citizens Advisory Com- Swanhuyser.
mittee for the General Plan
Update, and the Tri-City and County Citizens Advisory Committee. Eva com-
ments on her volunteer work: “After retiring, I had to decide what was important
to me and where to put my energies. The Bay Area Ridge Trail was at the top of
the list. I fully support the idea and enjoy working with all of the dedicated staff,
supporters, and volunteers to make the Ridge Trail a reality.”
Volunteers Help Plan the Trail and Staff Events
Left: Volunteer Eva Laevastu organized a meeting with volunteers and planners from Solano and Napa
counties to coordinate how the group could work together to close key gaps—including trail access to the
bridges, over Highway 680, and across other roadways, and connections at the Solano-Napa border.
Left to right: Melanie Denninger, Coastal Conservancy; Janet McBride, Ridge Trail Council; John
Woodbury, Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District; Robert Guerrero and Robert
Macauley, Solano Transportation Authority; Matt Walsh, Solano County Department of Environmental
Management; Kathy Blume, Ridge Trail Council board member; Kathy Hoffman, representative for US
Congressman George Miller; Dan Sykes, Solano County Parks; (kneeling) volunteer Eva Laevastu.
Photo by Dee Swanhuyser.
Above left: Board Member Kathy Blume helps out at a refreshment stop at Ridge-to-Bridge 2007. Photo by
Allison Stone.
Above right: A bike technician from the Saratoga REI store helps a ROMP (Responsible Organized
Mountain Peddlers) cyclist before the Ridge Trail Cruz ride. Photo by Karen Kidwell.
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Thanks to your support, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council made important strides
toward our goal of a continuous 550-plus-mile trail. Many new people learned
about the Ridge Trail and became involved in working toward its completion.
Following are some of the highlights of 2006.
Trail Dedications
In 2006, we celebrated a much-anticipated milestone: 300 miles of dedicated
Ridge Trail for permanent enjoyment. We added nearly 16 miles to the Ridge
Trail in Napa, Contra Costa, and Sonoma counties. The Crockett Hills and Hood
Mountain trails are on properties that just opened to the public, so not only did
we add to the Ridge Trail, but new lands were added to our Bay Area park system.
Yountville: In March, we dedicated 6.4 miles of pedestrian/bicycle lanes as a
Ridge Trail cross-valley route in Napa Valley. The trail parallels Solano Avenue,
Washington Street, and Yountville Cross Road. The council worked with the
Town of Yountville to incorporate the trail into the town pathways plan, deter-
mine an alignment, and make improvements.
Trail Planning
North Slope, Sonoma Mountain: The Sonoma County Agricultural and Open
Space District, working in partnership with Sonoma County Regional Parks, Cali-
fornia State Parks, the Ridge Trail Council, and Landpaths, completed planning
and design for a significant 4.5-mile Ridge Trail segment that links northern Jack
London State Historic Park to Sonoma Mountain Road. Although initially plan-
ning to build the trail in three separate phases, with support from the Coastal
Conservancy, the partners will now build the trail in one phase. Regional Parks
and State Parks will manage the trail.
Fernandez Ranch: Council staff collaborated with the Muir Heritage Land Trust
and Restoration Design Group to develop a trail plan for this beautiful 702-acre
parcel in Contra Costa County. Completed this year, the comprehensive plan
includes a one-mile Ridge Trail route, as well as an additional 2.5 miles of trail.
The plan calls for stream restoration, a 160-foot bridge, and a staging area. When
built, the Ridge Trail will connect to the East Bay Municipal Utility District
(EBMUD) Pinole Watershed, and eventually to Crockett Hills (to the north) and
the Feeder Trail (to the south).

Pinole Watershed: EBMUD, in

consultation with the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, adopted a habitat
conservation plan (HCP) for this
property east of Pinole. The council
partnered with EBMUD to establish
the best trail alignment, while
adhering to the HCP’s sensitive
habitat-protection requirements.
The new Ridge Trail route will
extend about 7.5 miles. Ultimately,
it will connect Sobrante Ridge
Botanic Park to the historic Feeder The open grasslands of the Pinole Watershed. Photo
by Janet McBride.
Trail #1. A dedication is expected
The Yountville dedication. Photo by Dee Swanhuyser. this year.

Vargas Plateau: We helped

Crockett Hills Regional Park: The East Bay Regional Park District opened its
fund a 2005 trail study for
new 1,300-acre park in June and the Ridge Trail Council dedicated its 300th mile.
Vargas Plateau to Garin/Dry
The 4.5-mile Ridge Trail segment climbs from the Crockett Ranch staging area up
Creek and followed up by
to open hills, which offer fantastic panoramic views. In the future, the trail will
providing support and com-
cross Highway 4 to the south and connect to the Fernandez Ranch, where a Ridge
ment on the 2006 East Bay
Trail segment is in the planning stages. With its Proposition 12 state park-bond
Regional Park District
funding, administered by the Coastal Conservancy, the Ridge Trail Council pro-
Vargas Plateau Land Use
vided a $100,000 grant for the staging area and trail improvements.
Plan—a blueprint for man-
aging the district’s 1,030-acre
landbanked property east of
Fremont. Under the plan, the
land will open to the public
for the first time, and include
Hikers participate in an organized outing on Vargas Plateau. a new staging area and 4.5
Photo by Steve Stiefvater. miles of new Ridge Trail.

Sanborn-Skyline County Park: With funding from the Coastal Conservancy, the
Santa Clara County Department of Parks & Recreation drafted a comprehensive
trails plan for this park, which proposes major improvements and two miles of
new Ridge Trail to add to the 4.4 miles of Ridge Trail already dedicated. We have
also been working with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to coordi-
nate a Ridge Trail connection between Sanborn-Skyline and new trail alignment
opportunities through the El Sereño Open Space Preserve to the south.

Hikers climb the Ridge Trail after the Crockett Hills dedication. Photo by Elizabeth Byers. La Honda Creek Open
Space Preserve: A new
master plan is addressing
Hood Mountain: With the expansion of the Hood Mountain Regional Park and
public access for this
Open Preserve, we added five miles to the Ridge Trail in October. The Sonoma
large preserve, which
County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District’s 2003 purchase of a
currently receives limited
307-acre property adjacent to the preserve provided access from Highway 12. To
use due to special-use
open up the south side of Hood Mountain, Sonoma County Regional Parks—with
permit restrictions. We
tremendous volunteer assistance—upgraded the access road, and built a 25-car
are working to establish
parking lot, equestrian-trailer parking, a trailhead, new multiuse trail segments,
the Ridge Trail alignment,
signage, drinking fountains, and restrooms. The Ridge Trail begins on the floor of
identify appropriate
the Sonoma Valley and climbs to the Hood Mountain Trail near the 2750' Mount
staging-area locations,
Hood summit, offering bird’s-eye views. The Sonoma County Regional Parks
and preserve full multi-
Department, Sonoma Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Bay
use on the trail. The
Area Ridge Trail Council, and Coastal Conservancy all contributed to funding the
Ridge Trail route should
acquisition and improvements.
add about five miles to
our network, and bring
us within one-half mile
of the El Corte de
Madera Open Space
Preserve to the north.

La Honda Creek Open Space

Preserve. Photo by Frank
Equestrians ride up the new Hood Mountain trail after the dedication. Photo by Elizabeth Byers. Crossman.

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Land Preservation and Public Access Bridge where hikers

gathered pledges to
Often, opening new miles of trail first requires us to obtain the right of public raise funds for the
access. We work closely with local public open-space districts and land trusts, and Ridge Trail; this
also directly with willing landowners, to preserve land for future trail easements. resulted in an addi-
Last year, outreach efforts continued in many areas around the Bay Area; often tional $1,000 being
these efforts take many years before an agreement or easement is finalized. raised compared to
In 2006, the council successfully negotiated the donation of a trail easement previous years. Many
on the Reichel property, located in Napa County’s Dry Creek Valley. This is the volunteers pitched
second trail easement acquisition by the Ridge Trail Council. The council also in—to lead hikes,
transferred two separate private property trail-access agreements to the Marin transport food and
County Open Space District. Comprising .2 miles of trail, these two private-prop- water, and work at
erty segments are located on the 10.7-mile Ridge Trail that opened in 2005, the rest stops.
between Loma Alta Open Space Preserve and Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
In the South Bay, the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority added a Wine Tasting: In
223-acre property to its holdings in the hills and canyons east of Alum Rock Park. April, the Benziger Photo by Pat Koren.
In combination with several previously acquired properties, more than 1,100 acres Family Winery in
have now been protected where six miles of the Ridge Trail will be routed. Glen Ellen hosted a special wine tasting for our year-end-appeal donors and other
supporters. Before the event, volunteers led a hike on the Ridge Trail in Jack Lon-
don State Park.

Fernandez Ranch: The Ridge Trail

Council participated in the Muir Her-
itage Land Trust’s gathering to celebrate
its acquisition of the 702-acre Fernandez
Ranch, located just south of Highway 4
and east of Pinole. The council is plan-
ning a trail segment through the
property. More than 300 joined the cel-
ebration, participating in hikes and
horse-drawn carriage rides and learning
about the projects that are underway,
including the Ridge Trail.
Photo by Scott Hein.

Tour de Fat: On a warm summer day, the annual Tour de Fat “Ballyhoo of Bikes
and Beer” in Golden Gate Park attracted a crowd. Ridge Trail volunteers served
beer and helped with set-up and take-down. New Belgium Brewing donated the
entire proceeds of the event, $14,000, to the council and the San Francisco Bike
The view from the Ridge Trail on San Geronimo Ridge in Marin County, where the council secured Coalition. We raised more than twice the amount we raised in previous years.
public access through two private properties. Photo by Elizabeth Byers.
East Bay Hills Ride: In the fall, 90 riders participated in the fifth annual eques-
trian ride, which raised $10,000 for the Bay Area Ridge Trail (the event raised
Multiuse Trail Access $5,000 and the Bay Area Barns and Trails Trust provided a generous $5,000
Our vision is for a continuous Ridge Trail that will accommodate all major trail user match). Organized by the Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s Association and co-spon-
groups, including hikers, bikers, and equestrians. We work to ensure that these sored by the Metropolitan Horsemen’s Association, the five-day ride covered 50
groups have access on the main alignment or, if that is not possible, on a viable miles on and connecting to the Ridge Trail.
alternative. Ensuring
good multiuse access can Ridge Trail Cruz: In October, more
be challenging in areas than 80 Ridge Trail supporters—hikers,
where trails are narrow or bicyclists, and equestrians—joined us
use restrictions apply. for this event’s inaugural year. The Cruz,
Also, some trails cur- modeled after Ridge-to-Bridge, takes
rently being designed to place on the Ridge Trail in the Santa
serve as alternative Cruz Mountains—Sanborn-Skyline
transportation routes County Park, Castle Rock State Park,
can be challenging for and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Teenage hikers and board member Thomas Beck
equestrians. District preserves. This event is designed nearing the end of the 23-mile hike. Photo by
In 2006, we achieved for all trail-user groups, including chil- Karen Kidwell.
full multiuse (new bicy- dren and youth. Hikers and riders raised additional funds through a “Cruzathon.”
cle access) for a Ridge Volunteers, as well as the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, REI, and
Trail segment in the ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Peddlers) provided invaluable assistance.
John Muir National
Historic Site in Contra Rock-to-Rock: Over a four-day period, Ridge
Costa County; Santa Trail supporters Bob Siegel and Janet Elliot
Clara County Parks hiked a contiguous 65-mile section of the
drafted a new policy Ridge Trail from Mussel Rock in Daly City to
that allows bicycle Big Rock in Marin County. Along the way,
access to about 20 miles other friends joined the trip, and Ridge Trail
within Sanborn-Skyline staff and board members provided support and
Park; and we advocated encouragement.
for multiuse access in La
Honda Creek Open
Space Preserve, where Janet Elliot and Bob Siegel at Big
current access is Rock. Photo by Pat Koren.
restricted to hikers and Annual Lunch: One hundred Ridge
equestrians. Trail supporters—hikers, equestrians,
and bicyclists—attended our year-end
Bicyclists and hikers on the Ridge Trail in Solano County’s Lynch lunch and auction on October 28 at the
Canyon. Photo by Dee Swanhuyser. Alpine Lodge in Mill Valley. At the
event, we honored two exceptional Bay
Left to right: Sharon McNamee, Marin County
Area Ridge Trail volunteers—Marin
Ridge Trail Events Department of Parks and Open Space; Ralph
County Committee Chair Barbara Weitz Mihan, Ridge Trail Council board member;
Ridge-to-Bridge: More than 145 people participated in the tenth annual Ridge- and Marin County Supervisor Steve Maureen Gaffney, mountain-bike-ride leader;
to-Bridge in April, hiking 30, 20, or 13 miles on the Ridge Trail, and ending at Kinsey. Many people participated in the Steve Kinsey, Marin County supervisor; Robert
the Golden Gate Bridge. This was our first Ridge-to-Bridge held without event event’s morning outings. With the silent Piper; Bill Long, Ridge Trail Council chair.
co-founder Barbara Weitz, who was accepting a lifetime achievement award at the Photo by Dee Swanhuyser.
auction, we raised more than $10,000
California Trails and Greenways Conference. This was also the first Ridge-to- from the event.

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Staffing Financial Statement

Since October, Janet McBride has served as our new executive director. Janet
came to us with years of experience working on trail and planning projects. With 2006 TOTAL INCOME
Janet at the helm, we have been moving steadily toward our goal of completing
the Ridge Trail. Bern Smith joined the staff in June as our South and East Bay State Park Bonds $ 232,873
trail director.
Membership 171,378

Individuals 132, 765

Net Assets Released 96,704

Trail Construction Grants 68,660

Events 55,571

Foundations/Corporations 25,233

Earthshare/Workplace Giving 19,771

Interest 1,057

Total Income $ 804,012

2006 TOTAL EXPENSES

The Bay Area Ridge Trail staff. Clockwise from top left: Karen Kidwell, John Aranson, Martha
Benioff, Bern Smith, Janet McBride, and Dee Swanhuyser. Not pictured: Joel Gartland. Trail Planning, Coordination, $ 415,149
and Construction

Trail Funding Member Services 105,617

Proposition 40: With a multiyear $1.2 million planning grant from the State Administration 95, 743
Coastal Conservancy, we’ve been able to plan for new Ridge Trail segments by
negotiating with willing private landowners, preparing trail feasibility studies, Fundraising 95,294
designing trails, and preparing and reviewing environmental documents. Our
current grant extends through March 2009. In 2006, the Prop 40 planning grants Trail Construction Grants 68,660
provided nearly 30 percent of our income and the Prop 40 trail construction
grants provided another 9 percent. Trail Outreach 50,931

Ridge Trail Grants: In close partner- and Communications

ship with the State Coastal
Conservancy, we continued our Total Expenses $ 831,395
competitive Partner Grant Program,
which provides funding to design
and build the Ridge Trail. In June
2006, we provided a $50,000 grant 2006 TOTAL INCOME: $ 804,012
for the Milpitas Berryessa Study Area
Trail Plan. Later in the summer, a Foundations/
release of about $500,000 from Corporations
Earthshare/ 3.1% Interest
Proposition 40 allowed us to issue a 0.1%
Workplace Giving
call for new grant applications. We 2.5%
received nine project applications
from around the region—four plan- Events
ning projects and five construction 7% State Park
projects. Council staff took the lead Bonds
in reviewing, analyzing, and prioritiz- Trail Steward John Aranson reviews trail construction Net Assets 29%
drawings with trail builder Jim Jacobsen. Photo by Released
ing the proposals. We then 12%
Holly Van Houten.
coordinated closely with the Coastal
Conservancy to bring projects forward for funding consideration, and in January, its Trail
Individuals
board approved a $60,000 planning grant for the Milliken Trail Plan. Formal action 16.5% Construction
on the remaining funding requests will move forward in 2007. 8.5%
Membership
State Park Bond and County Measures: The November election secured new 21.3%
funding for parks and trails in the Bay Area. Voters approved state Proposition 84,
the $5.4 billion Clean Water and Coastal Protection Bond Act. In Napa County,
voters approved the formation of a Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space
District, funded by Napa County. Sonoma County voters approved the Sonoma
County Open Space, Clean Water, and Farmland Protection Measure, which
extended a quarter-cent sales tax from 2011 to 2031 to fund the work of the
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. This new 2006 TOTAL EXPENSES: $ 831,395
state and local funding will help us get more miles of Ridge Trail in place.

Mapping Administration
With funding support from the State Coastal Conservancy and a long-standing 11.5%
partnership with GreenInfo Network, we now have an up-to-date GIS database
system with mapping capability. This powerful tool allows us to accurately moni- Trail Planning,
Member
tor and track trail planning and development, as well as create comprehensive Services
Coordination 12.7%
maps for both planning work and special projects. and Construction
49.9%
Fundraising
Outreach 11.5%
We published an attractive booklet called New Trails, Trail
designed to supplement The Official Guide to the Bay Area Construction
Ridge Trail (by Jean Rusmore, published by Wilderness Press) Grants
until the release of the next edition. It features the twelve Trail 8.3%
Outreach
trails dedicated since 2002, and contains detailed directions and Communications
and maps. 6.1%

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Thanks to all our 2006 donors! William Boeckmann Bruce Finch Ron Karpel Dr. David Oakes Bruce Snyder Helen Yan
B Bollinger Steven Finley Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kase Jeffrey Oda Thomas Snyder Jeff Yost
SUPPORTERS OF OUR Charles W. Reese Ross and Jess Millikan Don Bradley Mary Lou Fitzpatrick Alan Kates Kazuhisa Ohta Charlie Sobeck Douglas and Terry Young
WORK TO BUILD THE Toni Rembe and Arthur Rock Clayton Mitchell Margaret Bales Brady Paul R. and Kathleen Patricia Kates Karen Okusu Michael Sogard John and Edel Young
RIDGE TRAIL: Mary Ellen Richey Guy Morley Karen Brems Fitzpatrick Jim and Barbara Kautz Stephen Oliva and Sarah Jerome Solari James Yurchenco and
Kathryn and Robert Riddell Paulette and Sandy Muir David and Alice Brew Susan Flagg and Carlo Beth Keer Luis-Lopez Michael Sosin Amy Lauterbach
The California Coastal
Matthew C. Rogers Judith Nadai Ann and Steve Brick Rocca Vannie Keightley Susan Opp and John Gary Spratling Stefanie Yurus
Conservancy, and the voters
John and Martha Ross Naomi Nakashima, M.D. Carl and Lisa Brodsky Robert Flanagan Michael Kelley Bonsignore Richard Stanley Jody Zaitlin
of California whose support
Jean Rusmore Craig Needham Brian Brosnahan Robert Flint John and Jennifer Kelly Erna Ordeman Ms. Jean Starkweather Donald and Suzanne
makes our park-bond fund-
R. Bruce Scarborough, M.D. Morris Older Geoff Brosseau Christa Foerchtgott Michael Kennedy Orinda Garden Club David Steinberg Zimmerman
ing possible.
Michael and Mary Schuh Janet Oulton Lisa Broughton Robert Forrest Carol Kersten Orinda Hiking Club Nancy Steinhaus Anonymous (Howard
Andrew Sessler Wendy Page Alice Brown Ron Foster Randy Keyworth G. C. Orman Wolfgang and Claire Steitz Swann and Anita Dyer)
Earth Share of California
Paul and Kathleen Leanne Palmer Allan Brown Molly Fraker Jerry Cahill and Kathleen Kenneth Otteson Josh Stern Anonymous (Mary Elena
and its members who sup-
Sidenblad Armando and Bertha Judie Brown Thomas and Pamela Frame King Thomas Owen Kathleen Stern Goodan)
port us through their
Robert Siegel and Patricia Palomar Robert Brown W. J. Frank Robert Kissick William Palley Marjorie Stern Anonymous (Virginia
workshare giving programs.
Koren Roberto and Dalia Perelman Stephen and Ann Brown John Fricke G.E. Kleeman Ron Park D. F. Stevens Hammerness)
Sandra G. Sommer Regina Phelps Josephine H. Brownback S. H. Friedberg Pat Koch Michael Parker Kathy Stewart
$5,000 AND MORE:
Patrick Waite Robert Piper and Patricia Katherine Brubaker John and Barbara Doug and Jeanne Korns Sheri Parker Clyde Stiteler MEMORIAL AND
Bay Area Barns and Trails Barbara Walker Boyd Susan and Dennis Bruch Friedenbach Manish D. Kothari and Leighton Parks Nathan Stoll HONOR GIFTS:
S. D. Bechtel, Jr., Foundation Justin Walker and Beatrice Jeff and Alison Poetsch Ellen R. Bryant Robert Friese Carmen Saura Kimberly Parry Sandor and Faye Straus
Mark Jon Bluth Yormark David Promer Sara Chenette, in honor
Catherine Bryg Robert Fruehsamer Dawn Kovell Donald A. Patterson Mr. and Mrs. Robert J.
Dinesh and Joy Desai Mrs. Diane B. Wilsey Questa Engineering of Jean Rusmore
David Buchanan Ed Fry Jennifer Krebs Timothy Patterson Streich
Patricia and Ted Eliot Chuck Wilson Corporation Eleanor Hull, in memory
Elizabeth Buchner Vincent Fuller, III Josephine Kreider John Pauly Curtis Strommen
Giant Steps Foundation H. James Wulfsberg R.O.M.P. of Hal S. Decker
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jim Galvin Doris Kretschmer Anita Pearson Kim Stryker and Mark
Lisa and Douglas Goldman R. Terrence Rendleman Jessica Lashbrook, in
Bureker Ann Ganesan Betsy Krieg Linda K. Persson and James Anderson
Fund $250 - $499: E. Michael Reyes, M.D. honor of Anna Sophia
Sharon Burke Peter B. and Kelly A. Marianne Kristofferson G. Little Michael Stuber
New Belgium Brewing Stephen and Beth Robie Drumm
The Winifred & Harry B. Bob Cant Garner Duane Kromm and Marilyn J. Julien Phillips Ronald Stump
John S. Osterweis Ann Rosenberg Sherrill Lavagnino, in
Allen Foundation Lisa Capaldini Toni Garrett Farley Teresa Picchi and Joel Linzer Shelley Sweet
Recreational Equipment, Inc. Bernard Ross honor of Rick Rornbach
Robert Archibald Anne-Marie Caple Russell Garvin Bill Krumbein Judith Pierce Charles Lawrence Swezey
Susan Speicher Jack and Lynne Rosser Karen Seaward, in honor
Edward Arens Louis Caputo and Rose Alison Geballe John Kunz Lisa Pohmajevich Paul Szymanski
Anonymous (3) Shuny Sagara of the wedding of Jana
Barry and Jo Ariko Eufinger Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Rebecca Kurland Harvey Poppel Rowland Tabor
Gary and Judi Salvadori Olson and Roger Carr
David Arpi and Natalie Charles W. and Gretchen Geballe Susan F. LaMarca Rita Poppenk Richard and Ann A.
$2,500 - $4,999: W. Ferrell Sanders Staff of the Bay Area
Gubb Carlson Gloria Gee John Landis and Bonnie Darwin and Donna Poulos Tavan
Robert and Doris Mae Ridge Trail Council, in
John Harrington Wilma Austern Paul Carmichael Stephen Gelardi Berch James R. Pray Roger and Sherry Taylor
Sandie memory of Janet
Bill Long and Teili Ma Bonnie and Michael Barr Alice Carouba Daniel Gelbaum Robert Lang William Preston Perry Teaff
Michael Santullo McBride’s mother
Mary W. Novak, Beth Novak Brad Baugh Bryce Carroll Ellen Gilkerson and Leslie Victoria Langenheim Lucy and Dave Proulx Alan and Janie Teitelbaum
Milliken, and Spotteswoode Marian Beard Robert Sargent Patrick and Carla Carstens Lamport Barbara Lanier and John Don and Sandie Pugh Donna Tendler
Robert and Caprice COMPANIES THAT
Vineyard & Winery Steven Berger and Paula Scott Carter Judy Gillette and John Price Wilson David and Allison Puglisi Carter P. Thacher
Scarborough MATCH THEIR
Barbara and Leon Weitz Hughmanick Kevin Castner Susan G. Ginsky Mary Lanier Sandford Purviance James F. Thacher
Stephen and Jeanne Schapp EMPLOYEES’ GIFTS:
Annika Berridge JoAnne Castro Walter H. Girdlestone Denny Lanterman Charles Purvis John and Carry Thacher
$1,000 - $2,499: David L. Berry Dr. and Mrs. Philip Schild Mark Cator Donald Glaser Eric Larkin Leslie Rall John Thiele Applera Technologies
Jerry and Celeste Binnings Bruce Schine John and Pamela Caywood Laurie Glover Bruce Larsen Amy Rao Brian and Carolyn Bank of America
Phil Arnold Kevin Schoenfeld
Christopher P. Booth Jeff Chaidez Mark Goldberg William G. Larsen, Jr. Bert and Anne Raphael Thiessen Foundation
Steven and Beth Bangert Rena Schonbrun
Janet Bowman Gordon B. Chamberlain Marilyn Goldhaber Eileen Laspa Art and Pat Ravicz Lakshman Chevron Corp.
Linda Brownrigg Richard and Cynthia
Randy J. Brabham Kerry and Julia Champion Seth Goldsmith Sherrill Lavagnino Chuck Reed Thiruvenkatachari Gap Foundation
Thomas Carlino Simons
Mark and Jenny Stephen and Peggy Peter Goldstein Richard and Emmy Lou John W. and Elizabeth Reed JoAnn Thomas Genentech
Alison Chaiken Patricia Snow
Brandemuehl Chapman Pamela L. Gordon Lavenstein Karen B. Rehder Richard Thomas Google Matching Gifts
Ronald and Susan Codd Steven Springsteel
Diane Brandt Steven Chapman Robert and Helga Grabske Lynne Law William and Elizabeth Reilly Jody Thompson Program
Comcast John Sutter
Melvin and Anna Brown Alicia Chazen Thorsten Graeve Paul Laws Rebecca Reis Sandra Tichenor IBM International
Tony Crabb and Barbara Dee and Peter Swanhuyser
Ron and Joan Brown Anthony and Sharon Gilbert Graham Catherine Lee and Pamela William and Carolyn Reller Daniel Tjoa Foundation
Grasseschi Neil and Beverley Sweeney
Stuart H. Brown Chen Kim and Susan Graham Reaves Stephen Rentmeesters Jack Tolvanen Intuit Foundation
Peter Danzig and Lava Sara Syer
Margery Bushman Sara Chenette James and Sharon Grant Margaret Lee Barbara and David Rice Jodi D. Torres Levi Strauss Foundation
Thomas John Takayama
Elizabeth Byers and Mark Dr. and Mrs. David Edward and Madelyne C and M Leith Craig Rice, M.D. Marcia Toruno Merrill Lynch
Richard Gale Dr. and Mrs. Gary Tamkin
Cavagnero Chittenden Greaves Carol Leonard Robert Rinauro Peter and Sue La Tourrette PG&E Matching Gifts
Clinton and Mary Gilliland Sarah Tasker and Ken Grant
John Caner and George Gary Chock E. M. Greenawalt Anthony Leuin and Jean Donna Robbins Elizabeth Traugott REI
Ann Grove David Taylor
Beier Jim Chong Robert Greene Bertrand Roberta L. Robins Frank J. Tsai SAP
Garrett Gruener Richard S. Taylor and Tracy
Thomas J. and Judith Cerny Ronald and Susan Choy Deon and Eldon Gresham Roy Levin Leigh and Ivy Robinson Gregory and Sharon Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Hover Family Trust Grubbs
Tim and Elizabeth Choate Carol Christensen, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Leonard Leving Paul Rodwick Turetzky Tyco Matching Gifts
Steven and Alison Hussey Steve Terwilliger
Bob Colby Anne Marie Clark Grether Mimi Levison Margaret Rogers Russ Turnbull and Kathy Program
Lee and Wini Jebian Gary Thompson
Burton Corsen David Clark Wendy Grossman Brad and Regina Lewis Carina Roque Craig Willis Lease Finance
Katz Family Foundation Jerry Torrance
Robert and Juliette Cowell Stephanie Clark Jommer A. Gryler Frank Lin Daniel Rosen John and Mary Turner Corporation
Joyce A. Kaumeyer David Towle and Luvonne
Hollis Lenderking Jed and Sue Cyr Jan Clayton Robert and Lonnie Guinn Mark and Jo Linder Lisa Rossi William E. Turner
Pat Dallam and Mike Harper Stewart Tim Cleere David and Deanna Melina Linder Henry and Beverly Rowen Holly Van Houten IN-KIND DONORS:
Tom Marx James Townsend
Lee and Linda Meier Kristi Davis Spencer Clevenger Gustavson Dorothy Lindheim Cynthia and Allen Ruby Scott Van Tyle 3Bo Restaurant
Donna Dubinsky and Kim Vorrath Christine Coates Charles Haas The Rev. Eliza Linley Stephen and Francine W. Bradley Vest
Tom and Karen Mulvaney Al Baumann
Leonard Shustek Decker Walker Tom Coates Gerhard Haas Ed and Linda Liscom Ruvolo Sharon Vick
Craig and Maja Ramsey Benziger Family Winery
Paul and Karen Eisele Li-Hsia Wang and Henry Barbara and Morton Kathleen Haase David Loeb Marc D. Ryerson Bruce and Alie Victorine
Dorine Real and Lee Tepper Buck’s Restaurant
Harold and Marian Ellis Abrons Cohen John and Ann Hagedorn Mari Loria Stephen and Elizabeth Grace Voss
Shauna Rose and Raymond Central Market
Harry Englebright and Eve Ron Weaver and Linda Nancy Cohen Matt Hahne Los Viajeros Riding Club Salveter Mr. and Mrs. Glenn C.
Sullivan Clif Bar
Somjen Dyson-Weaver Samuel Cohen Donna Halow Paul Ludmer Joseph Saveri Voyles
The Rosengarten-Horowitz Club One and Robin
Robert Epstein Susan Weaver Karen Collins Rosemary Hamerton-Kelly Edward and Carol Lyke Ms. Charlotte Schatz, RN Dr. and Mrs. John Wachtel
Fund Klaus
Evan Evans, III Kent and Lisa Webber Richard Colton Syd Hammill Helen Madsen James and Erica Schleicher Janet and Julien Wade
Peter Rosmarin Dolphin Charters
Luke Evnin and Deann Sharon Wheatley and David Darius McKinney Contractor Douglas Hanford Salem Magarian Diane Schmidt Ken and Christina
Connie and Dr. James Allen Fish and the
Wright Shapiro Gary and Susan Conway Philip Hanley and Linda Pamela Maloney W. Schneider Waldeck
Shapiro Golden Gate Raptor
James Foran James P. Wiggins Gary Cook Eastman Barbara and Francesco Walter Schnitzius Michael and Pamela
Patricia and Michael Soffel Observatory
Cindy and George Fosselius Dock Williams Robert and Renate Chris J. Hannafan Mancia Paul and Patty Schoch Walford
Tarbell Family Foundation Fox Shox
Michael Frederich Lynne Witte Coombs David Hansen Timothy Mann Patricia Schonberg Susan Walling
William Laney Thornton Fuzzy Duds
Robert Friend Ruth L. Zamist Jane Cooper June Harman J. C. Manning Richard and Therese David Walsh
Charles and Andrea Thurber Maureen Gaffney
Lisa Fuller and D. A. Ten Anonymous (3) Larriane Corder Alan Harper Vickey and John Manning Schoofs Judith Walsh
Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s Hildy Gallagher
Association Grotenhuis Rob Coulman Brent and Nanette Harris Linda and Bill Manry Mary Schramke Jimmy Wang Joel Gartland
Maureen E. Gaffney $100 - $249: Agnes Coulon William and Carol Harrison David Maris Jo and Albert Schreck Mr. David Ward
TOSA Foundation Don Herzog
Transportation Alternatives Hildy Gallagher John and Heather Abbis Jon Cox and Catherine Reece K. Hart Glenn Martinson Jean Schulz and Brooke John Waterbury Karen Kidwell
for Marin Garrod Farms Riding Stables Rick Abbott Wiehe Kate Hartley David Matchett Clyde Jeff Weaver Steve Kinsey
Fred and Barbara Winslow Diane Gibson Willy and Charles Adam Kenneth C. Crandall Ann Hatch David and Theresa Brian Schumacher David Wegenka Paul Korhummel
Zae Winter Ronald Ginder Beverly Adams John and Janet Creelman Michael Heathman Mathiasmeier Patricia Scofield Carl J. and Gerry I. Bill Long
Anonymous (3) Nancy Golden Jan Adams Patricia and Christopher Cheryl Hebert Steve Matson Donna Scott Weinberg Magic Theatre
Edward Goodstein and Stephen Album Cross Monica Heidelberg Philip and Dana Matthews Karen and Ross Scroggs Ilene Weinreb Janet McBride
$500 - $999: Francesca Eastman Diana Aldrich Michael and Diane Lyn Hejinian James May Yudith Segev Morton Weinress Midpeninsula Regional
Mr. and Mrs. James Greene, Jr. Michael Alexander Culbert Stephen Heller and Therese Pat Potter McAndrews John Semion Gunnar Wennerberg Open Space District
Access4Bikes Donald Gregory Vicki Alexander Gail Currey Hickey Drew McCalley Gerald and Susan Serventi James and Janet Maria Mihanovich
Bruce and Martha Atwater Martha Guthrie Jeffry and Teri Allen Sally Daniel Bonnie Herman Mr. and Mrs. Tim McCarthy Haim Shafir Wenninger Miwok Stables
Robert and Jean Baer Stephanie and Gary John Allen Ellen Daniell Robert and Janet Hermsen Jon McCarty Connie and Kevin Andy Werback Mountain Play
Neil and Gene Barth Hargrave Ruthanne Allen-Hunt and Christopher Dann Lorraine Hern Gregory and Karin McClune Shanahan Robert and Karen Napa Valley Bike Tours
Al Baumann Janet and Richard Hart John Hunt Robert and Loni Dantzler Panda Hershey John McCorduck Mr. Kurt Shaver Wetherell Mary W. Novak, Beth
Steve and Terry Beck Ross and Karen Heitkamp John Amarant Judy Davidson Michael G. Herstine Sally McCraven Robert and Nancy Sheets Juliette Wheeler Novak Milliken and
Martha Benioff Michael and Juliet Helft Peter C. Anderson Linda Davis Robert Heyse Willinda and Peter McCrea Alistair Sherret Siv Wheeler Spottswoode
Mark Bennett Jane Hiatt and Robert Pearl Randy Anderson Bunny Dawson Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Hicks, II Marshall McDonald Clement and Shari Shute Mary Ellen White and Morris Older
Bicycle Trails Council of Douglas Highsmith Rick Anderson Daniel Dawson and Janice Jane Hicks Edgar McEachron Sierra Club Bay Chapter Jack Morton Brian O’Neill and the
Marin Frederick and Leelane Hines Eugene and Patricia Angell Frazier Ella Hirst Jody McGeen Backpack Section Russell Wiitala Golden Gate National
Rachel Blatt Peter Hively Maryann and Jim Annunziata Marshall Dawson Richard and Sandra Nancy McKown Sierra Club - Solano Group Wildcat Cove Foundation Recreation Area
Richard C. Blum Robert Hoffman Dennis Antenore Judith Dean and Ben Hitchcock Thomas McManus Judy K. Simmons Fred Wilhelm Peet’s Coffee & Tea
Kathy Blume Philip and Colleen Robert Arko and Aura Encisco Linda Hoch Marcia McNally and Randy Michael Simpson Michel and Susan Johnson REI
Dana Chaiken and Susan Hollenbeck Oslapas Paulette DeFalco Dagmar Hoheneck Hester Ronald G. Simpson Willey Saitone’s Horse Trailers
Roll Nancy Holter Connie and Pat Ash Arline and Peter Dehlinger Richard Holden Sharon McNamee Gail Maureen Skinner Kraig and Susan Williams of Petaluma
Elizabeth Cziraki William Hudson Shelley and Dan Ash Dorothy DeProspero and Robert Holden Dan McNear Paul and Betty Skov Sam Williams and Ann Ryan Schroeder
Richard and Beth DeAtley Sheri Scott Huette John Ashley Gerald Glaser Elizabeth Holloway J. A. McQuown Janet Small Adams Sierra Club - Clair
David Devine Josh and Heather Huffard Karen Axelsson Diablo Arabian Horse Fenwicke W. Holmes Judith M. Mecham Timothy and Lucy Tina Williams Tappaan Lodge
Brendan Dyson Dwight Jaffee and Lynne Cathy Baird and Stan Karp Association Alan Holroyde M. Carol Rhine-Medina and Smallsreed Ann Williamson Bern Smith
Judith C. Etheridge Heinrich John and Susan Baird Patricia A. Diamond David Hopkins Jose Medina Alan and Patricia Smith Nicholas Willson Sandy Sommer
Mark Evanoff Chris Jensen Robert Baird John DiCello Dennis Hopkins Shawn Mehaffey Bern Smith Connie Wilson Dee Swanhuyser
Bruce and Janet Fischer Phillip and Katharine Mark Baker Jim Dickerson Lawrence A. Hosken Thomas T. Mein Bill Smith Marilyn Winningham Peter Swanhuyser
Norman Fritz Johnson Rod and Cris Baker Kerry L. Dickinson Daniel Hoth and Kim Steven R. Meyers Jordan Smith Teri Wiss Barbara Weitz
Annie Gardiner Jan Kohlmoos Carolyn Sorensen Balling Juanita Dickson Regan Karri and Pete Michell Marcus Smith Lynne Withey Wilderness Press
Robert Green Lynda Korsan Julie Barney Bernard Dietz, D.D.S. Sally Houston Carol Miller Patricia A. Smith Osa and Greg Wolff Deborah Young
Victor Gross Yvonne Koshland Frank Barrett Pete Docter Laura Howard David Miller Richard C. and Sandra A. Dawna Wolfson David Zebker
George Helder Barbara Kosnar Thomas R. Baruch Brian Dodd Sara and Kip Howard Thomas E. Miller Smith Weldon and Carol Wong
Donald and Gloria Herzog Marion Kramer, M.D. Jason and Lynn Baskett Clayton F. Drake James J. Huang William Miskovetz Shelly Smith and Neal Wilma Wool
Jorgen and Marion Lawrence Kuechler Robert and Elisabeth Daniel and Lee Drake Nadine A. Hubbell Dave Mlodzik and Lynnette Kramer Mary E. Woolpert
Hildebrandt Anne K. Le Blanc Bathgate Katherine Duffy G.B. Huber Orme Wesley and Jill Smith Marina Wright
Kathy Hoffman Jan Leimert and Bob Miller Frank S. Bayley Alan and Mimi Edgar Susan Hudak and Steve David and Mary Ann
Maurice and Jan Holloway Thomas Lipkis Gary and Autumn Bea Nancy Elliot Tomlanovich Moffitt
Ron Howie Maria and Helmut Lippert Richard Beal and Andrea Sari Ellovich Elizabeth Hudson Monterey Bay Equestrians
Rod and Jonnie Jacobs The Endurance Fund Mary Huisman Tim Morgan
Fred Kanter
Susie Livingstone and Russ
Pritchett
Biren
Steve and Jane Beck Lyndall Erb Bill Hyatt Mary Morris and Robert
Make a Bequest or Estate Gift
Karen Kidwell and Rodney Pamela Ann Loftus Charles and Jenny Beeler Christian and Jacqueline Anthony Iantosca Baylor
Farrow Kate Lorig Richard Beleson Erdman Marilee Irwin Ronald Morrison
Glenn Kirby John V. Lowney Claudia A Bell Chuck Erickson J. A. Jackson Don and Norine Moses We gratefully accept legacy gifts such as bequests,
Doris Klein
Philip Lathrap
Martha and Hans Luemers Cort Benningfield Conrad Essen Carol Jacobs Carol A. Munch estate gifts, or IRA designations. Also, a recent
Gregory Luth Elaine Berger James and Ilsa Evans Holly Jacobs Koji Munemoto
Doris and Pete Lindfors Lynn Mac Donald and John Bob Berman Janet Eyre John M. Bryan Family Fund Maureen Anne Murphy change in tax law, Section 408(d)(8) of the Inter-
Anne Giannini McWilliams Bob Fabry and Susan Jeffrey D. Johnson Jean Myers
Cathy Moyer and Kathy
Dickerson Katherine Kay Berman nal Revenue Code, allows direct transfers from
Gordie MacDermott William Bernell Taylor Kenneth and Evelyn John and Barbara Nagle
Conte Andrea Manion Robert Berner Cheril Fagan Johnson National Rice Company IRAs to charitable organizations for people aged
Paul Newhagen and Antje Evan C. Marwell Jack Bertges Craig Falchi Luanne Johnson Rosamond Naylor
McNaughton-Newhagen R. Kent Mather and Marcia Connie and Frank Berto Robbie and Anthony Robert E. Johnson Douglas Nelson and
70.5 or older until the end of this year. If you are
Middleton O’Brien Pugsley Jim Best Fanning Jean Johnston Marianne Babal interested in making a bequest, a transfer from your
Michael and Bonnie John and Nell McBeth Sandra and Bruce Beyaert Albert and Sheila Faris Patricia Jordan-Grinslade J. S. Nelson
O’Halloran Janet McBride Barbara Biebush Barry Farrara Lois Joseph Andrew L. and Aniceta S. IRA, or have already named the Bay Area Ridge
Brian O’Neill
Stephanie and Roger Peters
Jim McBride Paul Billig Carl H. Feldman Bob Kane Niven Trail Council in your will or trust, please contact
William and Anne Dick Bjorndal James and Bette Felton Elizabeth Kaplan Bruce Noda
Alice Philipson McDowell Franklin Blackford Adela Feran Margaret Kaplan Tamara D. Norem Development Director Karen Kidwell at 415-561-
Lee Alan Pochop Robert M. Ferencz Lucy and Stanley Karp Brad and Judith O’Brien
Adda Quinn
Kathryn Kendrick McNeil Laura Blatt 2595 or dd@ridgetrail.org.
Ralph Mihan Linda Bochte Douglas and Jane Ferguson Nancy Karp Ermina O’Brien
Douglas Ley and Redtree Jon and Janine Miller
Properties, LP

a n n u a l r e p o r t 4
 S U M M E R - F A L L 2 0 0 7

Outings & UpkeepH I K E S , B I K E S , R I D E S ,

Ridge Trail

A N D W O R K P A R T I E S

1. SF WATERSHED HIKES/RIDES Santa Rosa 5. ANNUAL RIDGE TRAIL LUNCHEON

SPECIAL OUTINGS* Santa Clara County
Kenwood
San Mateo County Sebastopol Yountville
Saturday, October 20
SONOMA INFORMATION KEY
Time: 10:00 AM N A PA Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Completed
Distance: 2 to 10 miles Vacaville
Ridg e Trail Join us for our annual luncheon to celebrate
Seg ments
Guided hikes, and bike and equestrian rides, are Sonoma another year of accomplishments and to honor
Napa Proposed
scheduled every week in the SF-Peninsula Water- Trail Corridor Jean Rusmore, author of the Official Guide to the
shed on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Outings require Petaluma Bay Area Ridge Trail. A third edition of the guide
0 5 10 MI
well-conditioned walkers, experienced mountain Fairfield will be published in 2008. The lunch will also fea-
SOLANO 0 5 10 15 KM
bikers, and accomplished equestrians with condi- ture short talks by people who have completed or
tioned horses. Outings are limited to 20 people and are trying to complete the Ridge Trail. This year
fill up quickly. Vallejo N
our celebration will be held at Hidden Villa, an
Contact: Call 650-652-3203 or sign up online at Novato environmental education farm in Los Altos Hills.
sfwater.org. A variety of outings will be offered before lunch.
MARIN Invitations will be mailed in the fall; check the
2. TOUR DE FAT website for ticket purchase information starting in
San Francisco San Rafael
Pinole
August.
Saturday, July 21 Concord
Contact: Karen Kidwell, Ridge Trail Council, 415-
The fifth annual Tour de Fat Ballyhoo of Bikes and Richmond 3 561-2595 or dd@ridgetrail.org
Beer takes place at Speedway Meadow in Golden Walnut
Creek
Gate Park. Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing, CONTRA C O S TA
Berkeley
the fundraiser benefits the Bay Area Ridge Trail Sausalito
Council and the San Francisco Bike Coalition. Oakland
Donate to Our
Check our website at www.ridgetrail.org for more San

details. 2
Francisco
Annual Auction
Sa

The council is planning its third

n

3. SIX-DAY 100-MILE
Fr

EAST BAY BENEFIT RIDE Livermore

annual auction for the October 20
a

Hayward
nc

East Bay Hills San Bruno

luncheon. Please contact Karen Kid-
is c

August 29 - September 3
o

Pacifica
During Labor Day week, ride with members of the ALAMEDA well at the Ridge Trail Council if you
Ba

San
Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s Association and the
y

Mateo
1 have an item you want to contribute
PA

Metropolitan Horsemen’s Association in the East SAN Fremont

Bay Hills. Ride up to 100 miles, or 14 to 18 miles MATEO

—outdoor-adventure items are popular!
CI

Half Moon Bay Redwood

each day in small groups at your own pace. The ride City
Check the website for more details
FI

will follow and/or parallel the Ridge Trail much of

about the upcoming event.
C

Milpitas
the first four days, and then proceed to Mt. Diablo
for the final two days. Join in for one, more, or all Los Altos

days. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided for

O

riders and campers, and hay, carrots and water for San Jose
Subscribe to Our
C

5
E

the horses. Fun evening entertainment, including a S A N TA CLARA

E-Mail Updates
A

trip to the Chabot Space Observatory, campfires,

N

Los
and music is included. This ride will help raise Gatos
Our newly designed monthly e-mail
funds for the Bay Area Ridge Trail and for new 4
trails and equestrian improvements in the East Bay. newsletter is the best way to learn
The Bay Area Barns and Trails Trust will match the Morgan
about our latest outings and activities.
first $5,000 raised. The cost is $60/day, with a dis- Hill

count for five days at $325. This fee includes S A N TA CRUZ

camping, food, and horse provisions. If you can’t
ride, join us by volunteering!
Contact: Morris Older, 925-254-8943 or
ebhillsride@comcast.net, or Martha Mikesell, 925-
*Note: Outings listed as special outings are open to the public but the properties are only accessible during organized out-
833-9279 or martha.mikesell@sbcglobal.net. More
ings. These outings are special opportunities to see properties that do not have public access or have limited public access.
information is at www.twha.org (click on events).
4. RIDGE TRAIL CRUZ
Santa Clara County
Saturday, September 29
Join us for our second annual medium- and long-
distance hike/bike/run in Santa Clara and San
Mateo counties, modeled after our Ridge-to-Bridge
event in Marin County. Hikers meet at Skyline
Ridge Open Space Preserve and are shuttled south
to Sanborn-Skyline County Park. Mountain bikers
start at the same locations. Please contact us if you
would like to volunteer.
Contact: Joel Gartland at 561-2595 or
volunteer@ridgetrail.org.
To get on the mailing list, sign up on
The proposed trail corridor represents a conceptual plan to connect our website (www.ridgetrail.org) by
the remaining parks and public open spaces within the Bay Area Ridg e
Trail corridor. This conceptual map conveys no rig hts to the public to Gilroy clicking “Contact Us.” Also, check
enter private property without the owner’s permission.
our website frequently—
new outings and
trail workdays
are posted on a
weekly basis.
Ridge-to-Bridge 2007
Our eleventh annual Ridge-to-Bridge, held on April 28, was a great success.
One hundred fifty hikers participated, hiking 13, 20, or 30 miles. Three of
the four shuttle buses were completely full. Hikers could start at Samuel P.
Taylor State Park, Bolinas Ridge, or Pantoll, and all ended at the Golden
Gate Bridge. Twenty-five people completed the 30-mile route! Many par-
ticipants had sponsors and raised money for the Ridge Trail. Through
registration fees and pledges to hikers, we raised more than $6,000 for the
Ridge Trail, and donated more than $1,000 of the proceeds to California
State Parks. Thanks also go to REI, Clif Bar, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Wilder-
ness Press, and Pacific Gas & Electric for supporting the event.

During the event, REI volunteers staffed a booth in

Tennessee Valley. Photo by Janet McBride.

Early morning shadows on the Ridge-to-Bridge

hike. Photo by Tia Watts.

3
 Bay Area Ridge Trail Council NON-PROFIT ORG.
1007 General Kennedy Avenue, Suite 3 U.S. POSTAGE
San Francisco, California 94129
PAID

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

PERMIT NO. 3001

BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL COUNCIL

(415) 561-2595 (PHONE)
(415) 561-2599 (FAX)
www.ridgetrail.org

Staff Board of
Janet McBride Directors
Executive Director Bill Long
John Aranson Chair
Trail Steward Mary Burns
Vice Chair
Martha Benioff
Office Manager Michael Kelley
Secretary
Joel Gartland Phil Arnold
Volunteer Coordinator Treasurer
Karen Kidwell Thomas Beck
Development Director Rachel Blatt
Bern Smith Kathy Blume
South & East Bay Trail Barry Christian
Director Jed Cyr
Dee Swanhuyser Kristi Davis
North Bay Trail Director Mark Evanoff
Mark Frederick
Ridge Lines John Harrington
Elizabeth Byers Steve Kinsey
Editor Glenn Kirby
Bobbi Sloan Andrea Manion
Designer Ralph Mihan
Frank Morris
Morris Older
Brian O’Neill
Hikers on the recently dedicated Ridge Trail in
Brian Smith the John Muir National Historic Site. Photo
Sandy Sommer by Elizabeth Byers.
Ray Sullivan
Jim Townsend
Carol Vellutini
Barbara Weitz

I N S I D E : 2 0 0 6 A n n u a l R e p o r t

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER.

Lynch Canyon Opens to the Public

In 2003, the Bay Area Ridge Trail

Council and the Solano Land Trust
dedicated 3.5 miles of the Ridge
Trail in Lynch Canyon Open Space,
located northwest of Interstate 80,
between Vallejo and Fairfield. The
land trust had acquired the 1,039-
acre property in 1996, but because it
had limited funding for manage-
ment, public access was only allowed
through guided tours. Today, the
Azevedo family still runs cattle on
the ranch and finds that public
access has been compatible with its
ranching operation.

On May 11 of this
year, the Solano Land
Trust and Solano
County celebrated the
grand opening of Lynch
Canyon. Under a three-
year pilot plan, the
county opened the park
to the public five days a Map by Ben Pease.
Above photos by Dee Swanhuyser. Bottom right photo by Elizabeth
week, Wednesday Byers.
through Sunday (from
Directions to the trailhead: From I-80
8:00 AM to the posted closing time) and will hire rangers and provide trail main-
take the Hiddenbrooke/American Canyon
tenance. It will also help pay for a volunteer and education coordinator employed
exit between Vallejo and Fairfield. Turn
by the land trust. As part of this partnership, the land trust added a county repre-
east on McGary Road (the frontage road
sentative to its board, and that seat has been filled by Supervisor John Vasquez.
on the south side of I-80) and proceed to
Lynch Canyon has steeply rolling hills of grassland with groves of buckeyes
the I-80 underpass. Turn left at the under-
and oaks. The Ridge Trail climbs and descends a series of hilltops, and after tra-
pass. Proceed through the gate at the end
versing a saddle in the hills, rises to the 908-foot highpoint on the preserve’s
of the cul-de-sac to the gravel parking lot.
southern boundary. The ridges offer sweeping panoramic views, extending from
the Coast Range to San Francisco Bay and across the Delta to the Sierra Nevada.

R I D G E L I N E S • S U M M E R - F A L L 2 0 0 7