Ventana Wilderness Watch

www.ventanawild.org Volume 8 Number 1, Spring 2007X

President’s Message Cone Peak Trail Project Underway

This past December the Ventana Wilderness
Alliance Board of Directors met at San Antonio Mis-
sion for an all-day retreat and formulated an Action
Plan for 2007. The Action Plan focuses on immediate
steps to further develop our organization and to
expand our program in ways that will build on our
success in protecting the wilderness and biodiversity
of the northern Santa Lucia Mountains.
Key among several steps underway to make
our “back office” function more efficiently was the
installation late last year of new software to track our
finances, membership and volunteer data. A major
re-build of our popular web site is also in progress
and, when completed later this spring, will feature
revamped and fully interactive on-line Trail Reports
and a truly interactive on line Forum. Adding to these
steps is Bob Dawson’s leadership in revitalizing our
outreach effort to spread the word about our program

Photo: Richard Popchak

and activities and Julie Anne Hopkins’ field trip and
outings program, both of which are featured else-
where in this issue.
Our field program for this year includes ongoing
campaigns and new initiatives. The VWA Trail Crew
kicked off the 2007 season with the first of many trips
to clear miles of needy trails in the Cone Peak area
under the leadership of Trail Crew Team Leader Mike
Heard and Trail Crew Chief David Knapp. Also
continuing is the litigation we brought against the
Forest Service last year challenging the new Kozy
Kove grazing allotment that violates the Wilderness
Act. With the forest plan revision process complete,
we also re-initiated our Ventana Wild and Scenic River
Campaign to secure protective statutory designation
for the Arroyo Seco River and other local streams in
partnership with Friends of the River. Also planned
for this year is the next phase of the Willow Creek
Restoration Project, which will remove several
abandoned vehicles from the Willow Creek drainage.
Our stewardship projects typically require a year
or more to raise the necessary money and to secure
Forest Service approval before the project can begin
in the field. With that in mind, the board has initiated
several new projects, including a program to clean up
marijuana grow sites, a project to remove fencing and
water troughs from terminated grazing allotments, and
a campaign to secure long-term funding for back
country trail maintenance. More details on these new
initiatives will be reported as the projects are developed.
We look forward to an exciting and rewarding
2007 with much activity and opportunity for our
membership to both enjoy and help protect the spec-
tacular wilderness areas of the northern Santa Lucia
and Big Sur Coast. As an all-volunteer organization,
we always welcome your active participation in our
programs. Please join us.
­— Tom Hopkins
Happy VWA trail crew volunteers on the Carrizo Trail in February.
Cone Peak is a spectacular mountain. Lying
only three miles from the Pacific shore, yet rising
to a 5,155-foot summit, this ridge represents the
steepest coastal slope in the continental United
States. Wrapping around this marvelous moun-
tainscape and hewn into its steep flanks is a
network of hiking trails that many of us hold dear:
Vicente Flat, Stone Ridge, and Gamboa, to name
a few. But the ravages of time, wildfire and re-
duced Forest Service trail budgets have taken
their toll and now many of these trails are diffi-
cult, if not dangerous, to travel.
To remedy this unacceptable situation, the
VWA Trail Crew began a multi-year effort to
renovate, repair and reopen the entire Cone Peak
trail network to the hiking public. Work started
on the east side of the peak last year with Trail
Crew Chief David Knapp leading several trips
that opened the Arroyo Seco Trail. Additional
work was done on the Carrizo Trail and the North
Coast Ridge Trail.
Late last November Trail Crew Team
Leader Mike Heard led a survey of the Cone
Peak, Vicente Flat, Stone Ridge, Ojito, and
Gamboa Trails and the southern four miles of the
North Coast Ridge Trail. That survey, covering
over 25 miles of trail, identified five miles of lost
or greatly damaged tread, four miles overgrown
by thick brush, and 188 deadfall trees and logs
blocking the trails.
The Ventana Wilderness Alliance Trail Crew
has made the reopening of these trails its primary
focus for 2007. Regular VWA Trail Crew work
trips are now scheduled for this Cone Peak Trail
Network Project. Assisting David and Mike in this
major trail project are trail crew stalwarts Robert
Parks and Betsy MacGowan and dozens of trail
crew volunteers. Please see the Calendar of Events
elsewhere in this newsletter for specific trip dates
and contact information. New volunteers are al-
ways welcome. d1
The Forest Service recently reported
that the VWA Trail Crew, under the able
leadership of Trail Crew Chief David Knapp,
contributed over 2,500 volunteer hours in
2006 repairing and maintaining backcoun-
try trails in the Ventana and Silver Peak
Wilderness Areas. As part of their annual
budget process, the Forest Service valued
the VWA Trail Crew’s 2006 work effort as
a $45,000 contribution. To learn about the
Trail Crew or just join up, contact Dave at
daveknapp@ventanawild.org.
 VWA CALENDAR of EVENTS
DATE EVENT LEADER RSVP/CONTACT
April 14 - 15 Trail Work – Carrizo Trail David Knapp daveknapp@ventanawild.org I 805-226-7479
April 20 Outreach – Kennan Ward Film Hannah Schoenthal-Muse hannah@friendsoftheriver.com I 831-535-8304
Premiere at Rio Theater, Santa Cruz
April 21 Outreach Earth Day– TBD Bob Dawson bob@ventanawild.org
April 21 River Hike Dennis Palm dennis@ventanawild.org I 805-238-3725
N. Fork San Antonio River
April 22 Outreach - Earth Day - TBA Hannah Schoenthal-Muse hannah@friendsoftheriver.com I 831-535-8304
April 26 - 29 Trail Work – Vicente Flat Trail Mike Heard mikeheard@ventanawild.org I 626-795-5311
April 27 Board Meeting – Indians Tom Hopkins tom@ventanawild.org I 831-429-9010
April 28 OutinG – Indians to Tin Can Camp Kate Cunningham julieanne@ventanawild.org I 831-566-6012
April 29 River Hike – San Carpoforo Creek Rich Popchak rich@ventanawild.org
Hannah Schoenthal-Muse hannah@friendsoftheriver.com I 831-535-8304
May 5 Natural History Outing Julie Anne Hopkins julieanne@ventanawild.org I 831-566-6012
Big Creek Reserve
May 6 River Hike – Arroyo Seco River Dennis Palm and Stan Mellin I 831-375-7430
dennis@ventanawild.org
May 5 - 7 Trail Work - TBA David Knapp daveknapp@ventanawild.org I 805-226-7479
May 12 Outing – Willow Creek Tom and julieanne@ventanawild.org
Return to Wilderness Julie Anne Hopkins 831-566-6012
May 19 Annual Gathering – Jack’s Peak Jon Libby jon@ventanawild.org I 831-459-6780
May 26 - 27 Natural History Outing Dave Nelson
Hanging Valley Julie Anne Hopkins I 831-566-6012
julieanne@ventanawild.org
May 26 - 28 Trail Work – Little Sur Trail Mike Heard and Jim Preston mikeheard@ventanawild.org I 626-795-5311
June 2 National Trails Day Tom Hopkins tom@ventanawild.org I 831-429-9010
Trail Crew Event
June 17 River Hike Esperanza Hernandez perahernandez@hotmail.com I 831-678-1968
Church Creek to Tassajara Creek
June 23 Outreach Jon Libby jon@ventanawild.org
CHCF Picnic – Toro County Park Hannah Schoenthal-Muse hannah@friendsoftheriver.com I 831-535-8304

Visit VWA Calendar of Events on-line for more details: http://www.ventanawild.org/events/

VWA Spring 2007 I Field Trips, Outings and River Hikes

We welcome you to join in on some or all of
the VWA Spring field trips, outings and river
hikes. The river hikes will explore segments of
potential Wild & Scenic River designations. The
outings and field trips present unique opportuni-
ties to visit the wilderness with experienced and
enthusiastic hike leaders. Be sure to bring plenty
of water, food and layered clothing and wear
sturdy foot wear. Don’t forget sun block and a
hat. Remember, there are ticks and poison oak
out there! All trips are day hikes except the
Hanging Valley overnight backpack. Rain can-
cels. All trips are limited to 15 individuals. It is
important to contact the trip leaders listed in the
Calendar of Events on page 2 of this newsletter
to sign up for the trips and to get the meeting
times and locations. The VWA does not coordi-
nate car pooling; however, it is highly encour-
aged. Additional outings may be scheduled so
visit our on-line Calendar of Events for updates
and more details: www.ventanawild.org/events.
April 21 I North Fork of San Antonio River
This will be a moderate hike touring the rich
archeology along the north fork with side trips to
the Wagon Caves and, if time permits, the lower
Carrizo Trail. The wild flowers could be spec-
tacular. Bring your swimsuit for a dip in the river.
April 28 I Indians to Tin Can Camp
Enjoy a lively hike from the Indians along the
Arroyo Seco River to Tin Can Camp on the sum-
mit of the Coast Ridge. Expect to see great vistas,
a diversity of flowering plants and birds, the
headwaters of the Arroyo Seco River, and fascinat-
ing geology. This trip is a strenuous 12-mile hike
with 2,500 feet of elevation gain and well worth
every step.
April 29 I San Carpoforo Creek
We will explore the ridge above the San
Carpoforo watershed with a strenuous day hike.
Be prepared for steep climbs and spectacular
views while visiting this beautiful, historically
significant and seldom visited area. If time per-
mits, we will hike the beach near the river mouth
as well.
MAY 5 I Big Creek Reserve
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experi-
ence the UC Big Creek Preserve. To learn more
about the trip contact the trip leaders listed in the
calendar.
CONTINUED on PAGE 3
 CONTINUED from PAGE 2
MAY 6 I Arroyo Seco River
This moderate to strenuous hike will follow
the old dirt road three miles to the Horse Bridge
with spectacular views of the river and canyon
on the way. After a visit down to the river we will
continue up the road to the top of the ridge for
great views of the gorge and mountains to the
east. Total distance for this moderate to strenuous
Photo: Hannah Schoenthal-Muse
hike is about 9 miles.
MAY 12 I Willow Creek – Return
to Wilderness
This moderate hike to the site of the 2004
Willow Creek clean-up project is not only beau-
tiful, but also rewarding. Whether this is your
first visit or a revisit, come along to observe the
former mining claim sites two years after the
VWA clean-up. We will also learn about the
plants and birds that inhabit this part of the Silver
Peak Wilderness.
MAY 26 - 27 I Hanging Valley Overnight
Back Pack
Hike from Escondido Camp 4.5 miles to
Hanging Valley, looking at plants on the way,
arriving at the valley in time for more exploration.
We expect to see rare plants, sweeping vistas, a
tiny cold spring and pool, and rock shelters. Pos-
sible sightings could include the rare Arroyo Seco
Bush Mallow, Malacothamnus palmeri ssp. lu-
cianus, and undocumented populations of
VWA Needs You to join our growing team of volunteers
helping to develop our organization and expand our programs. Please email tom@ventanawild.org if
you can help out with any of the following:
Graphic artists to lay out newsletter and other media materials I Santa Cruz area folks to help
with mailings and data entry I Fund-raisers and grant writers I Web techs to join our web team
Youth in Wilderness leaders I Trail crew and outing leaders d1
Ventana Wilderness Alliance Post Office Box 506 I Santa Cruz, California 95061
Phone 831.423.3191 I Email vwa@ventanawild.org
B o a r d O f D i r e c t o r s
President Tom Hopkins I tom@ventanawild.org
Vice President Jon Libby I jon@ventanawild.org
Secretary Dennis Palm I dennis@ventanawild.org
Treasurer David Jacobs I david@ventanawild.org
Director Julie Anne Hopkins I julieanne@ventanawild.org
Director Richard Popchak I rich@ventanawild.org
E x t e n d e d L e a d e r s h i p G r o u p
Outreach Coordinator Bob Dawson I bob@ventanawild.org
Trail Crew Chief David Knapp I daveknapp@ventanawild.org
Trail Crew Team Leader Mike Heard I mikeheard@ventanawild.org
Trail Crew Team Leader Robert Parks I robert@ventanawild.org
Trail Crew Team Leader Mark Maslow I mark@ventanawild.org
Membership Coordinator Mike Splain I mike@ventanawild.org
Web Master Phil Williamson I phil@ventanawild.org
Newsletter Production Editor I Richard Popchak
Design I Lynn Piquett Printing I Mission Printers
This could be you exploring the mighty
Arroyo Seco.
Hickman’s Sidalcea, Sidalcea hickmanii. This
will be an easy to moderate backpack.
JUNE 17 I Pine Ridge Trail to Church Creek
to Tassajara Road
This is a moderate to strenuous 12-mile loop
hike with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We
will benefit from recent work on the Pine Ridge
Trail by the VWA Trail Crew and view unique
caves created by wind and water erosion. d1
Assistant Editor I Peggy Dilfer
Photo: Tom Hopkins
Boon cleaning up his act near Willow Creek in
May 2004.
Thank You, Boon
Recently, founding board member Boon
Hughey announced his resignation from the
VWA’s Board of Directors. This is not to say
Boon is going anywhere. He is still deeply
involved in the organization. But this change
gives us an opportunity to express our pro-
found gratitude for all he has done to protect
the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness areas.
From its inception in 1998, Boon has uti-
lized a variety of skills and tools to develop and
maintain a viable grass roots wilderness advo-
cacy organization. Boon realized early on that
the internet was a great way to bring like-mind-
ed people together. He “cobbled” together the
organization’s original web site with the tech-
nical equivalent of chicken wire and chewing
gum. He used his boots, maps and raw energy to
explore the hinterlands of the Monterey Rang-
er District. Also, Boon scoured and devoured
public records and books on local history and
fiction to better understand how to appreciate
and protect this land. But really, the best skill
at Boon’s disposal was his ability to share his
love for and knowledge of that blessed chunk of
wilderness we all fight to protect today.
Many of us have seen this quote by Edward
Abbey: “The idea of wilderness needs no de-
fense, it only needs defenders.” This thought
certainly applies to Boon. But another Abbey
quote comes to mind when thinking of Boon:
“… love of the wilderness is more than a hun-
ger for what is always beyond reach; it is also
an expression of loyalty to the earth which bore
us and sustains us, the only home we shall ever
know, the only paradise we ever need – if only
we had eyes to see.”
Boon has a vision that enlightens us. And
for that we are truly thankful. See you on the
trail, Boon! d1
 NON PROFIT ORG
Post Office Box 506 U.S. Postage
Santa Cruz, CA 95061 PAI D
Santa Cruz, CA
Permit No. 575
Address Service Requested

Remi nde r

VWA Annual Gathering is May 19

The VWA Annual Gathering will take
place at Jacks Peak County Park on Sat-
urday, May 19, 2007. Once again this fun
event will feature BBQ, a potluck, a guest
speaker, hiking and more. So mark your
calendar now for May 19. Details will be
forthcoming via the VWA Listserv.
See www.ventanawild.org/events for details.

The mission of the

Ventana Wilderness Alliance
is to protect, preserve, and restore the
wilderness qualities and biodiversity of
the public lands within California’s northern
Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur coast.

Annual Meeting I A Big Success

Over 50 members of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance gathered at the UC MBEST Center in
Marina on January 20 for our Annual Meeting. Attendees participated in presentations covering every-
Photo: Anders Hagberg

thing from the organization’s financials to the Wild Rivers Campaign to our ongoing lawsuit to prevent
a grazing allotment from being created in the Kozy Kove area of the Silver Peak Wilderness. The
lobby of the MBEST Center was a perfect location to set up project displays, trail work tools and a
hearty spread of sandwiches, fresh fruits, cookies and other snacks (thanks, Jon and Kate)!
The goals of the meeting were to share information, gain membership feedback and increase
membership involvement in the many projects under way. We were successful on all three fronts and
we look forward to bigger and better membership meetings in the future. d1
VWA members Meade Fischer and Mary Cunov
chat at the Annual Meeting in Marina.

VWA Board Elects New President

After serving as VWA president since January
2001, Jon Libby passed the gavel to Tom Hopkins
at the January 20th Board of Directors meeting.
Under Jon’s able 6-year leadership, the VWA has
Trail in the heart of the Ventana Wilderness.
n Removed over 10,000 pounds of trash from
the newly designated Willow Creek Addition to
the Silver Peak Wilderness.
Photo: Richard Popchak

established itself as the primary organization ad-
vocating for protection of the public lands of the
northern Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur coast.
During Jon’s tenure the VWA successfully:
n Advocated for passage of the Big Sur Wilder-
ness and Conservation Act of 2002, which added
52,000 acres of public land to the Ventana and
Silver Peak Wilderness Areas.
n Re-established the 9-mile long Black Cone
Tom and Jon were both founding board
members of the VWA. Tom served as founding
treasurer until January 2005 when he was elected
Vice President. For 2007, Jon will serve as Vice
President to provide a smooth transition for Tom.
Dennis Palm and David Jacobs will continue to
serve as Secretary and Treasurer respectively; and New VWA President Tom Hopkins (left) with
Rich Popchak and Julie Anne Hopkins will con-
tinue to serve as Directors at Large. d1
former President Jon Libby.

Look for news of upcoming VWA gatherings and other events on the VWA website, www.ventanawild.org