Ridge Lines
S U M M E R 2 0 0 4
O F T H E
Ridge Trail Shares Routes with Long-Distance Trails
The Al Zampa Memorial Bridge officially opened on November 8, 2003. Hundreds turned out to
celebrate and walk across the bridge (above). The pedestrian/bicycle lane, the route of the Ridge Trail
and Bay Trail, opened this May. Photo by William Hall, courtesy of Caltrans. The Coastal Trail on
Bolinas Ridge in Mt. Tamalpais State Park (below) is the route of the Ridge Trail, California Coastal
Trail, and American Discovery Trail. The Bolinas Lagoon and Pacific Ocean are in the distance.
Photo by Don Lundell.
T
rail enthusiasts in the San Fran-
cisco Bay Area are fortunate to
have the Ridge Trail and several
other long-distance trails to explore.
Although most of these trails are still
not complete, enough segments are in
place to create an extensive trail net-
work. Sometimes the long-distance
trails overlap, and these stretches are
particularly interesting to visit.
This spring, the Ridge Trail
gained two new segments on shared
alignments. The Al Zampa Memorial
Bridge—commonly known as the Car-
quinez Bridge—opened to pedestrians
and bicyclists in May and is also the
route of the San Francisco Bay Trail.
The new Ridge Trail segment in San
Jose’s Almaden Quicksilver County
Park is shared with the Juan Bautista
de Anza National Historic Trail.
The idea of long-distance trails was
envisioned as far back as the 1920s
when Benton MacKaye proposed link-
ing paths together to create one long
route—the Appalachian Trail. Thanks
B A Y A R E A
to the trail planning that took place
decades ago, and the hard work of
many trail advocates, the Bay Area is
traversed by a number of long-distance
trails, which often share routes, giving
users the chance to explore the best of
what the region has to offer. Some of
these trails are contained within the
Bay Area, some extend to other parts
R I D G E T R A I L
of the state, and others travel through
many states. The Ridge Trail shares
alignments with six long-distance
trails, and also crosses paths with the
proposed San Francisco Bay Area
Water Trail. These trails, with the
shared segments listed in the sidebar,
include the American Discovery
Trail, California Coastal Trail, Cali-
fornia Riding and Hiking Trail, East
Bay Skyline National Recreation
Trail, Juan Bautista de Anza National
Historical Trail, and San Francisco
Bay Trail.
Some of the long-distance trails—
the Bay Area Ridge Trail, San
Francisco Bay Trail, Coastal Trail,
and East Bay Skyline National Recre-
ation Trail—follow prominent land
features, as evident from their names.
This is also true for the Bay Area
Water Trail, which has access points
on land for water-based users (kayakers,
etc.). Other long-distance trails com-
memorate history, like the Juan
Bautista de Anza Trail, which follows
the route of Spanish settlers. The
American Discovery Trail combines
driving routes with trails to encourage
people to explore the entire country.
And the California Riding and Hik-
ing Trail, created in the 1940s,
provided the route for many of the
trails we enjoy today.
Planning and creating long-dis-
tance trails is a challenging
undertaking. To make it easier, more
than one trail often shares a route.
Due to the need to cross the bay, the
Ridge Trail, Bay Trail, Coastal Trail,
and American Discovery Trail all
cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and
the Ridge Trail and Bay Trail both
cross the Carquinez Bridge. The trails
share corridors through many of the
area’s parks: the Ridge Trail, Coastal
Trail, Discovery Trail, and California
Riding and Hiking Trail parallel Boli-
nas Ridge in Mt. Tamalpais State
Park; and the Ridge Trail and Anza
Trail both follow the East Bay Skyline
National Recreation Trail. The John
Muir National Historic Site in Mar-
tinez is on the Ridge Trail, Anza
Trail, and California Riding and Hik-
ing Trail routes.
C O U N C I L
In addition to taking advantage of
topography and preserved open space,
today’s long-distance trails benefit
continued on page 2
Ridge Trail
Shared Routes
American Discovery Trail
Delaware to California
discoverytrail.org
• Golden Gate Bridge to Bolinas
Ridge Fire Road and Randall
Trail
California Coastal Trail
Mexico to Oregon
californiacoastaltrail.org
• Mt. Tamalpais, Bolinas Ridge
• Coastal Trail in Marin Headlands
and south across Golden Gate
Bridge
• San Francisco Presidio, batteries
west of Lincoln Blvd.
• Fort Funston to Mussel Rock,
San Francisco to San Mateo
County
California Riding and
Hiking Trail
• John Muir National Historic Site
to Carquinez Strait, Martinez
• Mt. Tamalpais, Bolinas Ridge
• Cross-Marin Trail, Samuel P.
Taylor Park
• Wunderlich County Park to
Huddart County Park,
San Mateo County
East Bay Skyline National
Recreation Trail
ebparks.org, ebmud.com
• Wildcat Canyon Regional Park
to Anthony Chabot Regional
Park
Juan Bautista de Anza National
Historic Trail
Arizona to San Francisco
nps.gov/juba
• John Muir National Historic Site,
Martinez
• East Bay Skyline National
Recreation Trail
• Presidio, San Francisco
• Lexington Reservoir to Coyote
Creek Parkway, Santa Clara
County
San Francisco Bay Area
Water Trail
bayaccess.org
• Benicia waterfront
• Martinez waterfront
San Francisco Bay Trail
Perimeter of San Francisco Bay
baytrail.abag.ca.gov
• Benicia-Martinez Bridge to
Carquinez Bridge, in Benicia
• Martinez waterfront
• Golden Gate Bridge
 THE VIEW FROM HERE

NEWS
Marin County Acquisition Secures Trail Access
On March 20 the Marin County Open Space District reopened the old rail-
road grade that leads from Sir Francis Drake at the top of White Hill Grade into
Loma Alta Open Space Preserve. Although this trail had been dedicated years
earlier as part of the Ridge Trail and was frequently used by the public, the
landowner had blocked access to the trail with a cyclone fence. The owner had
acquired the land two years ago with hopes of building a house and using the old
railroad grade as the entrance road.
Under the leadership of Marin County Supervisor and Ridge Trail Board
Member Steve Kinsey, the county recently acquired the property, which adds 20
acres to the Loma Alta Open Space Preserve. At the dedication, the fence was
pulled down and trail users began once again to enter the preserve from this loca-
tion. This summer the district will finish work on the trail underneath the new
White Hill Bridge which will connect to White Hill Open Space Preserve and
continue to the Gary Giacomini Open Space Preserve.
Future Ridge Trail Property Protected
In late March the Muir Heritage Land Trust announced its acquisition of the
scenic Dutra Ranch, a 158-property near Martinez that will have a one-mile seg-
ment of the Ridge Trail. The land trust raised $790,000 for the purchase,
including $100,000 from the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Other funders
included 2,000 individuals, the Coastal Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation
Board, L.J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, J.M. Long Foundation, David
B. Gold Foundation, Strong Foundation, Firedoll Foundation, Martinez Horse-
men’s Association, and Bay Area Barns and Trails.
The Dutra family had farmed the land and raised cattle on the ranch since
1917. The trust will continue the current agricultural use of dry-land grazing.
Preservation of the land will complete a significant recreational and wildlife corri-
dor; preserve key habitat for special status and native species, including the
Alameda whipsnake and red-legged frog; provide an important trail link; and pre-
serve a piece of agricultural history. The land trust has protected three other
adjacent properties: Sky Ranch, Gustin Ranch, and Stonehearst (through a con-
servation easement). Together these properties comprise more that 660 acres of
permanently protected open space on Franklin Ridge, which has a landscape of
oak woodlands, grassland, riparian corridors, and seasonal wetlands.
The land trust will hold a dedication at Dutra Ranch on October 9. For more
information, call 925-228-5460.
Dear Friends,
There’s a joke you sometimes hear in philanthropy
circles: a passerby sees a man drowning and yells,
“Would $10 help?” It’s not the funniest joke, but it
makes the point that despite the best efforts of many
organizations, we may never end hunger, child abuse,
or poverty. The Ridge Trail Council’s mission is much
more tangible: while it may take us another 17 years to
complete the trail, progress can be measured mile by
mile as we open up new trails.
This past week I met with candidates for a new staff position at the
council—a development manager. This position was created thanks to the
generous donors to our Advancement Fund (see Annual Report). Invari-
ably, all the candidates talked about the importance of our work and how
much they wanted to be a part of preserving something for future genera-
tions to enjoy. One asked me: “What would you do if someone gave
$500,000 tomorrow?” I quickly replied, “Buy more land and build more
trail.” Our mission and our fundraising effort are so closely integrated that
every dollar goes in some way to expanding or maintaining the trail.
And then the next day I did get a chance to consider just that—how to
spend $1 million from a grant we successfully secured from the Coastal Con-
servancy. We received applications for this funding in March but
unfortunately had to turn down half because the requests totaled $2 million.
We too are seeking funding for our own trail projects: we’re in the
midst of a $175,000 capital campaign for a 1.6-mile trail crossing a private
ranch in Napa County. So there are many good projects coming forward,
and with our new development manager on staff, we will be able to do an
even better job of getting funds to these projects.
In the meantime, if you have an extra $5 or $500,000, there’s a trail
there waiting for you.
Happy trails,
Holly Van Houten
Executive Director

A cyclone fence blocked access to the Ridge

Trail in Loma Alta Open Space Preserve
(top left). At the trail reopening, the
cyclone fence is pulled down by Ridge Trail
Board Member Marin County Supervisor
Steve Kinsey,
Marin County
Open Space
District General
Manager Fran
Brigman, Open
Space District
staff, and volun- The views from the Dutra property are impressive. The open
teers (bottom landscape offers views of Mt. Diablo. Photo by Stephen Joseph.
left). Photos by John Dutra farms the property in the early 1900s (right). Photo
Holly Van courtesy of the Dutra family.
Houten.

Ridge Trail Shares Routes with Long-Distance Trails (continued from page 1)

from past accomplishments. The Cal- ridgetops of Alameda and Contra

ifornia Riding and Hiking Trail was
an ambitious project first authorized
by Governor Earl Warren in 1945.
The proposed 3,000-mile loop trail
was planned from San Diego County
north through the Sierra Nevada to
the Oregon border, and then south
through the state’s Coast Range. By
the early 1960s, 1,060 miles of the
trail had been completed, including
62 miles in the Bay Area, but by the
mid 1960s the state started to focus
its efforts on other projects and the
trail project never reached comple-
tion. Many of the signs identifying
the trail are no longer in place. The
Ridge Trail user can experience this
trail in Marin, Contra Costa, and San
Mateo Counties.
In another example, one of the
first segments to be proposed as a sec-
tion of the Ridge Trail was the
31.5-mile-long East Bay Skyline
National Recreation Trail. This trail
passes through seven parks, and is one
of 800 federally designated National
Recreation Trails in the United States
because of its local and regional sig-
nificance. The East Bay Regional Park
District’s land acquisitions on the
Costa Counties made this trail possi-
ble.
The Juan Bautista de Anza
National Historic Trail follows the
route taken by the Spanish lieutenant
colonel during his 1775-76 journey,
when he led 30 soldiers and their fami-
lies to found a presidio and mission
near the San Francisco Bay. According
to the National Park Service, the expe-
dition more than doubled the
population of Spanish colonials in Cal-
ifornia and helped to establish a
strategic northern Spanish military out-
post that eventually became the city of
In April, the Ridge Trail was dedicated in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. The route is shared with
San Francisco. At the John Muir the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. The park’s Wood Road Trail (above) offers an
National Historic Site and the Pre- expansive view of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and Mt. Umunhum. Photo by Kelly Gibson, Santa
sidio, visitors can learn about the Anza Clara County Parks and Recreation Department.
expedition and California’s Spanish
and Mexican periods. The U.S. Con- of the new trail in the Benicia State unique settings. And the historic
gress designated the trail a National Recreation Area. The Ridge Trail has trails not only preserve history but
Historic Trail in 1990. It is adminis- many partnerships to look forward to teach us about past cultures and past
tered by the National Park Service in in the future. routes of travel, helping us to under-
cooperation with other partners. Despite the hard work, it is worth stand our environment today.
The partnerships between trail the effort to create long, continuous If you want to visit more than one
organizations often help get long- trails. Most important, these trails long-distance trail at a time, take a
distance trails built because costs are provide access to and help preserve visit to some of the trails listed on the
shared. For example, the Ridge Trail the Bay Area’s coast, bay, and ridge- sidebar. You won’t be disappointed.
Council and the Bay Trail both con- lines that parallel the bay. The trails
tributed funding for the construction are well worth the visit due to their —Elizabeth Byers and Holly Van Houten

2
 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 3
B A Y A R E A R I D G E T R A I L C O U N C I L

Thanks to your support, last year the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council made sig- • PRIEST ROCK,
nificant strides toward its goals of dedicating new trail sections, preserving KENNEDY, AND
ridgelines, creating new public access, and getting more people involved in the WOODS TRAILS,
Ridge Trail project. SANTA CLARA
COUNTY: This 11.8-mile
DEDICATING NEW TRAIL SECTIONS trail was officially dedi-
cated as a section of the
We added 27 miles to the Ridge Trail in 2003, bringing the total dedicated Bay Area Ridge Trail on
miles to 261. This was the largest number of trail miles added in one year in over a October 25. The trail
decade. With four ribbon-cutting ceremonies, we had many chances to celebrate extends from Lexington
our successes. Here’s a quick overview of the new trail sections: Reservoir County Park at
Highway 17 east through
• FIFIELD-CAHILL RIDGE TRAIL, SAN MATEO COUNTY: After a 15-year the Sierra Azul Open
campaign for access to the San Francisco Watershed, a new 9.5-mile Ridge Trail Space Preserve above San
The Ridge Trail undulates over the Sierra Azul Open Space
section was opened on August 21 in cooperation with the San Francisco Public Jose. This route had been Preserve’s ridges, offering views in all directions. Pictured is the
Utilities Commission (PUC). Ridge Trail Council members and volunteers in place for many years, but Woods Trail, looking west. Photo by Holly Van Houten.
worked hard over the years two private inholdings
to convince the City of San made a dedicated trail cor-
Francisco to open this beau- ridor uncertain until the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District was able
tiful land for trail use. When to acquire the remaining properties and protect the corridor permanently. The
the PUC voted for this pub- Ridge Trail Council contributed funding for a new staging area on Hicks Road,
lic access, San Francisco which makes the whole area underneath Mt. Umunhum more accessible.
Chronicle outdoors colum-
• BIG ROCK RIDGE TRAIL, MARIN COUNTY: This 3.6-mile new trail,
nist Tom Stienstra’s headline
which offers incredible views from Marin’s second highest peak, opened to the
triumphed, “Paradise to have
public on April 1 and was dedicated on November 8. This is the first Marin
its gates opened.” He also
County Open Space District trail built specifically for multiple users—hikers,
praised Bay Area Ridge Trail
mountain bicyclists, and equestrians. Trail Steward John Aranson designed the
Council volunteer Doug
trail for Marin County before he joined the council. Maintained by the
Kerseg for having made the
County of Marin, the trail is located both in the Lucas Valley Open Space
“final difference” in the deci-
Preserve and on a trail easement from Lucasfilm, Ltd. Another partner in the
sion.
project is the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, which holds a conservation ease-
The PUC hosted a special
ment over the Lucasfilm property. Despite very inclement weather (the
dedication ceremony
downpour began when the hikers reached the summit!), a crowd turned out
In August, Ridge Trail Executive Director Holly Van Houten attended by then San Fran-
for the dedication. It was well organized by our tireless Marin County volun-
and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown celebrated the opening cisco Mayor Willie Brown,
of the Ridge Trail in the San Francisco Watershed. Both teers, headed up by Barbara Weitz.
along with San Francisco
donned their Ridge Trail caps. Photo by Bill Long. Supervisor Tom Ammiano,
San Mateo County Supervi-
sor Mike Nevin, and most of members of the PUC. The trail connects from
Highway 92 to the Sweeney Ridge section of the Golden Gate National Recre-
ation Area and is open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bicyclists through
docent-led tours only. See “Outings and Upkeep” for more information on sign-
ing up for a tour.
• BENICIA STATE PARK TRAIL, SOLANO COUNTY: This 2.2-mile trail
opened on September 21 in cooperation with the California Department of
Parks and Recreation. It serves as an alignment for both the Bay Area Ridge
Trail and the San Francisco Bay Trail. The entire trail is fully accessible to peo-
ple in wheelchairs and is routed along the Carquinez Strait just west of the city
of Benicia. The Solano County Committee did a great job of hosting the dedi-
cation, thanks to the leadership of Kathy Hoffman and Kathy Blume. The
mayors of Vallejo and Benicia, State Senator Liz Figueroa, and State Assembly-
woman Lois Wolk attended the dedication, in addition to about 75 trail users.

The Big Rock Ridge Trail was officially dedicated in November. It traverses the
Lucas Valley Open Space Preserve and also passes through property owned by
Lucasfilm, Ltd. Photo by Elizabeth Byers.

PRESERVING THE RIDGELINES

AND CREATING PUBLIC ACCESS

Many groups are involved in land preservation in the Bay

Area, but only the Ridge Trail Council is working in all nine
counties to create public access to ridge lands. Several impor-
tant preservation efforts were successful in 2003:

• BOY SCOUTS TRAIL EASEMENT: The council success-

fully negotiated a trail easement with the Boy Scouts of
America’s Marin Council, which operates Camp Tamaran-
cho outside of Fairfax. The Boy Scouts’ property crosses a
fire road at a key Ridge Trail location, where it traverses the
White Hill Open Space Preserve. Without a trail easement,
the route could not be dedicated as part of the Ridge Trail
or preserved for future trail users. Thanks to the Boy
Scouts-Marin Council, who donated the easement. The
Ridge Trail Council will hold the easement, as well as man-
age and maintain the 600-foot section until it can be
transferred to the Marin County Open Space District. This
trail will soon connect to the new Loma Alta property pur-
chased by the district (see article on page 2).
• SKILES AND BELTANE RANCHES: As 2003 drew to a
After the Benicia State Park Trail dedication ceremony, Park Superintendent John Crossman led an interpretive tour along the new close, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and
trail segment. Photo by Elizabeth Byers.
Open Space District agreed to acquire two key properties.

A N N U A L R E P O R T | 1
 A N N U A L R E

The district purchased 47 acres of the Skiles Ranch in January and is moving
forward on negotiations to purchase 1,290 acres of the historic Beltane Ranch.
Both properties will eventually provide a route for the Ridge Trail and connect
to nearby state parks. The council’s North Bay Trail Director Dee Swanhuyser
played a key role in the Skiles acquisition. The council also obtained a grant
from the Coastal Conservancy for the purchase of the Skiles property.

MAINTAINING THE RIDGE TRAIL

We dedicated our first trails back in 1989 and many are showing signs of age.
John Aranson, our trail steward, started organizing trail workdays this year to
address these problems. We are also grateful to our partners who take on the bulk
of the maintenance chores for the Ridge Trail.

• We worked with employees of Bloomberg in San Francisco and Backpacker maga-

zine to maintain a section of the Miwok Trail in Marin County’s Tennessee Valley.
• In the fall, John trained volunteers in Napa County on various aspects of
trail maintenance.
• We participated in volunteer trail days with the East Bay Regional Park
District and California State Parks.
The Ridge Trail Council’s Napa County Leadership Council (from left to right): Eileen Mulligan, Frogs
• We partnered with Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department to Leap; Bill Phelps, Joseph Phelps Winery; Will Wyman, Merrill Lynch; Mark Grassi, Grassi Construction;
rehabilitate part of the Coyote Creek Trail from Silicon Valley Road to Silver Kathie Fowler, Joseph Phelps Winery; Cathy Marsten; Dawnine Dyer, Dyer Vineyards; Bill Long, Ridge
Creek Valley Boulevard, repair the riparian corridor, and create better eques- Trail Council board chair; Mark Linder; Hugh Davies, Schramsberg Vineyards; Guy Kay; Ken Stanton;
trian trail access. Charles Slutzkin, Napa Gateway Business Park; and Holly Van Houten, Ridge Trail Council execu-
tive director.

GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED

• PROPOSITION 40 FUNDING: In December we announced the availability
• RUN FOR THE RIDGE: The biggest accomplishments last year were those of of $1 million in grants through the California Coastal Conservancy for Ridge
Don Lundell and Gillian Robinson, who ran an average of more than 40 miles Trail planning, construction, and acquisition projects. The Proposition 40 state
a day for 13 days to complete the Ridge Trail’s proposed 500-mile route. Their park bond funds were approved by California voters in 2002. Grant applica-
Run for the Ridge began in late August and concluded just after Labor Day. tions have been submitted by agencies and organizations around the Bay Area,
Struggling with heat, exhaustion, blisters, pulled muscles, and lost directions and the conservancy will approve the grants this summer. The last round of
(while keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes and on roads, for cars), this was the grants, funded through Proposition 12, resulted in nearly 50 miles of Ridge
ultimate feat of endurance. They are now writing a book about their experience Trail now in place and approximately 20 miles of trail in the process of being
that also will introduce the reader to the world of trail running. We added a built. We are pleased with the support we’ve received from the California
trail running enthusiast to our board of directors, Chuck Wilson, and look for- Coastal Conservancy; it has enabled the Ridge Trail project to make tremen-
ward to working more closely with this group of trail users who need continuous, dous progress.
long trails for their recreational pursuits.
• TOUR DE FAT: In July, we teamed up with New Belgium Brewery to co-host
the Tour de Fat. We helped pour many kegs of beers to celebrate bicycling, trails
and beer. More than 30 volunteers participated in the event, which raised
nearly $4,000 for the council. Mark July 31 on your calendar for this year’s
event in Golden Gate Park; we’ll be teaming up with the San Francisco Bicycle
Coalition (see “Outings & Upkeep”).
• RIDGE TRAIL BENEFIT: The Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s Association held a
multi-day ride in the East Bay over Labor Day weekend and raised $5,000 for
the Ridge Trail Council, which was matched by a $5,000 grant from Bay Area
Barn and Trails. This year the group will hold a six-day 100-mile ride in early
September to explore the East Bay Hills by horseback, following the route of
the Ridge Trail. For more information see “Outings & Upkeep.”
• RIDGE TO BRIDGE: We held the seventh Annual Ridge to Bridge event, a
13-, 20-, or 31-mile hike/run, on a beautiful day in late April. More than 80
people hiked the trail and many volunteers helped out. This event even made
the evening news in San Francisco. Thanks to the dedicated Marin County vol-
unteers who organize Ridge to Bridge every year.

BUILDING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

Gillian Robinson and Don Lundell completed the 500-mile Run for the Ridge in September on the Ridge
• ADVANCEMENT FUND CAMPAIGN: After unveiling our three-year strategic Trail route. Gillian runs on the Coyote Peak Trail in Santa Teresa County Park (above). Photo by
plan, the council embarked on a fund development plan to ensure we had the Don Lundell.
necessary funds to accomplish our mission. To that end, in June, we launched
the Advancement Fund Campaign, designed to diversify our funding base and
increase our fundraising capability. The board realized that our goals of complet-
ing the Ridge Trail, especially with the more difficult trail miles on private land
ahead of us, could not be achieved unless we increased our capacity to raise 2 0 0 3 F I N A N C
funds. We need funds for our staff to work with public partners, negotiate with
private landowners, and organize trail construction and maintenance activities.
Increasingly, we are also being called on to raise capital for land acquisition and These charts represent estimated 2003 TOTAL REVENUE: $1,058,099
trail construction. The first two phases of the Advancement Fund Campaign figures since the 2003 audit is not
Earthshare
have been successfully completed; we’ve raised more than $100,000 toward our complete as of press time. Copies of Workplace
Giving
goal of $140,000. We thank all the donors to the Advancement Fund who gave the 2002 audited financials are 1% Events
Foundations
so generously. These donors are listed on page 4 of the Annual Report. available for review in the Bay Area & Corporations
1%

Ridge Trail Council office. 7%

• NAPA COUNTY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: The first trail project to be built
by the council on private land will be on the Tuteur Ranch in Napa. This trail,
to be known as the Napa-Solano Ridge Trail, extends the current route in Sky-
Individuals
line Wilderness Park and will be a loop trail that will eventually connect to a 11% Government
32%
neighboring property and continue into Solano County. To assist us in raising
capital for trail construction, we formed the Napa County Leadership Council,
a group of Napa Valley business and community leaders who want to help cre- Membership
19%
ate the Ridge Trail in Napa County (see photo). They lend their names to the
project, contribute funds of their own, and help us identify other potential sup-
porters in the area. Thanks to Jennifer Chandler and Chip Bouril, longtime Trail Grants
29%
volunteers with the Napa County Committee, who helped organize this new
group, and to Mark Linder, who reached out to the agricultural community to
open these new doors.

A N N U A L R E P O R T | 2
 P O R T 2 0 0 3

NEW BOARD MEMBERS, THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

BOARD DEPARTURES
We are extremely thankful for the many volunteers who help us, especially those
The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council is pleased to welcome three new board who serve on the Ridge Trail Council’s county committees. The committees help
members: Jed Cyr, Morris Older, and Chuck Wilson. to plan new routes, organize outings and work days, and host dedications. Last
year a number of volunteers helped out at Tour de Fat, which raised funds for the
JED CYR is the new designated director from the Midpeninsula council. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us!
Regional Open Space District, replacing Mary Davey. He grew up in
Colma, in northern San Mateo County. Jed started exploring the
Bay Area’s parks and open space preserves when he first moved to
the Santa Clara Valley in 1959. He taught U.S. history and govern-
ment to eighth graders in Sunnyvale for 37 years and retired in June
of 2003. Jed has served as a board member of the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District, representing Sunnyvale, since 1996.

MORRIS OLDER is a new board member from Orinda in the East

Bay. He was a mainstay with Uprisings Baking Collective for many
years before it closed in 1997, and has worked in office management
and accounting. For the past 25 years Morris has kept horses near
the Ridge Trail. He is a past president, secretary, and currently a
board member of the Orinda Horsemen’s Association. Not only has
he volunteered for trail work in the Bay Area and the Sierra Nevada, but as editor
of the Tilden Wildcat Horsemen’s Association newsletter, he has promoted volun-
teer trail work and trail issues for the last ten years. Morris was a co-organizer of Ridge Trail board members and staff at the San Francisco Watershed Ridge Trail dedication.
last year’s Labor Day week five-day East Bay Hills Trail Ride, which raised $10,000
for the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
ALAMEDA AND Linda Reichel Virginia Holtz
CONTRA COSTA David Smart Mark Jackson
COUNTIES
CHUCK WILSON, a software engineer, lives in Palo Alto and Ken Stanton Lee and Wini Jebian
spends his free time running trails. He’s been running trails since Ron Brown Jessica Tuteur Lars Larsen
1979, when he moved to the Bay Area, and is now an ultra-trail Don deFremery John Tuteur Kitty Monihan
runner who has traveled the globe to run trails. Chuck has com- Wendell Doman Vinaya Natu
pleted 66 ultra-distance runs (30 to 100 miles in length) and 50 Steve Fiala SAN FRANCISCO
marathons. He even runs when he volunteers—Chuck was the first Buddy Pohl
Lisa Henson Catherine Withers Boe Steve Reagan
running member of the trail patrol for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District. In this capacity he reports on trail conditions, educates users, and helps Don Hogue Michele Bonesho Ann Robinson
with trail maintenance. He’s been running the Ridge Trail for years, and also Michael Kelley Kristi Davis Paul Swift
helped Don Lundell and Gillian Robinson last year on their Run for the Ridge. Glenn Kirby Charlie Holiday Chuck Wilson
Glen Martin Holly Holiday
John Medinger Travis Hosier SOLANO COUNTY
The council says goodbye to two board members and thanks them for their many
John Mercurio Amelia Hunt
years of dedicated service: Mary Davey and Steve Fiala. Randy Anderson
Morris Older Doris Lindfors Cindy Apaka
Dick Quigley Kelly Macavoy Kathy Blume
MARY DAVEY served eight years on the Ridge Trail board as a rep- John Rabold Andrea Manion Jane Bogner
resentative of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Jeffery Rogers Mike Rushing Donna Burla
(MROSD). She was one of the co-founders of MROSD in 1972 but Sarah Spelt
did not run for a seat on the district board until 1994. She has spent Ray Sullivan Carlo Carlucci
many years managing nonprofit/public benefit agencies (Peninsula Naomi Sultan Harry Englebright
MARIN COUNTY
Volunteers, Planned Parenthood, Palo Alto Community Foundation). Mary has Meredith Terrell Christa Foerchtgott
served on the Los Altos Hills Town Council and has been president of the Com- Lynn Axelrod Nikki Thomas Eldrith Gosney
mittee for Green Foothills, the Trust for Hidden Villa, and the Peninsula Al Baumann Karen Guenther
Conservation Center Foundation Trust. She helped raise capital and operating Connie Berto SAN MATEO Hew Hesterman
funds for these organizations as well as for the Ridge Trail Council. Leslie Cloney COUNTY Kathy Hoffman
Al DeLima Thomas Beck Luanne Johnson
STEVE FIALA has been a member of the board since the organiza- Robert Eichstaedt Mel Brown Doris Klein
tion’s inception. He has worked for the East Bay Regional Park Don Gregory Pat Dixon Michael Lane
District since 1979 and is currently the trails development program Dave Hansen Bob Emert Jeff Mathews
manager. In this capacity, he helps plan the trail system, acquires Don Herzog John Gervais Frank Morris
trail corridors, and develops new trails. Steve has been a leader and Jim Jacobsen Bob Greene Tony Norris
tireless advocate for trails in the East Bay. Over the years, he has
Fred Kanter Bob Guinn Mark Pandone
been an invaluable resource to the council and provided excellent
guidance to the council’s Trails Committee. Bill Long Doug Kerseg Marion Panzer
Lisa Luzzi Dick Lavenstein Dan Smith
Gerald McGowin Ernst Meissner Russ Turnbull
Nevin Miller George Miller Rollye Wiskerson
I A L S U M M A R Y James Steere Jean Rusmore
Barbara Weitz Franklin Sheehan SONOMA COUNTY
Dave Woody Bill Smith
2003 Total Expenses: $1,058,099 Rick Abbott
Ruth Zamist Sandy Sommer Chris Benziger
Ridge, Kids Trail Trust &
Ron Weaver Dave Chalk
& Stewards Reserve Fund NAPA COUNTY
Education 2% Kenton Clark
5% Chip Bouril SANTA CLARA Mickey Cooke
Fundraising
5% Keith Caldwell COUNTY
Pat Eliot
Administration
Jennifer Chandler Garnetta Annable Jim Finn
7%
Trail Planning
Berry Christian Dan Blong Dale Godfrey
& Coordination
37%
Laurie Davis Patty Ciesla David Hansen
David Eskelson Dinesh Desai Dave Henderson
Advancement
Fund Carol Kunze Kate Drayden Chris Jones
10%
Nancy Garrett Mary Lou Fitzpatrick Toni McRorie
Member
Services Jim Hench Jim Foran Howard Moes
10%
Trail Construction
Jo Maillard Mark Frederick Carol Vellutini
& Acquisition
24%
Herb McGrew Joel Gartland Ken Wells
Milan Pittman Kelly Gibson
Jeff Reichel Matt Hahne

A N N U A L R E P O R T | 3
THANKS TO ALL OUR DONORS IN 2003! Dennis Brown Doug Hamilton Sean Medina Kathy Stewart
Robert Brown James R. and Shinobu K. Dennis and Cynthia Meister Deborah Stone
Robert V. and Patricia M. Hamilton Lorenz Menrath Sandor and Faye Straus
Brown David Hammill Alan B. Meridian William and Angele Strnad
Stephen and Ann Brown John Hansen Robert Merkamp Janet Strobel
The California Coastal Lisa and Lee Deal Robert Kissick Katherine Brubaker Laurence and Valerie Hansen Amy Meyer Curtis Strommen
Conservancy, and the voters Jim Dickerson John Kunz Susan and Dennis Bruch Mary Jane Hargrove Karri and Pete Michell Kim Stryker and Mark Ander-
of California whose support Donna Dubinsky and Leonard Eileen Laspa John M. Bryan Family Fund Joan and Chris Harris John Milford son
Shustek Anne K. Le Blanc Catherine Bryg William and Carol Harrison Barry Milgrom and Jo Cummins Richard and Ann A. Tavan
makes our park bond funding Leslie Tchaikovsky
Eagle Cycling Club Brad and Regina Lewis Marianne Bunce Caryl Hart Thomas E. Miller
possible Alan Teitelbaum
Patricia and Ted Eliot Joe Litten Harriet Burgess Deborah Hartog Lincoln Mintz
Harry Englebright and Eve Mike Mahon Marlene Burrow Keith Haycock Wayne Montoya Steve Terwilliger
SUPPORTERS OF THE Carter P. Thacher
Somjen John H. and Roxanne Margery Bushman Peter S. Heinecke Stephanie Mooers
ADVANCEMENT FUND James F. Thacher
Evan Evans, III Guilhamet Maloney Michael G. and Deborah Butler Karen and Ross Heitkamp Linda Moran
Robert Baer S. Flaniken and Mark Randolph Timothy Mann Jerry Cahill and Kathleen King George Helder Guy Morley Ronald Theisen
S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation James Foran R. Kent Mather David and Susan Calkins Stephen Heller and Therese Lyall Morrill Max Thelen, Jr.
Thomas J. Beck Robert Friend Kathryn Kendrick McNeil John Caner and George Beier Hickey Marc Morris Brian and Carolyn Thiessen
Martha Benioff John Garrett Bill and Saowarop Meeker Bob Cant Sharon Henderson Mary Morris and Robert Baylor Jeanne Thomas
Connie and Frank Berto Diane Gibson Clayton Mitchell Anne-Marie Caple Paul A. Hensleigh, M.D. Peggy Morris and Ken Ripple Richard Thomas
Richard C. Blum Craig L. Gillespie Crystal Mitchell Louis Caputo and Rose Eufinger Panda Hershey Ronald Morrison Jody Thompson
Katherine Blume Nancy Golden John and Margaret Mooney Paul Carmichael Bill Heter William and Martha Moses Jodi D. Torres
Mark Jon Bluth, in memory of Douglas Gorman C. G. Mumford Patrick and Carla Carstens Robert Heyse Timothy K. Mueller Marcia Toruno
John A. Bluth E. M. Greenawalt Michael Musto JoAnne Castro Brian and Katrina Higgins Tom Mulvaney Daniel Toth
Ron and Joan Brown Mr. and Mrs. James Greene, Jr. Naomi Nakashima, M.D. Steven Chapman Nellie Hill Carol A. Munch Jennifer Tripp
Mary Burns Perry Greene Pacific Coast Trail Runs Alicia Chazen Frederick and Leelane Hines Douglas Nelson and Marianne Donald Trueblood
Tony Crabb and Barbara Daniel and Linda Guerra The Pedaler Bike Shop Thomas D. Childers Richard Hitchcock Babal John Tucker
Grasseschi Charles Haas Bruce Peters Tim and Elizabeth Choate William D. Holland Berney Roy Neufeld Russ Turnbull and Kathy Craig
P. D. Danzig Eric and Elaine Hahn Grant Petersen Ronald and Susan Choy Philip and Colleen Hollenbeck Robert Newcomer John Turner
Mary Davey Richard Hathorn Carol Peyser Carol Christensen, Ph.D. Kirsten Holmquist Dan and Tish Niehans John and Mary Turner
Dinesh and Joy Desai Jeffrey Heimbuck Julien Phillips Barry Christian Alan Holroyde Carl Niehaus Frank Ubhaus
Steve Fiala Douglas Highsmith John Pisacane, D.M.D. Jan Clayton David Hopkins Gary and Liz Nielsen Kazuo Utsumi
Richard Gale Jorgen and Marion Hildebrandt David I. Plotnikoff Nancy Cohen Erik S. Hora Andrew L. Niven Linda B. Valdes
Joel Gartland Joan and Don Holland Sandford Purviance Stephen Colley Cay Horstmann Kermit Nolan Donald and Carol Van Houten
David Hansen Daniel Hoth and Kim Regan Scott Ragsdale Brian Cook Sally Houston Tamara D. Norem Scott Van Tyle
John Harrington Josh Huffard and Heather Hero Francisco Razo Glenda Cook Robert and Karen Howell James Novosel W. Bradley Vest
Donald and Gloria Herzog Mary Hufty and Daniel Alegria Craig Rice, M.D. Robert Cooley Nadine A. Hubbell Ermina O’Brien Sophia L. Vicent
Kathy Hoffman Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kase Roxanne Richards Robert Crane Olivier Hubert Dr. David Oakes Sharon Vick
Robert Hoffman Jan Kohlmoos Shuny Sagara John Crawford John Hughes Stephen Oliva and Sarah Dr. and Mrs. John Wachtel
Joyce A. Kaumeyer Barbara Kosnar Liz Salzer and Dick Patricia and Christopher Cross Sammy Hung, M.D. Luis-Lopez Ken and Christina Waldeck
Michael Kelley Maureen and Robert Kremers Baumgartner Jimmy R. Crumpler Bill Hyatt Erna Ordeman Michael and Pamela Walford
Doug Kerseg Philip Lathrap Lynette Sawyer and Kent Karin Culverhouse International Mountain Orinda Hiking Club Decker Walker
Steve Kinsey Jan Leimert and Bob Miller Dupuis Ellen Daniell Bicycling Association G. C. Orman John Walker
Glenn Kirby Susie Livingstone and Russ Bruce Schine Tom and Veralyn Davids Betty Jackson John Ormond Richard and Lisa Walsh
Joyce Klein Pritchett John Semion Kathleen Davies James Jackson William Ostrander Joanna Wampler
Melvin and Joan Lane John V. Lowney Steven Shapiro Angilie Davis Sudhanshu Jain The Outdoor Art Club Li-Hsia Wang and Henry
Doris and Pete Lindfors Martha and Hans Luemers Bill Smith Matt Davis Charles H. and Ellen James The Louis and Helen Padnos Abrons
Bill Long Gordie MacDermott Jerome Solari Chris Dawson Janet Jezek Foundation David Wegenka
Marcia McNally and Randy Salem Magarian Steven Springsteel Daniel De Bra Carolyn Johnson Wendy Page David Weir
Hester Adair McClatchy Hal Stanley Debbie De Domenico Kenneth and Evelyn Johnson Sheri Parker Rosemary Welde
The John S. Osterweis Philan- Gregory and Karin McClune The Staple Family Alan and Mary Ann De Moss Sue Johnson Leighton Parks Gunnar Wennerberg
thropic Fund of the Jewish Jeta McKillip John Sutter Dennis De Vost Virginia Jordan Jonathan Pass Nancy Wenninger
Community Endowment Fund James and Anne Giannini Charles Swezey Arline and Peter Dehlinger Miriam Joscelyn Ann Patterson Andy and Sam Werback
Bob Power and Amy Forseth McWilliams Sara Syer Tom and Mary DeMund Lois Joseph Donald A. Patterson Todd Werby and Nonie Greene
Adda Quinn David Miller David Taylor Raj and Helen Desai Wyan Jow Mrs. Richard Payne Robert and Karen Wetherell
Maja Ramsey Craig Needham Roger and Sherry Taylor Patricia A. Diamond Douglas Kaewert Martine Pean John Whedon
Shauna Rose and Raymond Paul Newhagen and Antje Sandra Tichenor Scott A. Dickson Fred Kanter Anita Pearson Jim Whitaker
Sullivan McNaughton-Newhagen Daniel Tjoa Bruce and Joan Dodd Elizabeth Kaplan Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Perkins Tom Whitaker
Brian Smith and Alison Thomas Owen Phil Van Aelstyn Stacey Doherty Margaret Kaplan Ray and Roseanne C. Perman Wilhelmina White
McLean William Parkin and Margaret Arthur and Sylvia Vane Paul Doty Dave and Barbara Karlin Linda K. Persson and Dana Widman
Sandra G. Sommer Sheridan Judith Walsh Sandra B. Douglas Ron Karpel James G. Little Michel and Susan Johnson
Dee and Peter Swanhuyser Roberto and Dalia Perelman Jimmy Wang John Dracup Randle J. Kashuba Kirk Pessner and Russ Miller Willey
TAUPO Community Fund of George Postich Douglas Ward Daniel and Lee Drake Jeff K. Kaszubinski Karen Peteros Kraig and Suzan Williams
the Community Foundation David Promer Mark Wartenberg Pamela Drake Robert Katz Martin W. Peters Ann Williamson
Silicon Valley R. Terrence Rendleman John Waterbury Eileen Drew Robert and Diana Kehlmann Stephanie and Roger Peters Chuck Wilson
Holly Van Houten Jack and Margo Restrick Diane and Robert Webber Paul Dubow Mary Kelly Teresa Picchi and Joel Linzer Joss Wilson
Barbara and Leon Weitz Kathryn and Robert Riddell Ilene Weinreb Carol Duffy Frances Kendall Judith Pierce Tiana Wimmer
Wilderness Trail Bikes, with Karen D. Roche and Malcolm Joyce Wells Katherine Duffy Michael Kennedy Harvey Poppel Jon and Jill Winston
thanks to Michael Kelley L. Jones Roy West David Dunlap Virginia Kennedy Rita Poppenk Heather Winther
Wilsey Foundation Steven and Elizabeth Rosenberg Sharon Wheatley and David Tom Dunlap Carol Kersten Jessica and Jack Powell Teri Wiss
Wulfsberg Reese Colvig & Peter Rosmarin Shapiro, M.D. Catherine Dycaico Carol King James R. Pray Lynne Withey
Firstman W. Sanders Sam Williams and Ann Adams Daniel M. Dye and Estela Janet and George King The Presidio Trust Lynne Witte
Bea Zamist Santa Clara County Parks and Raleigh Wilson Alvarez-Dye David T. Kingsbury Steve and Carolyn Purcell Dawna Wolfson
Ruth L. Zamist Recreation Patricia-Anne WinterSun Edith T. and Jonathan John Kinsel P. R. and Karen Purser Weldon and Carol Wong
Anonymous Michael Santullo Michael C. Wood E. B. Eddy Steven R. Klinkner Charles Purvis Wilma Wool
Kathy and Michael Scandling Florence Younker Robin and Richard Edwards Chris Koch Chris Quinn Deann Wright
WILLIAM P. MOTT, JR., Keith Schakel Anonymous (2) Hengameh Eftekhari Pat Koch Robert and Patricia Raburn Nathaniel Wyatt and Sarah
FOUNDERS Stephen and Jeanne Schapp Richard Eigner Yvonne Koshland Michael and Janice Radesky Sweedler
Garnetta Annable Patricia Scofield TRAIL ADVOCATES Paul and Karen Eisele Manish D. Kothari and Carmen Gayna Radtke, EA Marilyn and Irvin Yalom
Bay Area Barns and Trails Trust Paul Sidenblad Paul Eisenberg Saura Leslie Rall Helen Yan
John and Heather Abbis Henry J. Ralston Mr. and Mrs. Harout
Jeanne P. Bracken Wesley and Jill Smith Claire Abram Donald F. Eldridge Lotte Kramer
Thomas Carlino Michael Sophie Ernie and Nancy Elliot Marion Kramer, M.D. Marilee Rasmussen Yenikomshian
Willy and Charles Adam Art and Pat Ravicz John William and Edel Young
Alison Chaiken Robert Stephens Beverly Adams Tracy Elmore Duane Kromm and Marilyn J.
Dana Chaiken and Susan Roll Marshall L. Stowe Christian and Jacqueline Farley Chuck Reed Stefanie Yurus
Ralph and Susan Alcorn John W. and Elizabeth Reed Andrea Zafer
Ronald and Susan Codd Douglas Straight Michael Alexander Erdman Lawrence Kuechler
P. M. and M. E. Dallam Robert and Juliette Suhr Robert J. Erickson Alice Kulka Ronald Reich J. Zastrow
Charlotte Allen Jeff and Linda Reichel Anonymous (3)
Richard and Beth Deatley Dr. and Mrs. Gary Tamkin Jeffry and Teri Allen Judith C. Etheridge Mr. and Mrs. Irwin D. Kuntz
The DeSilva Group Justin Tanous Jim Eyer and Michelle Ellison Rebecca Kurland Frances Reid
Jennifer Andersen Susan Reinhard SUPPORTERS OF
Brendan Dyson Richard S. Taylor and Tracy Mr. and Mrs. Dean Anderson Janet Eyre James La Barbera
Robert Epstein Grubbs Bob Fabry and Susan Taylor Peter and Sue La Tourrette Rebecca Reis THE TRAIL TRUST
John and Ursula Anderson Barbara and David Rice
Gordy and Linda Ferguson Gary Thompson Rick Anderson Robbie and Anthony Fanning Jeanne M. Laberge Grassi Construction, Inc.
Richard and Rhoda Goldman Jim and Mary Tomlinson Albert and Sheila Faris Kimberly A. Land Francisco Rico Spottswoode Vineyard
Steven and Lisa Anderson Robert Rinauro
Fund David Towle and Luvonne Virginia Anderson Mary Jane Fay Mary Lanier The Tarbell Family Foundation
Lisa and Douglas Goldman Stewart Cynthia Feakins Denny Lanterman Pam Rino Anonymous
Susan Anstrand James Rittenhouse
Fund Clifford Walker Nick and Marcia Anton Robert and Kathy Feldman Lesley Lathrop-Hanna
Maurice and Jan Holloway Justin Walker and Beatrice Bruce Finch Richard and Emmy Lou Stephen and Beth Robie SUPPORTERS OF RIDGE
Albert Arabia Leigh and Ivy Robinson
Hover Family Trust Yormark Robert Arko and Aura Oslapas Bruce and Janet Fischer Lavenstein KIDS AND STEWARDS
Ron Howie Carter J. Warr John Henry Fisher Joyce Law F. Hase Rodenbaugh
Renee Armstrong Helen Rodrigues The San Francisco Foundation
Steven and Alison Hussey The Winifred and Harry B. Mary Lou Atkins Louis Fisher Paul and Sheila Leach
Allen Foundation Susan Flagg and Carlo Rocca Katherine L. Leary Dante Rodriguez The Bernard Osher Foundation
Rod and Jonnie Jacobs Richard Auger
Lee and Wini Jebian Lynn Wyman Tal and Sarah Fletcher Jim Lee Virginia Rogers Earth Share of California and
Aaron Baggs Daniel Rosen all the companies and their
Kevin Kelly and Germaine Fuh Yosemite National Institutes Cathy Baird and Stan Karp Robert Flint Kitt and James Lee
Doris Klein Charlotte Ziems and Stewart Christa Foerchtgott C. and M. Leith Bernard Ross employees who participate in
Mark Baker Hugh L. Ross workplace giving campaigns
Rob Knourek Alsop Linda Ballentine Thomas and Pamela Frame Mr. and Mrs. J. Lenahan
Ambassador L. W. and Michael Frederich Carol Leonard Michael Rowbotham
Steve Bangert Larry Rubinstein COMPANIES WHO
Mrs. Jean Lane 15TH ANNIVERSARY Lois and Kenneth Barker John and Barbara Friedenbach Richard and Betty Leonards
Hollis Lenderking TRAIL ADVOCATES Karen Froming Steve Lerner Christopher Sanders MATCH THEIR
Frank Barrett Richard Sanders EMPLOYEES’ GIFTS
Corenne McKinley Rod and Cris Baker Robert and Elisabeth Bathgate William Galcher Anthony Leuin and Jean
Ross and Jess Millikan Everett Games Bertrand Robert Sargent ChevronTexaco Corporation
Bonnie and Michael Barr Al Baumann Wesley Sawyer
Mr. and Mrs. John Nichols Thomas R. Baruch Frank S. Bayley Holly H. Ganz Mimi Levison Esurance, Inc.
Middleton O’Brien Garrod Farms Riding Stables Eric Lewis Kelly J. Scanlon Hewlett-Packard
Marian Beard Irwin Bear Robert and Caprice
Michael O’Halloran Katherine K. Berman Steve and Jane Beck Renata Gasperi Marshall and Elaine Lim Marin Community Foundation
Dorine Real and Lee Tepper David Gately Frank Lin Scarborough Charles and Helen Schwab
Dick Bjorndal Keith Beckwith Suzanne and Robert
Mary Ellen Richey William Boeckmann Kati and Walter Bell Charles Gauronskas Dorothy Lindheim Foundation
Toni and Arthur Rock Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Geballe Thomas Lipkis Schauwecker Charles Schwab Corporation
Stuart H. Brown Lisa Ann Bellm Philip and Shirley Schild
Jean and Ted Rusmore Virginia Bruno Paula Belloni Daniel Gelbaum Maria and Helmut Lippert VISA International
Andrew Sessler David Gerson Bruce A. Locke James and Erica Schleicher
Callander Associates Beltane Ranch James Schlueter
Sierra Club Bay Chapter William and Deborah Carr Kathleen Bennett Luciano Giampa Lynda K. Locke IN-KIND DONORS
Backpack Section Lynn and James Gibbons Lance Lollini and Patricia Diane Schmidt
Don Cassidy Cort Benningfield Walter Schnitzius Any Mountain
Clyde Stiteler Gary Chock Robert and Mari Benson Denise Gilbert Day-Lollini
Ellen Gilkerson and Leslie Carol Long, in memory of Ralph Kevin Schoenfeld California Canoe and Kayak
Charles Thurber Michael and Lois Cornell Joanna Berg and Dan Chris Benziger
Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s Lamport Reynolds Richard and Therese Schoofs
Una Daly Finkelstein Jo and Albert Schreck Carlo Carlucci
Association Dorothy DeProspero and Gerald Berkeley Hills Realty Clinton and Mary Gilliland Kate Lorig
Susan G. Ginsky Los Viajeros Riding Club Bill and Clarisa Schreeder Clif Bar
Jessica Tuteur Glaser Bob Berman Crissy Field Center
Barbara Walker Hillary Gitelman John Lovitt Ralph Schwall
Diablo Arabian Horse William Bernell Marion Schwartz Mary and Jack Davey
Ron Weaver and Linda Association Lisa C. Berry and Leslie F. Donald Glaser Ann Ludwig
Elizabeth Gleghorn, M.D. David Lunn Reed Searle David Hansen
Dyson-Weaver Judy A. Doi Johnson Heller Ehrman White &
Fred Winslow Margaret Gnam Matthew Lynde Charles and Janet Y. Seim
Russ and Verna Dow Jim Best Nick and Maya Selby McAuliffe
Layne Zimmerman Scott and Inga Duncan Sandra and Bruce Beyaert Marilyn Goldhaber Mr. and Mrs. Douglas
Seth Goldsmith MacGregor Edward and Elizabeth Sesek Donald Herzog
Anonymous (2) East Bay Regional Park District Bicycle Trails Council of the Mark Linder
Peter Goldstein Harriet MacLean Connie and Kevin Shanahan
Harold and Marian Ellis East Bay Patricia and Merrill Shanks Doris and Pete Lindfors
TRAIL PARTNERS Mr. and Mrs. William H. Ellis Barbara Biebush Hilary B. Goldstine Cecily and David Majerus
John Good Nina Maloney Robert and Nancy Sheets Don Lundell
Diana Aldrich Allen and Susan Falk Bryan and Teresa Biegel Christine S. Shirley and Tony Mike’s Bikes
James and Bette Felton Ken Billheimer Erica Tucker Goode Julie Malork
Ruthanne Allen-Hunt Peter Goodman Lawrence Manhart, Sr. Anthony New Belgium Brewery
Edward Arens Daniel James Fitzgerald Paul Billig Robert and Patricia Siegel Joseph Phelps Winery
Vincent Fuller, III W. Richard and Wendy Edward and Francesca Harold Mann and Kathy
David Arpi and Natalie Gubb Goodstein Kretchmer Frank Silver John Rabold
Susan Barkan Russell Garvin Bingham Dwight Simpson Responsible Organized
Alison Geballe Sandra Bird Bea Goop-Lott Seth Manning
Neil and Gene Barth Pamela L. Gordon Linda and Bill Manry Ronald G. Simpson Mountain Pedalers
Steve and Terry Beck Gloria Gee Robert Craig Birner Kathleen Sinclair Gillian Robinson
Landonia Gettell Karen Bjork Janet Gore Linda Marten
Charles and Jenny Beeler Thorsten Graeve Randall Martin Carol Skarda The Runners High
Eugene Belogorsky, M.D. Judy Gillette and John Price William Blair Gail Maureen Skinner Sheila Ryan
Christine Golde Terrence Blaschke Kim and Susan Graham Piero Martinucci
Don and Deborah Bennett Susan Graziano and Chris David and Theresa Timothy and Lucy Smallsreed The San Francisco Foundation
Sheldon M. Berz June Harman Carl Boilard Alan R. and Patricia Smith San Mateo County Parks and
Kevin and Roberta Hayashi Mark Bonino Adams Mathiasmeier
Mark Brandemuehl Greenbelt Alliance James May Dana Smith Recreation
Business Bank of California Jane Hiatt and Robert Pearl Christopher P. Booth Shelly Smith and Neal Kramer Silverado Vineyards
Michael Hinton Charlie Bowen Robert Greene John and Nell McBeth
Elizabeth Byers and Mark Anne Gregersen John and Kathy McCorduck Thomas Snyder Squire Sanders & Dempsey
Cavagnero Richard Holden Janet Bowman Marion H. Softky Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s
Charles Inman Randy J. Brabham Donald Gregory Sally McCraven
Carlo Carlucci Deon and Eldon Gresham William and Anne McDowell Michael Sogard Association
Marc A. Carrasco Jeffrey W. Johnson David and Eva Bradford Richard Spaete The Vallejo Artists’ Guild
Phillip and Katharine Johnson Margaret Bales Brady Leslie Grimm Jody McGeen
Kevin Castner Lance and Katherine Gyorfi George A. McKray Gary Spratling Whole Foods
Marian C. Christensen Suzanne Johnson William Brew and Jane Joe Stampleman Wilderness Press
Chris Jones Volk-Brew Gerhard Haas John McLachlan
Burton Corsen Mary Haber Dan McNear Richard Stanley
Lynden Davis Jeffry and Debra Kalmon Carl and Lisa Brodsky Art and Peggy Stauffer
Greg and Rachel Kamman Gene and Kittie Brodsky Matt Hahne J. A. McQuown
Daniel Dawson and Janice Earl F. Hale Katherine Meadowcroft David and Jane Stern
Frazier Kevin and Janey Kaster Eliana Brooke Marjorie Stern
Alan Kates Allan Brown Susan T. Hamamoto James Meakin
Mr. and Mrs. George De Bey

A N N U A L R E P O R T | 4
 S U M M E R 2 0 0 4

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 13. WINDY HILL EQUESTRIAN RIDE

San Mateo County
Santa Rosa
10 4 San Mateo County
Kenwood
Time: 10:00 AM Sebastopol Yountville
Sunday, July 18
SONOMA INFO RMATION KEY
Distance: 2 to 10 miles Time: 4:00 PM ride out from the Portola Town
Guided hikes, and bike and equestrian rides, are sched-
5 20 N A PA
Vacaville
Completed
Ridge Trail Center
Segments
uled every week in the SF-Peninsula Watershed on the Sonoma
Napa Proposed
Horses must be in condition for hill climb; breast
Bay Area Ridge Trail. Outings require well-condi- Trail Corridor collars recommended. Reservations are required.
tioned walkers, experienced mountain bikers, and Petaluma
3 Contact: For more information visit
0 5 10 MI
accomplished equestrians with conditioned horses. Fairfield openspace.org or to sign up call the MROSD reser-
Outings are limited to 20 people and fill up quickly. 7 SOLANO 0 5 10 15 KM
vation number, 650-691-2150. Leave e-mail and
Contact: Sign up online at sfwater.org phone information.
Vallejo
or call 650-652-3203. N
Novato 14. TOUR DE FAT
2. MT. MADONNA HIKE San Francisco
MARIN
Santa Clara County Saturday, July 31
6 Join the Ridge Trail Council, the San Francisco
Saturday, June 5 Pinole 11
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM San Rafael
Concord Bike Coalition, and New Belgium Brewery for a day
Distance/Pace: 8 miles, moderate pace, Richmond
of fun and music celebrating bicycling and beer.
1500' elevation gain. Walnut Join in a morning fun ride and in the afternoon,
Creek
Begin at Sprig Lake in Mt. Madonna County Park taste four types of beers, including Fat Tire Ale. Pro-
and hike up through a shady forest; return via the Berkeley 16 CONTRA C O S TA
ceeds benefit the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council.
Sausalito
Ridge Trail. Oakland 17 Volunteers are needed to help in the beer garden.
Contact: Matt Hahne, 408-749-9968. San
Francisco
Directions: Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park,
14 San Francisco
3. WINE COUNTRY ENDURANCE RIDE Contact: For more information or to volunteer, call
Sa
n

Napa County 415-561-2595 or visit ridgetrail.org.

Fr

Livermore
Saturday, June 5 Hayward
an

This 25- or 50-mile equestrian ride is a benefit for San Bruno 15. PURISIMA CREEK HIKE
ci
sc

Skyline Wilderness Park and the Bay Area Ridge Pacifica San Mateo County
o

ALAMEDA
Trail. The ride is routed on a section of the Bay 1 Saturday, August 7
Ba

San
Mateo
Time: 8:30 AM for carpool from Santa Clara
y

Area Ridge Trail in Skyline Wilderness Park and

PA

SAN Fremont
also passes through two large cattle ranches. The MATEO
County or 9:30 AM at Huddart trailhead
CI

base camp will be located at Skyline Wilderness Half Moon Bay Redwood
Distance/Pace: 11.4 miles round trip or 5.7 miles
City
with possible car drop, moderate pace, 1000' eleva-
FI

Park. Over the past eight years the rides have raised
more than $20,000 for trail projects. 8 12,
12, 15 tion loss in first 2 miles requires climb.
C

Milpitas

Contact: Jessica Tuteur, 707-258-1937 or Hike the Ridge Trail in Purisma Creek Redwoods
jessicat@napanet.net.
13 Los Altos
Open Space Preserve. Forested areas can be bathed
O

San Jose in fog in summer while open south-facing ridges

C

4. SUGARLOAF RIDGE HIKE may be hot. Bring lunch and water. Call leader to
E

S A N TA CLARA
A

CARPOOL FROM SANTA CLARA COUNTY discuss carpooling and possible car drop for those
19
N

Sonoma County Los

Saturday, June 5
Time: 7:30 AM for carpool from Santa Clara
County
Distance/Pace: 6.7 miles round trip, moderate pace,
1500' elevation gain
We will hike up the Ridge Trail through grasslands,
oak-fir-madrone woodlands, and chaparral to the
top of Bald Mountain. Summer temperatures can be
very high. Bring lunch, water, and money for a food
stop on the return. Reservations required.
Contact: Garnetta Annable, 408-371-9210.
5. JACK LONDON PARK HIKE
BY-INVITATION OUTINGS
Sonoma County
Saturday, June 12
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Distance/Pace: 8 to 10 miles, moderately strenuous,
1000' elevation gain
Take an early summer walk on the Ridge Trail through
Jack London State Historic Park to the park bound-
ary and the Skiles property. This is an opportunity to
see how the existing Ridge Trail may connect with
the segment planned through the Skiles property.
Bring lunch, liquids, sun protection, and hiking boots.
Directions: Meet at the lower parking lot (turn
right after park entrance) of Jack London State His-
toric Park (entrance fee).
Contact: Rick Abbott, 707-525-9206 or
abbsfam@sonic.net.
6. CROCKETT HILLS HIKE
BY-INVITATION OUTING
Contra Costa County
Saturday, June 12
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Distance: 7 to 8 miles
Come tour this future regional park, the C & H Sugar
property, with East Bay Regional Park District Assis-
tant General Manager Bob Doyle. When the park
opens, it will feature 4.5 miles of the Ridge Trail.
Contact: Call the Muir Heritage Land Trust to make
a reservation and get directions, 925-228-5460.
7. SWETT/KING RANCHES HIKES
Solano County
Saturdays, June 12 and September 11
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Distance/Pace: 6 to 7 miles, moderate pace, less
than 1000' elevation gain
Explore lands that are not yet open to the public
but will soon include a segment of the Bay Area
Ridge Trail. Each hike will go to another corner of
the ranches. Excellent views of bay, marsh, creeks
and grasslands abound. There are no trails; long
pants, water, snacks, and good boots are recom-
mended. Sponsored by the Bay Area Ridge Trail
and the Solano Land Trust. Heavy rain cancels.
Directions: Meet at the park and ride lot at the
Hiddenbrooke Parkway/American Canyon Road
exit of I-80. We will carpool to the trailhead.
Contact: Kathy Blume, 707-864-2108.
8. PURISIMA EQUESTRIAN RIDE
San Mateo County
Sunday, June 13
Time: 12:00 PM ride out, tack up earlier
Equestrian docent-lead ride on the Bay Area Ridge
Trail in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District’s (MROSD) Purisima Creek Redwoods
Open Space Preserve. Time and length of the ride
may vary with riders and capabilities, changes in
weather, or seasonal trail closures. Horses must be
in condition for hill climb; breast collars recom-
mended. Lunch at local restaurant, 2:00 PM.
Reservations are required.
Gatos who want to do one-way trip.
Contact: Call Garnetta Annable, 408-371-9210.
9
16. TILDEN PARK VOLKSWALK
Morgan
Hill
Alameda County
Saturday, August 14
S A N TA CRUZ 18 Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The proposed trail corridor represents a conceptual plan to connect
the remaining parks and public open spaces within the Bay Area Ridge Distance: 6.2 miles
Trail corridor. This conceptual map conveys no rights to the public to Gilroy
enter private property without the owner’s permission. This is the third in a series of volkswalks on different
Prepared by CartoGraphics, S.F. Revised 1/04 by Bobbi Sloan Design
Santa Cruz
2 sections of the Ridge Trail. The route is dirt and black-
top trails through Tilden Park, and moderately hilly.
Start any time between 8:00 AM and noon to walk at
your own pace on a well-marked trail. The event is
sponsored by the Vaca Valley Volks, the Solano
Directions: Meet at the Purisima OSP parking lot a mile or so from Hood Mountain. Bring lunch, liq- County affiliate of the American Volkssport Associa-
next to the old country store on Highway 35. uids, sun protection, and hiking boots. Weather tion—a network of 450 clubs across the country that
Contact: For more information visit openspace.org could be hot. Meeting place to be provided later. hosts more than 3,000 events a year. Free, unless walk-
or to sign up call the MROSD reservation number, Contact: Rick Abbott, 707-525-9206 or ing for volkssport credit. A commemorative patch
650-691-2150. Leave e-mail and phone informa- abbsfam@sonic.net. with the Ridge Trail logo will be available for a small
tion. fee. Exact start point not available at press time.
11. EBMUD WATERSHED HIKE
Contact: Visit VacaVolks.org and follow the links
9. ALMADEN QUICKSILVER HIKE BY-INVITATION OUTING
Santa Clara County Contra Costa County
to scheduled walks. You can also e-mail
info@VacaVolks.org or call Jill Simmons at
Saturday, June 19 Saturday, July 10
707-448-5148. For more information about
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
volkssporting, visit ava.org.
Distance/Pace: 6 miles, easy trail, moderate pace Join Muir Heritage Land Trust Board Member Joe
Explore old mining sites of California’s richest Byrne for a hike to explore the EBMUD watershed
17. EAST BAY HILLS EQUESTRIAN RIDE
mine and walk on the newly dedicated Ridge Trail. lands between Franklin Hills and Briones Regional
Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Bring lunch, water, and a hat. Park. The Ridge Trail will be routed through these September 1-6
Directions: Meet at Almaden Quicksilver Mining lands. This event, a benefit for the Ridge Trail, is spon-
Museum at 21350 Almaden Road in San Jose. Contact: Call the Muir Heritage Land Trust to sored by the Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s
Contact: Jim Foran, 408-434-0101. make a reservation and get directions, 925-228- Association and the Metropolitan Horsemen’s Asso-
5460. ciation. The 100-mile ride traverses the East Bay
10. HOOD MOUNTAIN HIKE
Sonoma County
regional parks. You may join for all or a part of the
12. WUNDERLICH PARK HIKE
Saturday, July 10 San Mateo County
ride. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided,
along with hay and carrots for the horses.
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday, July 10
Contact: To reserve a spot or for more information,
Distance/Pace: 8 to 10 miles, moderately strenuous, Time: 8:30 AM for carpool from Santa Clara
contact Morris Older at 925-254-8943 or
1600' elevation gain, County or 9:30 AM at Wunderlich trailhead
morrisolder@earthlink.net.
Hood Mountain Regional Park was recently Distance/Pace: 12.4 miles round trip or 6.2 miles
enlarged through the acquisition of the Johnson with possible car drop, moderate pace
18. UVAS CANYON HIKE
property. This acquisition will allow future access This is an easy, shaded trail with only small changes
Santa Clara County
to the park from Highway 12 and Pythian Rd. A in elevation. The trail winds through fir and red- Saturday, September 11
potential Ridge Trail alignment runs through this wood forests, and in and out of small ravines. Bring Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
new area, which would connect Hood Mountain lunch and water. Call leader to discuss carpooling Distance: 6 miles, 1400' elevation gain
Regional Park to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. We’ll and possible car drop for those who want to do a Hike to Knibb’s Knob and back. Bring lunch, water,
begin our hike at the end of Pythian Road, ascend one-way trip. and a hat. Meet at the upper day-use parking lot at
old ranch roads, pass two beautiful ponds, and stop Contact: Garnetta Annable, 408 371-9210. Uvas Canyon County Park.
Contact: Matt Hahne, 408-749-9968.
19. LONG RIDGE HIKE
Santa Clara County
Saturday, September 11
Time: 8:30 AM for carpool or 9:30 AM at Long
Ridge trailhead
Distance/Pace: 8 miles, moderate pace
Explore the new segment of trail opened in May 2004
from Long Ridge to Skyline-to-the-Sea. Bring lunch
and water. Call leader to discuss carpooling and pos-
sible car drop for those who want to do one-way trip.
Contact: Garnetta Annable, 408-371-9210.
20. SONOMA RIDGE TRAIL
Sonoma County
Saturday, September 18
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Distance/Pace: 10 miles, moderately strenuous,
1300' elevation gain
This trail is the most recent addition to the Bay Area
Ridge Trail in Sonoma County’s Jack London State
Historic Park. Bring lunch, liquids, sun protection,
and hiking boots. Weather could be hot.
The Ridge Trail and its partners offer special outings to places not yet accessible to the public. In June, Directions: Meet at the lower parking lot (turn right
after park entrance) of Jack London State Historic
the Muir Heritage Land Trust will host a hike on an East Bay Regional Park District property in the Park (entrance fee).
Crockett Hills (above) that will feature a segment of the Ridge Trail when opened to the public. Photo Contact: Rick Abbott, 707-525-9206 or
courtesy of the East Bay Regional Park District. abbsfam@sonic.net.

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

PAID

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

PERMIT NO. 3001

BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL COUNCIL

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

Staff John Harrington

Treasurer
Holly Van Houten
Executive Director Thomas Beck
Bob Power Kathy Blume
South & East Bay Trail Jed Cyr
Director Mark Evanoff
Dee Swanhuyser Mark Frederick
North Bay Trail Director Joel Gartland
John Aranson David Hansen
Trail Steward Don Herzog
Camie Bontaites Doug Kerseg
Program Coordinator
Steve Kinsey
Martha Benioff Glenn Kirby
Office Manager
Carol Kunze
Frank Morris
Ridge Lines Morris Older
Editor Brian O’Neill
Elizabeth Byers
Brian Smith
Designer Sandy Sommer
Bobbi Sloan Design
Ray Sullivan
Carol Vellutini
Board of Barbara Weitz
Directors Chuck Wilson
Bill Long Ruth Zamist
Chair
Mary Burns
Vice Chair
Michael Kelley
The Matt Davis/Coastal Trail,
Secretary also the Ridge Trail, in Mt.
Tamalpais State Park. Photo by
Elizabeth Byers.

Annual Report Inside! Printed on recycled paper.

Contra Costa County to Vote on Open Space

In June, Contra Costa property owners will have an opportu-
nity to vote on a measure that would restore and maintain
existing neighborhood and regional parks; protect important
remaining open spaces, wildlife habitats, and farmlands, as well as
waterfront land around creeks, lakes, and the bay; and provide
funding for the creation and restoration of key educational and
In Memoriam
wildlife facilities. The hillsides and ridgelines are targeted for pro-
tection, including lands in the Muir Heritage corridor.
Twenty-five percent of the funding raised through the open-space In January, we were deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Ridge
measure would support the maintenance and renovation of exist-
ing parkland and recreational areas throughout the county. Trail Council Executive Director Clifford Janoff. He died January 25 fol-
This is the first comprehensive, countywide measure for open- lowing complications from brain surgery. Clifford was 64 and lived in Mill
space protection since 1988. The measure would raise
approximately $8 million annually. The proposed rate for virtually Valley. Besides his tenure as executive director of the Ridge Trail Council
all single-family homes is $25 a year or about $2 a month. A bal- from 1997 to 2001, Clifford was also executive director of Friends of the
lot will be mailed to Contra Costa County property owners on
June 10. The open-space measure is sponsored by the Contra Urban Forest and, most recently, Elpida House. He was an award-winning
Costa Coalition for Open Space in conjunction with Contra
documentary film maker, having spent 15 years in the 1970s and 80s mak-
Costa County. The Ridge Council endorses this measure and
urges you to vote yes on your ballot. For more information, visit ing educational and environmental films. Clifford was also a photographer,
www.contracostaopenspace.org or call the Coalition for Open
Space at 925-381-4187. avid kayaker, and runner.
The spring 1998 issue of Ridge Lines introduced Clifford as the new
executive director and noted how “friends and co-workers often mentioned
From time to time we share our membership list only with other worthy
nonprofit organizations we think you would be interested in knowing his wry, self-deprecating sense of humor.” We all remember with a smile Clif-
more about. We never share our membership list with for-profit organiza-
tions. Exchange arrangements with other nonprofit organizations greatly ford’s sense of humor. Executive Director Holly Van Houten says, “Clifford
benefit the council by helping us publicize the Ridge Trail and increase
our membership of people who are committed to completing the trail. left a legacy at the Ridge Trail Council that I continue to benefit from. He
However, should you prefer not to be included in future exchange agree-
ments, please let us know and we will make sure you are excluded from all strengthened the organization with his financial and management savvy, cre-
future exchanges with nonprofit organizations.
ated a new partnership with the Coastal Conservancy that continues to be very
fruitful, and started negotiations with many private landowners for trail access
where trails are now being built.” Clifford will be missed by his daughter,
Sarah; his friends and family; and all of us at the Ridge Trail Council.
Thanks to Clif Bar for being a
product sponsor of the Bay Area
Ridge Trail Council.

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