The Trail Companion

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The date for construction of the Alpine Road bypass trail reroute reported earlier has been delayed because of staffing shortages in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. In addition, MROSD hasn't yet decided whether the rerouted trail should be singletrack or a service road, although the new trail will likely be only a singletrack since Alpine Road would need additional work above the bypass to allow vehicular traffic - which would only occur if San Mateo County were also involved.
      As reported in our Spring issue, Alpine Road will be closed between Willowbrook and the Portola town limits, 1/4 mi. below Joaquin Rd. for July-November for a major road regarding and resurfacing project on Alpine, as well as driveway construction for a new house under construction in the inholding below the Spring Ridge Trail. As a result, there will be no access to Windy Hill from any of the Alpine Road trailheads, including Razorback Ridge.

Due to a slide, horses are not allowed on the Skid Road Trail between the White Oak Trail and the Canyon Trail. Bikes are allowed, but must be walked past slide.

The MROSD Board of Directors approved purchase of 73 acres of oak-covered canyon and grassy hillsides to the north of Pulgas Ridge OSP. The parcel is the last large undeveloped tract of land in the area and could eventually provide trail links to the San Francisco watershed lands to the north and west. The property is especially valuable because it largely free of the many invasive exotic plants that plague Pulgas Ridge. MROSD had been discussing purchase for years and was able to get the property for a bargain price of $1.27 million. The property would have been sold for development long ago had potential developers been able to approval for annexation to San Carlos, critical to hooking up sewer and water lines.

The MROSD Board also approved purchase of a 95-acre parcel adjacent to Russian Ridge that will be incorporated into the Preserve. The parcel includes steep, forested slopes into the Mindego Creek canyon with some old-growth Douglas fir and a view of Mindego Hill, an ancient volcano. A house, barn, other outbuildings, and a small orchard are located on the parcel; MROSD plans to rent out the house.

An updated Master Plan is in progress at Sierra Azul OSP. The preserve is home to a wide variety of natural resources, including lush riparian habitat, redwoods, serpentine grasslands, and steep chaparral. A team of staff and consultants is mapping and evaluating the preserve's natural and cultural resources, encompassing flora and fauna; geology, hydrology and soils; historic and archeological sites; and the existing road and trail system. The completed plan will help guide development of trails and other potential recreational facilities within the preserve, as well as the important regional trails - most notably the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which connects the preserve to Almaden Quicksilver County Park and Soquel Demonstration Forest. MROSD will hold a series of public planning meetings this fall, with some informational meetings scheduled for the next few months. Contact MROSD at (650) 691-1200 or visit the MROSD website for more information.

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