Trail Building Projects

Trail Repair at McNee Ranch State Park

For 2004, we are continuing work to repair severe erosion damage on two trails in McNee Ranch State Park this year: Gray Whale Cove Trail and Old Pedro Road. Both trails get a lot of use and both are in bad shape. We begin work on Gray Whale Cove Trail in Spring 2003 to repair the damage and began work on Old Pedro Trail in Fall 2003.

Gray Whale Cove Trail

In the initial climb out from the parking area, there is a 400-500 ft. section of trail that is damaged by erosion and needs several sets of water bars or other diversions and then a regrading and smoothing. Some additional minor cleanup and repair further along the trail may also be needed.

Old Pedro Road

The Old Pedro Road used to be the highway access to the area, but was finally closed due to construction of a coastside highway and better access. Today this trail has suffered considerable erosion damage, and needs repairs including a new culvert, fixups of damage to various turnouts, and restoration of complete washouts at a few points.

Supervising Rangers for this project are Chet Bardo and Valerie Maciejowska.

For more information about McNee Ranch State Park, see the unofficial parks info page.

Directions: McNee Ranch is approximately 24 miles south of San Francisco on State Highway One. From the peninsula and points south, take Highway 92 west to Half Moon Bay, then Highway One north for 8 miles.

There are two entrances to McNee Ranch: Gray Whale Cove at the north and Martini Creek at the south. Both entrances give access to the main trails through the park. The Gray Whale Cove entrance is approximately 3 miles south of the Linda Mar Avenue stoplight (the last one in Pacifica) on the inland side of the highway.

The Martini Creek entrance is about 1 mile further south, on the left or about 8 miles north of the town of Half Moon Bay.

Saturday, February 21, 2004 - Gray Whale Cove Trail

Activities: A major reconstruction project for connector trails between the Gray Whale Cove Trail and the Old Pedro Road Trail, restoration of water bars, pruning of overgrowth, and removal of non-native foliage. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the junction of Old Pedro Road and the North Peak Access Road. Volunteers should proceed through the yellow triangular gate found at the southern border of McNee Ranch (the Martini Creek trailhead) and drive approximately 1/4 mile down the access road until they see the first residence on the left, which is the Ranger's house. Parking is available along Old Pedro Road. [COMPLETED]

Saturday, March 20, 2004 - Old Pedro Road Trail

Activities: Clearing of clogged culverts, restoration of inside drainage ditches, creation or restoration of water bars as needed, pruning of overgrowth, and removal of non-native foliage along the trail. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the junction of Old Pedro Road and the North Peak Access Road. Volunteers should proceed through the yellow triangular gate found at the southern border of McNee Ranch (the Martini Creek trailhead) and drive approximately 1/4 mile down the access road until they see the first residence on the left, which is the Ranger's house. Parking is available along Old Pedro Road. The makeup date in case of rain for this build is March 27th. [COMPLETED]

Saturday, November 13, 2004 - Old Pedro Road Trail

Activities: Clearing of clogged culverts, restoration of inside drainage ditches, creation or restoration of water bars as needed, pruning of overgrowth, and removal of non-native foliage along the trail. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the junction of Old Pedro Road and the North Peak Access Road. Volunteers should proceed through the yellow triangular gate found at the southern border of McNee Ranch (the Martini Creek trailhead) and drive approximately 1/4 mile down the access road until they see the first residence on the left, which is the Ranger's house. Parking is available along Old Pedro Road.

Information on selected past projects is available from the Project Information index.

See our Calendar & Activity Guide for additional volunteer opportunities.