Email
Font Resize
A conservation group is set to expand the Bay Area Ridge Trail by 1.5 miles this week when it opens a segment along with the 702-acre Fernandez Ranch open space between Hercules and Martinez.
The Muir Heritage Land Trust acquired the former cattle ranch in 2005 for $3.2 million. After spending a similar amount to repair environmental damage and build trails there, the nonprofit on Saturday will open the property to hikers, horse riders and mountain bicyclists.
The group will debut a total of 3.5 miles of trails on Fernandez Ranch, including the ridge trail segment, plus a parking lot off Christie Road for trail users.
"This is a wonderful addition to the ridge trail and open space in this area," said Linus Eukel, executive director of the nonprofit that buys and manages open space.
"This is the story of a cattle ranch dating back to Spanish land grants now becoming an open space managed for public recreation and to protect natural resources."
The land trust also has opened another 2.5 miles of ridge trail on other land between Martinez and Hercules, becoming a relatively small but important partner in the ridge trail. The East Bay Regional Park District and East Bay Municipal Utility District operate longer segments of the ridge trail.
Conservationists say the new open space and trail segments provide an important access point for people who want to use the large swath of parks, open space and watershed land in a corridor
The ridge trail segment crosses a new 156-foot-long bridge over Rodeo Creek and leads pasts wetlands, meadows and forests with ferns and bay trees up to other trail connections on tall ridges.
Some 200 volunteers worked last year to carve the new trail, known by segments named for the Alameda whipsnake and wood rat, two rare animals on Fernandez Ranch.
"Acquiring land for the ridge trail also means protecting valuable wildlife travel corridors," Eukel said.
With the Fernandez Ranch addition, 37 miles, or 77 percent, of the ridge trail is complete in Contra Costa County, said Janet McBride, executive director of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. There are nine miles left to be completed.
Trail managers and advocates say finding places for the trail to cross over such freeways as Highway 4 will be a challenge.
Building a pedestrian bridge over a freeway would be prohibitively expensive, so planners say they are trying to find routes that make use of existing overpasses.
Debut of a gem
Fernandez Ranch, between Hercules and Martinez: Scenic new trails wind through forests and grasslands, and the ranch abounds with places to connect to other trails. Where: Accessible via Christie Road, a narrow road off Highway 4.
Bay vistas abound
Crockett Hills Regional Park: A recently improved portion of ridge trail offers sweeping views of San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the Delta and the Carquinez Bridge. Raptors like to coast on the thermal winds here. Where: From Martinez, take Highway 4 west to the Cummings Skyway. Turn right on Crockett Boulevard and left into the staging area.
Amid traffic -- beauty
Benicia Bridge: A two-way bike-pedestrian lane on the bridge offers sweeping views of the Carquinez Strait and the Mothball Fleet. Where: The easiest access point is a Caltrans overlook and parking lot off Interstate 680 on the Benicia side of the bridge.
Small, stunning peak
Mount Wanda, Martinez: A short but steep trail goes a mile up to the top of the 460-foot-high peak, offering views of Martinez and Benicia. Where: Mount Wanda, in the John Muir National Historic Site, is accessible from Alhambra Valley Road just south of Highway 4.
Devil of a view
Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve, El Sobrante: Some 2.5 miles of trails leads to ridges with views of San Pablo Bay and Mount Diablo. Where: Accessible via a trailhead at the end of Coach Drive.
-- Compiled by Denis Cuff
If you go
The Muir Heritage Land Trust will hold hikes and dedication ceremonies for the Fernandez Ranch open space and a new ridge trail section there from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. To reach Fernandez Ranch from Martinez, go west on Highway 4 and take the Franklin Canyon exit. Turn left at the stop sign and enter Highway 4 eastbound. Veer right onto Christie Road just before a train overpass.
