For years, the trails of Pacific Union College’s forested lands have been known mostly by word of mouth; even students at the college were sometimes unaware of the college’s 35 miles of recreational trails through over 1,000 acres of rich biodiversity and striking beauty.
Now, thanks to a new trail license agreement between PUC, the Napa County Regional Parks and Open Spaces District (NCRPOSD), PUC’s forest is literally “on the map” for those who wish to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through PUC’s coast redwoods, Douglas firs, ponderosa pines, oaks, bay laurels, and Madrones. They may even see a rare Napa False Indigo or hear the calls of the threatened Northern Spotted Owl.
The agreement means PUC’s forest will be incorporated into the district’s set of open spaces parks here in Napa County and join part of PUC’s trail network into the bay area ridge trail.
“Growing into the future, PUC is excited to partner with the Napa County Regional Parks and Open Spaces District and the Bay Area Ridge Trail to the mutual benefit of all three organizations, and to the local community who cherish the PUC Forest” exclaims PUC Forest Manager Peter Lecourt.
While this license will not change the essential character and unequalled ecological value of PUC’s forest, it does represent a major milestone in the history and future of the PUC forest.
Last year the PUC took a major step toward permanently preserving its unique open space heritage by placing a conservation easement over much of its forest lands. This trail license can be seen as the next logical step, providing a framework for allowing public use of the trail system that already exists in the forest. The District can now focus on developing a multi-use hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding trail connecting the District’s Moore Creek Park to PUC and the community of Angwin.
Open Space District Partnerships
“Pacific Union College has long been a valued part of the Napa community,” say Brent Brandol, President of the Board of Directors of the Napa Open Space District. “We are thrilled to partner with them in supporting the preservation and public use and enjoyment of the college’s magnificent forested lands.”
“A core principle of the Open Space District since its establishment in 2006 has been to maximize the public benefits provided by open space lands owned by other agencies and organizations” explains John Woodbury, General Manager of the Napa Open Space District.
In recent years the District has formed many partnerships with:
- The City of Napa to allow public access to the watershed lands on the north side of Lake Hennessey
- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow the public to experience the Napa River Ecological Reserve on the Yountville Cross Road
- The California Department of Parks and Recreation to keep Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park from closure
- The Bureau of Reclamation to construct and operate ecoCamp Berryessa
- The City of American Canyon to construct and operate 5 miles of trail along the Napa River
- The County of Napa to improve and maintain the Oat Hill Mine Trail
This license with PUC continues the District’s tradition of coordination and cooperation with other agencies, institutions and organizations.
The Bay Area Ridge Trail
About three miles of the PUC trail network will also be dedicated as part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a planned 550-mile hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trail taking shape from Calistoga to Gilroy, inspiring both close-to-home and epic adventures. The Ridge Trail route will run generally north to south through PUC land, anchored by panoramic views at Inspiration Point, near the middle of the forest.
The future trail connection between PUC and the District’s Moore Creek Park will also be part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, since Moore Creek Park hosts an existing beautiful 5-mile section of the Ridge Trail.
“Congratulations and thanks to Pacific Union College and to Napa OSD for the leadership and effort to make this possible,” says Janet McBride, Executive Director of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. “The Ridge Trail Council is looking forward to celebrating these spectacular new trails, and bringing the Ridge Trail tally to 378 miles completed so far.”