Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers will be able to enjoy a
sneak preview of about 15 miles of trails on rugged terrain
recently acquired by the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority in
the coming weeks.
Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers will be able to enjoy a sneak preview of about 15 miles of trails on rugged terrain recently acquired by the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority in the coming weeks.
The authority is opening up two former ranches in South County for two “special access days,” one at each property, in November.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, the 865-acre Blair Ranch just north of Morgan Hill will be open strictly for mountain bikers. A week later, on Nov. 22, hikers and horseback riders will get to explore the 702-acre Doan Ranch on Canada Road east of Gilroy. Opening the ranches with their existing networks of trails is part of an evaluation process the Open Space Authority employs to convert the properties into public parks that will eventually be open on a daily basis, according to OSA public information specialist Lark Burkhart. Currently, the general public can access the trails only on the designated special use days.
“Before we open a land to the public we go through a complex process of planning, public review and mapping the area,” explained Burkhart. “It takes a while to get it ready for general public use.” She said it is unclear when exactly the new properties will be open on a daily basis.
Two previous sneak peeks were offered at the Blair and Doan properties in October. On Oct. 18, about 140 hikers and equestrians took advantage of a limited Blair Ranch opening, and on Oct. 25, about 25 mountain bikers rode the roughly seven miles of trails on the Doan Ranch.
Burkhart said the trails on both properties are existing ranch roads. She said the Doan trail forms a “looping network” that traverses open grasslands, oak woodlands, and riparian habitat. The Blair trail offers “beautiful views” before plunging into the bottom of a shady canyon, said Burkhart.
The OSA purchased the ranches in mid-2007 as part of its mission to preserve undeveloped land in its natural state. The Blair Ranch cost $8.65 million, and the Doan Ranch cost about $5.8 million.
Board member Alex Kennett, who represents the district which includes Morgan Hill and the two properties, said the Blair and Doan ranches, with their location near existing open space and their vast size, were logical choices for preservation.
The Blair Ranch is adjacent to the Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve. To the south, Doan Ranch is a few parcels away from OSA property on the other side of Coyote Lake.
Burkhart added that when it comes to offering recreational use on preserved properties, “We are very committed to creating trails and user facilities that respect the land and have zero impact on habitat.”
Users who participated in October’s limited access days at Blair and Doan ranches said the terrain is similar to that of nearby Henry W. Coe State Park – steep and remote.
Chere Bargar, trails development chair of the San Martin Horsemen’s Association, said she and several members of the equestrian club visited the Blair Ranch opening in October.
“It’s really pretty country, and it has great views,” said Bargar. “I hike too, so it’s good that these trails are multi-use.”
Josh Moore, president of Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers, said a number of people from the group attended the Doan Ranch mountain bike preview last month.
“We really appreciate the Open Space Authority’s forward looking view of making all trails multi-use,” said Moore. “(These ranches are) a good acquisition, and it’s hard not to be in favor of more open space.”
Both the SMHA and ROMP are actively involved in the promotion of new trial openings, and doing volunteer maintenance work on existing trails.
For more information on the upcoming limited-time-only ranch openings, visit the OSA’s Web site, www.openspaceauthority.org, or call the main office at (408) 224-7476.
