Popular Trails Now Reopened at Mitteldorf Preserve

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Late summer and early fall is prime hiking season, and there are few places along the Central Coast as beautiful as Mitteldorf Preserve, where the Land Trust’s dedicated stewardship team has been working hard to clean up the trails for improved safety and enjoyment. A significant number of dead tanbark oak trees were either threatening to fall or had fallen and were blocking trails, according to Todd Farrington, Community Affairs Manager.

“It’s a story of blood, sweat and tears,” Farrington says. “The stewardship team expended a tremendous amount of effort to open up these trails. They did it out of their passion for the place and with a sense of celebration, pride and accomplishment. Thanks to the strength and perseverance of a small team with limited resources, the majority of Mitteldorf’s trails are now open.”

Trails that are now open include Headwaters Road, Williams Creek Trail, Nature Loop, Ladder Trail, Landing Trail, and Echo Ridge. Mitteldorf Preserve is open 7 days a week, dawn to dusk. A new feature for members is that vehicular access to the Preserve, via Williams Canyon Road, is now available two days a week, on Saturdays and Mondays. Reservations are required, and only 4-wheel drive vehicles will be permitted.

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According to Bryce Hall, Field Assistant and part of the Land Trust’s stewardship team, the project of making all the trails safe for users was slow going. “With every storm last winter and spring, the ground would grow saturated and another tree would fall,” he says. “Sometimes we would think we were done and then another tree would come down. It was back to square one.” Six young men from the Rancho Cielo Wildland Fire Crew were also on hand to help with the wood chipping.

“It was a huge effort, and continued vigilance is needed,” Hall says, “but we are proud with how it looks. We think members of the Land Trust will be pleased.”

Farrington notes that wildflower aficionados can look forward to seeing a variety of species, including Harlequin lupines, Golden eardrops and Rein orchids. Leopard lilies have recently been seen by the stone bridge next to the Lodge. The historic Madrone grove is another highlight. “It’s like you’re on another planet,” Farrington says. “You expect unicorns to appear from behind a tree.”

To make a reservation to visit Mitteldorf Preserve, please call Amber Sanchez Leon at 625-5523, ext. 103.

You can help support stewardship activities at Mitteldorf Preserve.