To hike the Montini Preserve Trails park at the Police station lot (600 feet south of Sonoma Overlook Trailhead) on First Street West. The entrance to the Montini Preserve is behind the batters box. The trail is a 2 mile loop or more–map at entrance
Sonoma Overlook Trailhead–signs posted give directions to the Montini Preserve Trails or the Mountain Cemetery walking paths. (adjacent to Trailhead)
We are underway with the Overlook Improvement Project. The kick off celebration this afternoon was festive and informative. Joanna Kemper, our host, was the emcee –she could be seen by all–standing on a very large rock. She also provided us with cookies and lemonade (welcome on a sunny day). John Donnelly gave a brief history of the trail, and Mayor Madolyn Agrimontij, along with Cathy Capriola, Colleen Ferguson and the Sonoma Public Works team shared their excitement about getting this project underway.
The Stars of the show was the team from American Conservation Experience that will be doing the work on the trail the next three months. They are young people from across the country (even Guam) that are eager to get started. We welcome them to our town and to our beloved trail.
Finally!! Shovel Ready!!!
The American Conservation Experience (ACT) Team
Confident hikers/walkers looking for an energetic hike to start their day need look no further! Join us for a Free Community Hike every Wednesday 8:30-9:30. During the Overlook Trail closure, we will hike the Montini Open Space Preserve.
Wednesday morning hikers on the Montini Open Space Preserve.
Meet in the police station parking lot located at 175 1st StreetEast at 8:30am. No RSVP needed
Thanks to all of you hikers who came to the Sonoma Raceway to hike. . . .and support the Overlook Trail. We had 130 hikers which we split into two groups—one group did 6 miles and the other group did 3 miles. We all enjoyed the gorgeous views and heard about the conservation measures that the Raceway does to preserve the beautiful rolling hills. It was fun to see the woolly weeders and their spring lambs—they do a good job of keeping the weeds down.
Woolly weeders on the job
A huge thank you to Steve Page, Jerry Wheeler and Chelsea Lazzari and their Raceway team for the superb job of hosting, promoting, and keeping us all on track over hill and dale. . . .and for providing a delicious lunch–thanks to Kim Conte at Levy Restaurant. And thanks to Hope Nissan for organizing volunteers and making it all work so well.
Mary Nesbitt was honored today as a “Star Volunteer” at the Sonoma Valley Fund’s Annual Celebration of Volunteers. Mary was vital for the Trail Rehabilitation Project (starting summer 2018), securing $80,000 in project funding by identifying appropriate sources and writing grant proposals. She also has designed communications to inform the public, and has been a key player in meetings with the City of Sonoma and interested parties. She is part of the Sonoma Overlook Stewards, an all–volunteer organization that is dedicated to maintaining the Overlook Trail and providing educational opportunities for children and adults in Sonoma Valley.
Thank you Mary, for all you do for our beloved trail.
Jeni NIchols, Mary Nesbitt, and Joanna Kemper
Sonoma Overlook Trail • Montini Open Space Preserve 