Roy Tennant, Overlook Steward, was awarded a gift for the enormous amount of hours he has spent,combatting invasive species including poison oak, and caring for the Trail. 
Celebrating Joanna
A huge thank you goes to our current chairperson, Joanna Kemper, who is stepping down after 8 years of leadership of the Stewards.
After the Stewards meeting on Tuesday we celebrated Joanna’s dedication to our beloved trail with a party.
Ezrah Chaaban, Chief of Staff to State Senator Bill Dodd presented Joanna a Senate Resolution Certificate thanking Joanna for her service on behalf of Senator Dodd.
We toasted her with bubbly and also presented her with a Hiker’s Notebook with photos and memories of her tireless leadership.
Thanks Joanna, and see you on the trail.
A Current Trail Map
As readers of this web site know, although we have re-opened the upper part of the Sonoma Overlook Trail to hikers, the lower, re-routed part remains closed until sometime in Spring so the rains (which we hope we get) can help pack the new trail. Therefore, for quite some time hikers will need to enter the Overlook system either by entering from the Montini Preserve (across Norrbom Road on Rattlesnake Cutoff trail), or hike up through the cemetery using the roads marked in purple (see map) and enter from the Toyon Trailhead.
Alternatively, you can drive up to the Toyon trailhead, where a limited number of parking spaces are available. If you do that, please be aware that the cemetery gate is locked around 4:00 pm, so be sure to be out of the cemetery by then.
Thank you for your bearing with us as we get the Sonoma Overlook Trail back into great hiking shape.
Come enjoy the Mountain Cemetery on your way to the Overlook Trail
Come hike the newly re-opened upper part of the Overlook Trail. Enter through the Mountain Cemetery entrance and follow the signs (they say Toyon Trail) in the cemetery to the Overlook entrance. The trail from this entrance leads to the Upper Meadow Loop and the fantastic views of Sonoma and San Francisco. You can also access the Montini Open Space Preserve through this entrance.
The sign at this entrance says trail is closed ahead, this refers to the new re-routed trail that starts at the kiosk. There are new stone steps leading up to the newly re-routed trail, but this entrance by the kiosk and trail isn’t open yet. This portion of the trail will open in the Spring, after the rainy season has given it a chance to “cure”.
Photo taken in the cemetery by Sue Loesch this morning
The Overlook Trail is open!
After months of hard work and literally years of planning the trail rehab work is nearly completed. There’s plenty of hiking available, and plenty of views.
To hike the Overlook trail, start your hike from the Mountain Cemetery entrance—follow the signs if you aren’t familiar with how to enter it through the cemetery. The Upper Meadow Loop that leads to the scenic overlook is accessible from the Toyon Trail entrance in the Cemetery and through the Montini Open Space Preserve.
As you approach the kiosk at the trailhead you’ll see beautiful stone steps leading up to the newly re-routed trail. This portion of the trail will open in the Spring, after the rainy season has given it a chance to “cure”.
The Overlook Stewards, City officials and many trail fans hiked the trail to “welcome it back” this weekend. Come join us every Wednesday morning at 8:30 for a hike to the overlook and back. Meet 8:30 at the trailhead kiosk for an energetic one hour hike. . . and meet some new hiking friends.
Fred Allebach explaining how steps were built.
Susan Peterson talking about trail improvements. Hikers listen to Karen Collins tell trail tales.
Sonoma Overlook Trail • Montini Open Space Preserve 