The Benefits of a Full Montini

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Filed under Hiking

The Sonoma Overlook Trail is of course beloved by hikers and runners alike, with great trails and scenic vistas. But when the adjacent Montini Preserve opened across Norrbom Road, more miles of trails were added that were contiguous with the SOT, thereby providing even better hiking and running opportunities.

Prime among these opportunities, as hikers and runners will attest, is a set of linked trails that traverse both properties that I’ve started calling “The Full Montini.” To do the Full Montini you start at the 4th St. West and Haraszthy trailhead (see map). From there you start up the Holstein Hill trail to Spotted Fawn, then on to Rattlesnake Cutoff where you cross Norrbom Road to the Overlook property, continuing on the Overlook up to the Upper Meadow Loop, and then return the same way. This is a 4.4 mile hike with approximately 500 feet of cumulative elevation gain.

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Then and Now

Posted
Filed under Nature
THEN

20 years ago the Overlook Trail Stewards launched the trail. As you can see they are resting after some pretty hard work! Through the years the stewards have been tirelessly making the Overlook Trail enjoyable to hike by maintaining it, providing signage and raising money for essential trail projects. Continue reading →

We Won the Battle and Lost the War

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Filed under Invasive Species, Italian Thistle, Plant Life, Stewardship, Summer, Yellow Star Thistle

IMG_4549I’ve spent several days scanning the Overlook Trail and Montini Preserve properties for the invasive Yellow starthistle (YST). Although it’s still early in its season, it’s clear that it has essentially been eradicated from these two properties. I will still be looking for it this season and next, but I’ve pulled so little so far it seems nearly pointless. After over a decade of fighting this scourge, I expected to be able to celebrate this major accomplishment.

But I can’t. 

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Evening on Montini

America’s Trails At Risk

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Filed under Acts of Service, Stewardship

America needs more volunteers; not just our trail systems are at risk.  Volunteerism is declining as Americans spend more time at home and less time engaging with their communities.  If only they knew: acts of service reduce stress and promote positive, relaxed feelings by releasing glorious waves of dopamine.  Less stress = less stroke, heart disease, depression, anxiety and general illness.