Hike and camp on Sonoma Mountain

The long-term conservation effort that has preserved over 5,500 acres around Sonoma Mountain will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 1, with a trek across Sonoma Mountain. Both a one-day hike and an optional camping experience are available.

Participants can take the shuttle-supported one-way day hike across the Bay Area Ridge Trail connecting the new North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa to Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. More ambitious ramblers can take advantage of a one-time opportunity to set up camp at North Sonoma Mountain for dinner, evening entertainment, a night hike and Wilderness Survival class opportunity, and stories around the camp chair circle – and breakfast the next morning.

All participants will meet in the Oak Grove picnic area at Jack London State Historic Park, where they can create a bag lunch from fixings provided by the Glen Ellen Village Market before catching a shuttle at either 8:30 or 9:30 a.m. to the Jacob’s Ranch trailhead at North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park. The nine-mile hike traverses uneven, rocky trails and may not be suitable for everyone (minimum age 15). Hard rain will cancel.

The moderately strenuous hike gains nearly 2,000 feet and offers views of Sonoma Valley and the surrounding peaks, including nearby Taylor Mountain, the Mayacamas to the east, and even the Coastal mountains in the west. A spot for a trailside lunch will be discovered en route.

At the conclusion of the five- or six-hour hike, refreshments will be available at Jack London’s Beauty Ranch. Those who sign up for the overnight can then drive back to North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park to set up camp and enjoy dinner, with evening entertainment, a night hike and a Wilderness Survival class opportunity, and stories around the camp chair circle. Dinner and breakfast on Sunday morning will be provided.

Cost for the shuttled day-hike only is $20 per person; the camping overnight is $50 and includes the shuttled hike. State park vehicle parking is included as well.

Reservations can be made online: http://bit.ly/2cmnax7. A detailed description is available online at jacklondonpark.com.