Hood Mountain trail repair campaign grows

Hood Mountain suffered greatly from two recent firestorms - in 2017 by the Tubbs fire and again in 2020 from the Glass fire. Yet the Sonoma County Regional Park carries on with its mission to share its natural and human history with residents – despite the ravages of nature.

In the wake of the 2020 Glass fire, which swept over nearly the entire 2,000-acre park, a fundraising campaign was started by the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation. While nature will take care of the recovery of vegetation, the foundation hopes to help provide directional signs, trail markers, foot bridges and retaining walls to restore human use of the park.

The campaign was kicked off by a Feb. 1 $10,000 challenge grant from Kenwood Winery, which has already multiplied by five – over 250 individual donors have contributed nearly $50,000 through the campaign.

“We are incredibly pleased with the community response to the challenge grant,” said Parks Foundation Executive Director Melissa Kelley, thanking Kenwood Winery for “leading the charge” with its original gift. “This response clearly demonstrates the care and determination of residents to restore Hood Mountain.”

Signage will receive particular attention, with Regional Parks planning new engraved metal signs that are designed to withstand high heat. Easily visible signage is critical for emergency crews to have directional information, as well as for park visitors, according to a press release from the foundation.

As they replace wood retaining walls, park planners will test alternative construction options including using stone, boards that are treated with fire retardant and then baked, and fire-retardant paint.

The lengthy task of trail repair has already begun – clearing fallen rocks, trees, vegetation and drainage channels. Crews are also currently stabilizing burned tree root cavities (“ash pots”) along trails to control erosion. After this initial cleanup, teams will re-grade the trails for public use.

The Hood Mountain Fire Recovery effort is a campaign of the Bill and Dave Legacy Fund, which raises funds to benefit Hood Mountain Regional Park, as well as Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, in honor of Bill Myers and Dave Chalk, leaders of popular hikes in Sonoma County for 20 years.

The fundraising campaign is ongoing. To learn more, contact Melissa Kelley, Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, melissa.kelley@sonoma-county.org, or visit sonomacountyparksfoundation.org/hood-mountain.html.