Trail Center Workday - Montara Mountain

Montara Mountain

Montara mountain (also called McNee Ranch) is part of Montara State Beach. The mountain is a northern spur of the Santa Cruz Mountains and features the only undisturbed Coastal Mountain Habitat found over 100 miles of coastline. Its highest point rises to 1,898 feet above sea level. An unpaved fire road, the North Peak Access Road, accessible from the Pedro Mountain Road, provides access to the summit by hikers. On rare occasions light snow has dusted the summit. On clear days the summit provides spectacular views of much of the San Francisco Bay Area.

McNee Ranch State Park shares a boundary with San Pedro Valley County Park. The Montara Mountain Trail (4.3 miles one way) begins on the north flank of Montara Mountain in San Pedro Valley County Park and ends on the south flank at Montara State Beach.

Birds and animals are abundant at McNee Ranch. If observant, you will notice tracks of Coyotes, Fox, Bobcats, Deer, Raccoons, Squirrels, Brush Rabbits, and other small mammals. Mountain Lions live in the area, but are rarely sighted. McNee Ranch is home to California Quail, Ravens, Flickers, Hummingbirds, Wrentits, and other species. During the fall, you will notice a remarkable increase in the number of hawks as they migrate south along the Pacific flyway.

For this project the Trail Center will be working with two agencies: California State Parks on the west face of Montara Mountain, and San Mateo County Parks, on the northern and eastern face of Montara Mountain.

Location: Montara Mountain, McNee Ranch State Park, San Mateo, California - Montara MountainTrail

Directions: On the San Francisco Peninsula in San Mateo County, approx. 20 miles south of San Francisco.

Agency: California State Parks - Chris Pereira, Supervising Ranger

Supervisor: Dave Croker

Project Lead: Dave Croker

Additional Information: Participants should bring 2 quarts/liters of water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

Saturday, September 13, 2014 - Montara Mountain Trail: Activities: This will be a continuation of the project work started in August. Probably one of the last opportunities to work on Montara Mountain for a while. Don't miss it.
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