Cloverdale Ranch Interim Public Access

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) proposes to allow limited interim access for hiking on existing ranch roads in two locations (“Butano Farms” and High Hill”) in the northern area of Cloverdale Ranch Open Space Preserve (Preserve). Minimal site improvements are proposed to allow permit parking and enhancements to existing ranching infrastructure to support the District’s conservation grazing program. Butano Farms: Permit access from the Butano Farms location would allow members of the public to hike an approximately 3-mile loop on existing ranch roads. Parking for up to 10 vehicles in the Butano Farms location would be located within an existing disturbed area that is an approximately 6,300 square feet (sf.) corral located behind a District gate and fencing on the south side of Pescadero Creek Road, approximately 900 ft. west of Cloverdale Road. The proposed parking area would not impair the functionality of the corral, and the overall corral area would be minimally expanded for improved circulation. To minimize cattle and vehicle conflicts, the District would replace and reconfigure the existing corral fencing to allow parking within an approximately 4,200 sf. area, with the remaining space (2,100 sf.) in the corral open for cattle on a day-to-day basis. One (1) staff parking space would also be provided outside of the corral behind the District gate. Natural pervious surfacing, such as gravel, would be used as the parking surface material to allow for all-season access and prevent sediment tracking onto Pescadero Creek Road. Implementation of the proposed parking improvements at Butano Farms may require minor grading, totaling approximately 60 cubic yards of earthwork. Improvements for cattle operations would include relocation of an existing water trough to an improved location within the corral and reconfiguration of the corral to improve cattle loading and unloading operations. The entire corral would still be available for cattle operations when needed by the grazing tenant, and on those days, Midpen would suspend issuance of permits for parking and restrict public access. Additionally, the south end of the corral is proposed to be expanded by approximately 550 sf. to increase the space for cattle on a day-to-day basis to approximately 2,650 sf.; bringing the total size of the corral to approximately 6,850 square feet. High Hill Out & Back: Interim permit parking at the High Hill area for up to 10 vehicles would be located along the existing ranch road immediately inside the Preserve entrance gate on the east side of Bean Hollow Road, approximately 1-mile south of Pescadero Creek Road. The proposed parking area would be approximately 6,590 square feet. Proposed fencing improvements would separate cattle from vehicles and facilitate grazing tenant access to an existing corral adjacent to the interim parking area. To allow for all-season access and prevent sediment tracking onto Bean Hollow Road, natural pervious surface, such as gravel, would be used as the parking surface material. Implementation of the proposed parking improvements at High Hill may require minor grading, totaling approximately 74 cubic yards of earthwork. From the proposed parking area, the public could reach the High Hill scenic vista point via a 1.25-mile hike along an existing ranch road, creating a 2.5-mile round trip hike. No impervious surfaces are proposed at either the Butano Farms or High Hill parking area. Informational and regulatory signage would be installed at both locations. Trail use would be limited to on-trail hiking on designated existing ranch roads, and parking areas and trail routes would be patrolled by District Rangers. Permittees would be required to stay on the designated trails.