Pinnacle Gulch Coastal Access Trail Improvement Project

This project covers the top 450 ft. of the trail, from the pavement next to the parking area down to where the trail approaches the stream and flattens out. Redwood Trails Alliance mentored the Sonoma County Regional Parks Youth Crew in the installation of 88 steps at the entrance to the Pinnacle Gulch Access Trail. The work included  24 new terraced steps from the pavement down 150 ft. to the end of the tree canopy, to replace that rutted trail section and provide a safer and less erosive path. 

In the next lower section of the trail, 44 eroded and broken steps were replaced with 64 new steps, reducing damage to the landscape and provide safer passage for visitors. In addition to providing more pleasant initial access to Pinnacle Gulch, the trail improvements are designed to handle the more intense storm events we are experiencing with the changing climate.

The steps were made of wood planks milled by Regional Parks staff from redwood trees that fell in Sonoma County parks. Parks staff used a portable mill purchased by the nonprofit Sonoma County Parks Foundation to mill the wood for this project.