Fall 2011

Cowell-Purisima Trail Opens

California Coastal Trail sign at Purisima Creek© 2011 Dan Quinn

In 1972, Californians passed Proposition 20 which declared "a hiking, bicycle and equestrian trails system shall be established along or near the coast." Fast forward to 2011, when the California Coastal Trail, a 1,200-mile path from Oregon to Mexico, is half complete.

On July 21, POST and the California Coastal Conservancy celebrated the opening of the newest section of the path, the Cowell-Purisima Trail, which runs for 3.6 miles along coastal bluffs just south of Half Moon Bay. The trail offers spectacular views of the ocean and gently sloping foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visible from the trail are offshore rocks, inaccessible pocket beaches and a seal haul-out area.

"This gorgeous stretch of the Coastal Trail is the result of a long and fruitful partnership between POST and the Coastal Conservancy as well as landowners, farmers and other groups," said POST President Walter T. Moore. "With generous support from our donors and the conservancy, POST has played a key role in making the Cowell-Purisima Trail a reality, from saving land up front and holding back protective conservation easements, to preserving surrounding farmland and now opening up the trail to the public."

bird© 2011 Dan Quinn

The northern end of the trail begins above a small state-managed pocket beach at Cowell Ranch State Beach, originally protected by POST in 1987 through a partnership with the conservancy and California State Parks. The trail continues south across three bridges and past rich, productive farm fields to a bluff-top overlook. POST sold the farmland to the Giustis, a local farming family, at reduced cost while retaining easements that protect wildlife habitat and trail corridors.

Without the vision and persistence of POST and the conservancy, the whole panorama could have become just another set of subdivisions. Instead, in June 2008, with nearly $3 million from the conservancy, POST built the parking lot and new trail. Now, instead of houses, the public can enjoy natural views from the trail and benefit from the continued production of high-quality local food.

POST will oversee the day-to-day management of the trail for the next three years until a public agency partner can be found to take permanent ownership. "This beautiful piece of the coast deserved a great trail, and now it has it," said Sam Schuchat, executive officer of the conservancy. "This was well worth waiting for."

 

Map

What You’ll See

• Spectacular views of the ocean and Santa Cruz Mountains
• Offshore rocks, inaccessible pocket beaches and harbor seals
• Artichokes and Brussels sprouts
• Grazing cattle

Driving Directions
Hours: Northern portion of the trail closed to public weekdays June – September due to agricultural operations; southern end open year-round.
Access: Hikers, cyclists and wheelchairs (with the exception of middle part of trail crossing Purisima Creek). Sorry, no dogs or horses.
Services: Parking and restrooms at both ends of the trail, interpretive signs.

 

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