Berryessa Peak Trail

[Vaca Russ]

Last Saturday “Sport” and I took advantage of an opportunity to join a group for a hike in the local hills.

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The group, Tuleyome, was founded in 2002 as a volunteer advocacy-oriented nonprofit organization that is focused on protecting both the wild and agricultural heritages of the Inner Coastal Range and the Western Sacramento Valley for current and future generations.

This group sent out an invitation to the public to join a day hike to Berryessa Peak on the new Berryessa Peak Trail.

While Berryessa Peak is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, for many years the summit had no public access as the surrounding land was on private property. In September 2008 private landowners, John and Judy Ahmann, allowed a public trail easement for access to the summit and the 9,100 acre "landlocked" Berryessa Peak BLM land.

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In recent years, the good people associated with the Yolo Hiker and Tuleyome organizations have built a trail to the summit of Berryessa Peak.

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To reach the summit of Berryessa Peak, you hike approximately 7.25 miles, one way, with 3500-feet of elevation gain. Berryessa Peak at 3,057 feet is the second highest summit in Yolo County.

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It is also the highpoint of Blue Ridge; a small mountain range east of Lake Berryessa that runs in a north-south direction. Berryessa Peak was once thought to be the highest point of Yolo County. That distinction now belongs to Little Blue Peak.

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We were lucky to hike in the company of Tuleyome President, Andrew Fulks, and Senior Policy Director, Bob Schneider. We also hiked with Tuleyome Trail Development Coordinator, “Bam Bam” Barnett, his chief assistant, Mike and other members of the Tuleyome staff.

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This is a great local hike! Be sure to carry plenty of water and avoid trespassing on private property.

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Thanks to Andrew, Bob, Bam Bam, Mike and all of the others who made this trail. Special thanks go out to the generosity of John and Judy Ahmann for providing a public trail easement across their private property!

[Ross939]

Thanks for sharing. Where is the trailhead, in proximity to Lake Berryessa? this is fairly close to my neck if the woods, Sonoma. I will have to check it out dome day.


Vision Classic from Costco

[Vaca Russ]

Ross,

I would drive to Napa from Sonoma. Take HWY 121 to 128. Turn left at the 128/121 intersection, staying on 128. At the Turtle Rock bar, turn right onto Berryessa/Knoxville road. Continue on Berryessa/Knoxville, past the lake, over both the Pope Creek and Putah Creek bridges at the North end of the lake, and up into the mountains beyond. The road will narrow and roughen after you pass Lake Berryessa and you are driving on Knoxville Road. Park on the side of the road at Mile Marker 20.00 on Knoxville Road. The trail begins on the east side of the road.

Have fun!

-Russ