Pinnacle Gulch Coastal Access Trail Improvements – Background

Anyone who has hiked the short Pinnacle Gulch Trail in Bodega Bay knows two things: the steps leading down to the main trail are uneven, dilapidated, and steep, but the awe-inspiring view of the ocean at the end of the trail makes the journey worthwhile!

Currently, the trail is equipped with 47 steps, many of which are unaccommodatingly high riser heights or broken. Due to the increasing severity of storms such as the bomb cyclone that hit the coast in January 2024, this park infrastructure is continuing to deteriorate, and the upper trail leading to the steps is rutted and experiencing erosion.  

This project covers the top 450 feet of the trail, from the pavement next to the parking area down to where the trail approaches the stream and flattens out. The nonprofit Redwood Trails Alliance will lead the Sonoma County Regional Parks Youth Crew in the installation of about 90 steps at the entrance to the Pinnacle Gulch Access Trail.

The Youth Crew is a remarkable park program that provides paying jobs to young adults aged 18 to 24 who are working to overcome challenges in their lives. Youth Crew members learn valuable work readiness skills, gain work experience, and receive mentoring that prepares them for future careers.

In addition to providing more pleasant initial access to Pinnacle Gulch, the trail improvements will be designed to handle more intense storm events we are experiencing with the changing climate.

Project Funding

A generous grant from the Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fund for Community Benefit Programs of the East Bay Community Foundation will cover the Youth Crew and mentor salaries for this project.

The nonprofit Sonoma County Parks Foundation thanks the generous donors who have contributed to this project. To date we have raised half our goal of $15,000! Donations are welcome at https://www.sonomacountyparksfoundation.org/pinnacle-gulch.html.