Check out our projects from past years

Join us for a weekend of camping and trailwork in the beautiful redwoods of San Mateo County. Part of this project will be to de-construct a damaged staircase on the Homestead Trail (damaged in the 2020 fires and subsequent winter storms) and build an entirely new set of steps. The other part of the project will be to repair and redefine the Pomponio Canyon, Mt. Ellen Summit and Trillium Nature trails.

V-O-Cal volunteers are, with some others, the magic ingredient that makes it possible each year for the East Bay Hills Trails Benefit to raise sizable funds for both V-O-Cal and the Ridge Trail, and more. Because volunteers like you have helped provide a quality experience for our riders and hikers, we have been able to raise over $440,000 over the past 22 years to support trail building and volunteer trail work programs like V-O-Cal. We are hoping that you will be able to join us for a single shift or more to help make the 2024 East Bay Hills Trails Benefit Ride and Hike the best ever! Please click on the link below to sign up now —and help Morris keep his sanity intact knowing that once again you all will come through! As usual, if you want to sign up for several days, you can camp with us and your meals will be included. Come for than 2 days or more, and you probably will be able to join one of the hikes!

One of John Muir Land Trust’s most significant projects, Fernandez Ranch merges two previously separate parcels into an 1,185 acre preserve of rolling hills, deep canyons, and breathtaking panoramic views of permanently protected open space, fostering the thriving coexistence of people, plants, and animals. Wooded hills grace the property, visible just south of the John Muir Parkway (Highway 4) between Martinez and Hercules, offering a scenic backdrop behind the Franklin Canyon Golf Course. Fernandez Ranch boasts a key segment of Rodeo Creek, flowing perennially, along with key tributaries that maintain water levels for much of the year. JMLT serves as the permanent owner and steward of over one-fifth of the land within the Rodeo Creek watershed, safeguarding a delicate ecosystem that provides habitat for various special-status species, including Cooper’s hawk, northern harrier, California red-legged frog, western pond turtle and the occasional roaming mountain lion. The riparian scrub alongside Rodeo Creek features arroyo willow, thickets of California blackberry, and short-spiked hedge nettle. This vegetation forms a crucial movement corridor for both aquatic and terrestrial species, offering secure cover along its length.

The first V-O-Cal project of 2024 will be at Mt. Madonna County Park near Watsonville. This is a beautiful park in Santa Clara County dominated by redwood forest.

It's time, yet again, to prepare for the 2024 VOCal Season! Woop woop! It takes a fair amount of effort to make sure that all those tools are in good shape to last through the project season, and the annual O'Tool Day is all about sharpening, cleaning, and repairing everything we need for a successful season. Please join us for our 2023 O'Tool Day to enjoy some St Patty's Day goodies while we do all we can to get ready for the upcoming season.

Party With V-O-Cal! Join your V-O-Cal friends for a get together to celebrate getting started with a brand new project season.

After trailwork, relax by the creek, see the largest tree, take an Art Break (details below), take a 20 minute drive to the beach and tidepools, or visit the Pescadero Marsh to see migrating birds and an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem. You won't want to miss it! A full list of suggested activities in the area (including an Apple Fest on Sunday) are below. Note that there is limited cell phone reception in the park but free WiFi at Memorial County Park’s Visitor Center; its a 15 minute walk away.

We are building a new trail segment in the Botanic Garden that will provide new planting opportunities. This trail is in a steep section of the garden and we will build a stone retaining wall to anchor the trail. In addition, we will work on tread, drainage and brush clearing on the nearby Wildcat Gorge Trail.

Volunteer now for 21st Anniversary East Bay Hills Trails Benefit – August 30th September 4th. V-O-Cal volunteers are, along with some others, the magic ingredient that makes it possible each year for the East Bay Hills Trails Benefit to raise sizable funds for V-O-Cal, the Ridge Trail, and more. Because volunteers like you have helped provide a quality experience for our riders and hikers, we have been able to raise over $360,000 over the past 20 years to support trail building and volunteer trail work programs like V-O-Cal.