A Walkabout on the Coast, Part 3

April 5, 2010 at 2:13 pm · Filed under Agriculture, Coast, Land Protection and tagged: California Coastal Conservancy, Coastal Trail, Cowell Ranch Beach, John Giusti, Pillar Point, Purisima, Tim Duff

Part 3 – Cowell-Purisima

There is a feat of engineering and grace in the making at Cowell-Purisima, south on Highway 1 from Wavecrest. Tim Duff, project manager with the California Coastal Conservancy gives me a tour of the coastal-trail-in-progress. It’s clear that Tim is proud of the work: “I know I’m fortunate to call this my office, and I’m excited to be one of the first people to walk down the completed trail,” says Tim.

Cowell-Purisima Trail Construction (c) Chris Detwiller

Riding across the newly packed trail, the contrast between the hefty machinery used to create this 3-mile trail and the peaceful lushness of farmer John Giusti’s artichoke fields is striking.

Part way along the new trail segment, I find myself looking back at the lookout above Cowell Ranch Beach, the telescope glinting in the sunlight, Pillar Point still visible in the distance. At that moment, the importance of this project becomes clear. What was once an out-and-back trail will now continue curving gracefully along the coast, and I can easily picture the future trails that will rise up to meet it.

Cowell Ranch Beach (c) Robert Buelteman

This project was put on hold by the state bond freeze, but is back on track now that the freeze has been lifted. We will let you know as soon as it is open to the public. In the meantime, you can visit Cowell Ranch Beach on Saturday and Sunday, from 8AM to sunset. Beginning on May 1, Cowell Ranch Beach will be open 7 days a week.

If you missed them, here are Part 1 and Part 2 in the series. Check back for the final part, a stroll down Mel’s Lane.

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