A Storied History Mount Umunhum History and Timeline Mount Umunhum How to Get There Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve We invite you to visit Mount Umunhum, as people have done for thousands of years. Learn its rich Mount Umunhum is ONLY accessible via 8,000 BCE–1770s: Native stories steeped in Native American history, gold Hicks Road to Mt. Umunhum Road. Do not A Mountain Made of Stories Americans inhabited the rush-era mining, and the Cold War, and help create take any other route recommended by online region and cared for Los 85 The Natural World Gatos C Mount Umunhum’s next chapter as one of the maps or your GPS device – these directions the land a m San Jose Mount For millions of years, Mount Umunhum has been 9 d Bay Area’s great publicly accessible peaks. This include roads with locked gates. 17 e shaped by close proximity to the San Andreas 1769: First contact between n mountain was sacred to local native people. In Spanish explorers and Avenue Mount Umunhum Summit Parking Area fault system. The unique geology and low-nutrient St. 1850, it was part of California’s first mining claim native tribes El Sereno H Parking is available at the Summit, accessible serpentine soils are home to many rare native Joseph’s ic and was inhabited, explored, and timbered by ks Umunhum from Mt. Umunhum Road. Parking is only plants. The headwaters of several creeks originate R Hill oa settlers. In 1957, the Summit was occupied by the d allowed in designated spaces. on the mountain, and critical reservoirs are tucked Almaden Air Force Station (1957-1980), one of Sierra Azul into its foothills on all sides. Some of the mountain’s Sierra Azul dozens of radar stations operating along the West • Exit Highway 85 at Camden Avenue. most striking features are its exposed Summit and Coast during the Cold War. Midpen purchased the (From Southbound 85 turn left on Camden Mt. Open Space slopes with jutting rock outcrops and scattered 35 Umumhum 36-acre Summit in 1986. In 2009, Midpen received Avenue. From northbound 85 turn left on 1850: Mount Umunhum is clusters of rare plants. Road Preserve $3.2 million in federal funding to clean up the site Camden Avenue.) part of the first legal mining • Travel on Camden Avenue about 1.6 miles. claim filed in California Bear and began an extensive public planning process The First Caretakers to open the Summit. The Summit and Trails officially • Turn right on Hicks Road. Travel on Hicks Creek Long before this region was “Silicon Valley” and “The Redwoods opened to the public in September 2017. Road about 6.3 miles. Valley of Heart’s Delight”, it was home to one of the • Turn right on Mt. Umunhum Road. Travel largest Native American populations on the continent, on Mt. Umunhum Road for 5.3 miles. with 70 flourishing tribal units. For hundreds of 17 • The Preserve parking lot is on the left and generations, indigenous people actively stewarded stairs will lead visitors to the Summit. A the land, using traditional practices such as: 1850s: Hunters, sawyers, Mount Umunhum limited number of accessible parking spaces are located 0.2 miles further up Mt. Umunhum • Planting the seeds of favorite useful plants close and explorers looking for Road within the turnaround area. to settlements for easy harvest mineral resources explore Cover photo Bryana Fleming. Photographers for timeline from the region extensively top to bottom: Ray Cowan, Hooked on Los Gatos–Library & Road safety • Pruning plants to produce better fruits, straighter Museum History Project, Robin Goldthwaite, Ken Hickman, Mt. Umunhum Road is steep, narrow, and twigs, and promote grasses for basket making Midpen staff, Midpen staff, Midpen staff, Midpen staff, Gary Henry, and Karl Gohl. winding with blind curves. Cyclists and • Using fire to prevent shrub encroachment on drivers should use caution and patience grasslands and increase landscape productivity on the mountain and obey posted speed for hunting and plant collection 1853: Mount Umunhum limits. Shift into low gear on the descent to Karl Gohl is officially named by save your brakes. Miners and Settlers Alexander Dallas Bache, The history of Mount Umunhum is directly connected Superintendent of the to the nearby New Almaden Quicksilver mining U.S. Coast Survey and operation, which began in 1845. Five years later, Benjamin Franklin’s it was the site of California’s first legal mining Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District great grandson claim after statehood. It was discovered that the 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 cinnabar pigment used by the Ohlone people Phone: 650-691-1200 • Fax: 650-691-0485 contained mercury, also known as “quicksilver”, E-mail: [email protected] which was essential for processing gold during Website: www.openspace.org California’s Gold Rush. In 1870, “Austrian Gulch”, 1870s-1930s: The southwest situated on the southwest slopes of Mount Umunhum slopes leading to Austrian was settled by German and Austrian refugees of Jack Gescheidt Gulch are settled by German the Franco-Prussian War. Well known for their Help prevent waste by passing this publication on to a and Austrian refugees friend or recycling it when you’re through. Thank you. orchards and vineyards, this rugged community survived off the land for 60 years despite having to PRINTED WITH PRINTED ON 100% POST Views from Mount Umunhum, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve rebuild from fires and floods on multiple occasions. SOY INK CONSUMER WASTE PAPER 9-2017 Regulations Sharing the Public Trails Almaden Air Force Station In the late 1950s, the United States government For visitors’ safety and protection of the preserves • Please be courteous to other trail users. 1957–1980: The Almaden procured Mount Umunhum to build the Almaden Visitors are responsible for knowing and obeying • Always yield to equestrians and Air Force Station, an early warning radar station Air Force Station is in Midpen ordinances. Below is a list of basic regula- allow other trail users to pass. that operated from 1957 to 1980. The station was operation with the mission tions that will help to ensure a safe, enjoyable visit. • When in a group, avoid blocking constructed as part of a network of radar stations of defending California A complete list of all Midpen ordinances is available the trail. used to keep watch over the United States’ airspace skies and shores during at the Midpen office and on the Midpen website. the Cold War • Prevent injury and avoid damage to natural during the Cold War. The radar tower on Mount Hours: Preserves are open from dawn until one resources by only using designated trails. Umunhum was one in a system of 23 similar stations half-hour after sunset. in California, and one of hundreds across the country The Midpeninsula Regional • Bicyclists, please announce your presence when that fed radar signals into the Semi-Automatic Bicyclists: Bicycles are allowed on designated trails. approaching hikers and equestrians from behind. 1986: Midpen purchases Open Space District Ground Environment (SAGE) defense system. 36-acre Summit for Helmets are required at all times. Please observe • Control your speed at all times and obey The Summit has been closed since 1980. Created by voter initiative in 1972, the the 15 mph trail speed limit (5 mph when passing). $261,566 speed limits. In 2009, federal funding allowed Midpen to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Ride on designated trails shown on the Midpen 1989: The 6.9 magnitude deconstruct about 80 Air Force Station buildings. map for bicycle use. • Littering is prohibited in preserves. Visitors Loma Prieta earthquake District has successfully protected more than Nearly all of the 13,680 tons of concrete, asphalt, should carry out any materials brought in. centered at nearby Loma 63,000 acres of open space. Midpen’s Call Box: For emergency use only. wood and other materials were recycled or reused. • Abuses of trail etiquette should be brought to Prieta Mountain damages mission is to acquire and preserve a regional Midpen also removed 3,000 cubic yards of Closures: Trail and road conditions can vary the attention of a Midpen ranger, or call the the radar tower Karl Gohl hazardous materials, including lead paint, greenbelt of open space in perpetuity, protect depending on the season, the impact of storms, Midpen administrative office at 650-691-1200. and restore the natural environment, and construction and maintenance, and other asbestos, and fuel storage containers. Also call this phone number to inquire about 2009: $3.2 million in federal occurrences. Please be aware that closures provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive Mount Umunhum, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve lost and found items. Public Access and Partnerships funding is obtained to clean public enjoyment and education. Currently, may change from day to day without notice up hazardous materials based on changing weather conditions. Midpen intended to open Mount Umunhum for Midpen protects 90 rare native species in Green Tip and remove dilapidated Sudden Oak Death During winter storm season, high waters can public access since acquiring the property in1986. 26 unique preserves with over 220 miles of Save paper! Did you know this map is available The active restoration period began in 2009 and structures from the former Sudden Oak Death is a forest disease that is killing make creek crossings hazardous, so plan your Air Force Station publicly accessible trails. Preserves are open online at www.openspace.org/UMmap and was made possible, in part, by the passage of oaks and infecting other forest plants in California. outing accordingly. For updates visit the Midpen can be downloaded and saved to your mobile Measure AA in 2014. The bond measure provided 2012: Cleanup, remediation, 365 days a year and are free to the public.