What Should We Name the Trails?
7/22/2026
Ribbon being cut for trail #2 at Gateway Loop of trails at Lookout Peak
Well, now that you’ve had a little time to use the trails,… what do you want to name them? We have three trails to name and the sky is the limit as to what we can name them. Trails are often named with reference to the local ecology or geography, or sometimes they are named for a prominent community member. Often times they are named to call out a particular feature or something of note along the trail like an old car or a waterfall. On the other hand, sometimes trails are given whimsical names using puns or a play on words. Use your imagination!
Let us know your suggestions. We’re going to be taking and noting down your suggestions until September 4th, then we’ll convene a panel of UVTG Board Members and City of Ukiah staff to select a few options (probably top three) and then take a vote. Voting will be by UVTG members. Are you a member? Well if you donated time or money in the last year, you’re a member. Not sure? Just send a small donation and then you can be sure. You can join on our website at https://mendotrails.org/
A quick reminder: Trail #1 is the trail on the south facing slope with views of the valley. Trail #2 is the trail with berms on the corners for mountain bikes, and trail #3 is the connector between the two.
Provide your trail name suggestions here!
Gateway Trail Loop Now Open!
6/27/2026
We had a great opening day event on June 27th! Over two-hundred hikers and bikers hit the trail and we had a ribbon cutting ceremony for all who wanted to participate. There are still some things we want to improve and we still need to name the trails, but we won’t do any more trail work this summer. When it cools off in the winter and the rain returns we’ll get back to work.
In the meantime, use the trails and think about what you want the trails to be named. We’ll be taking suggestions for the next few months, then we’ll have a committee of board members and City staff decide on the top three choices for each trail. Then UVTG members will get to vote on the trail names. Become a member today so you get a say in trail naming!
11/15/2025
Trail construction is underway for our Lookout Peak Trails Project. The project will open a new area for passive use public access for hiking, mountain biking, and access to nature. The project has been approved and will allow for up to twenty-two miles of trails. The concept trail alignments were created by Jon Schubbe Consulting, informed by onsite evaluations and scoping, followed by computer assisted layout design. The trails will be accessed from a public street locations off Doolin Canyon Ave.
Concept Trail Plan
The trail system provides a “Stacked Loop” design allowing users a wide variety of options with up to 22 miles of trails. The system lays out approximately three to four miles of trail in the “Gateway” area and an additional fourteen to eighteen miles of trails in the Lookout Peak area. The Gateway area will provide two small loops that are expected to see the most use. A single out and back trail will connect the Gateway area (lower loops) to the upper loops of the Lookout Peak area. The system will inclued mountain bike downhill-only trails. A loop at the top will circumnavigate the upper extent of the property and provide 360-degree views of three different watersheds. Additionally, the Lookout Peak area trails will provide multiple interfaces with existing truck roads providing additional options for users who care to experience the roads.
Redwood Avenue Ridge Rd
The trails will be built in accordance with the Ukiah Valley Trail Group Design and Maintenance Standards. Trail grades will vary according to topography with average grades of 7 to 8 percent, for the majority of the trails, with some shorter trail sections in the steeper areas reaching approximately 12 percent. However, trail routes will ensure that the average grade for the entirety of the trail does not exceed a 10 percent threshold. The proposed trail will run almost entirely beneath a substantial tree canopy cover of natural woodlands consisting mainly of native tree and understory species.
Our goal is to be ready to open the three to four mile “Gateway” loop in the early summer of 2026.