A New Path Forward Access in Sierra Azul
Published January 11, 2026
At Midpen, our mission can sometimes feel like a delicate high wire balancing act: We work to protect the natural environment and the species which inhabit the land, while simultaneously providing opportunities for ecologically sensitive public access and enjoyment. Sometimes, these goals create a natural tension, particularly when popular recreation areas overlap with sensitive wildlife habitats. Finding that balance is exactly what Midpen staff strive to achieve.
Case in Point: The Beatty property, located on the east side of Lexington Reservoir outside of Los Gatos, offers incredible potential for regional trail connectivity. However, it is also adjacent to a critical migration corridor for California newts. Every year, thousands of these newts are killed by vehicle traffic on Alma Bridge Road as they move to and from their breeding grounds.
In December, Midpen’s board voted to move forward with a project that can address this dichotomy by simultaneously helping to reduce newt mortality along Alma Bridge Road and also building new trails from the Beatty property into the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. This compromise protects the local newt population while fulfilling a long-standing commitment to expanded public access in the area.
Rather than building a new parking area, Midpen has worked with Santa Clara County to utilize their existing Miller Point Parking Area located across the road. Discussions are ongoing on the final details of a shared-use agreement, but by postponing construction of a new parking area we can provide a new trailhead to connect to the Priest Rock Trail and the larger Bay Area Ridge Trail from the reservoir while increasing habitat connectivity for California newts.
The compromise, which was supported by many members of the Newt Patrol community science group and Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers organization, includes:
Seasonal Trail Access: The new multi-use trail connections will initially be open when newts are not migrating and closed during the winter rainy season. This ensures that no additional vehicles are driving along the road during peak newt migration times.
Kickstarting the Newt Passage Project: Midpen has committed $650,000 to help fund a pilot segment of the Alma Bridge Road Newt Passage Project. This contribution will help to design and construct wildlife fencing and a series of underground passages north of the Beatty property, where the highest newt mortality has been documented. Midpen has been partnering with Santa Clara County, who owns and maintains the road and right-of-way, on this project since 2021.
“This compromise proves that the tension between resource protection and public access doesn't have to be a zero-sum game,” explained project manager Mark Brandi. “By gathering input from different user-groups, community scientists and our agency partners, we’ve found a path to deliver a high-quality recreational trail experience while actually accelerating the protection of a native species.”
We look forward to beginning technical studies and design, with the goal of opening these new connections in 2028.