November 2001
As I drive home each day, I take notice of Mount Umunhum, the tall mountain peak that seems to watch over our community. Mount Umunhum is the second highest peak in the Santa Cruz mountain range and provides Silicon Valley with a natural border from Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz.
Mount Umunhum, originally named for the Ohlone Indian word for hummingbird, is best identified by the small, tan colored, sugar cubed shaped building that sits as a phantom skyscraper on the mountain`s summit - it is actually an old Air Force radar tower.
Long-time residents remember when this mountain was occupied by more than 120 Air Force employees who lived and worked at the Almaden Air Force Station located at the peak of Mount Umunhum. From 1957 until 1980, Mount Umunhum was also critical to our national defense. It was here that the Air Force constantly monitored the West Coast skyline for foreign fighter planes and kept a vigilant watch over our homeland. Today, the site and its 84 buildings, that once housed our military officers and kept our nation safe, are a crumbling ghost town. Unfortunately, this area rich in unique plant life, animal life, creeks, and streams, coupled with a first-rate view of the ocean is closed to the public due to the high levels of asbestos and lead contamination.
Fortunately, in 1986 this area was saved from development when the Midpenninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) acquired the former Almaden Air Force Station. They have continued to acquire thousands of acres around Mt. Umunhum spanning from Lexington Reservoir to Almaden Quicksilver Park thus creating a greenbelt of open space and restoring the natural environment. Only after a thorough clean-up effort of the summit will the public be allowed to enjoy the natural beauty, ecological diversity, and the spectacular panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay that the mountain affords.
On September 22nd, I had the opportunity to join local, state, and congressional leaders on a tour of Mount Umunhum hosted by the Open Space District. Aside from the deserted 43-acre Air Force Station, the 3,486-foot high peak is an undisturbed wilderness with golden eagles, mountain lions, deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, beavers, steelhead trout, serpentine grass, and rare flowers. It was there that I discovered that this spectacular area with its rich wildlife and natural hiking trails could be used for low intensity public recreation if $2.5-million could be identified for the clean-up effort. This is a good investment and a relatively small amount of money to accomplish the rare opportunity of opening up this hidden treasure of natural history and enhance our local environment.
The MROSD faces many challenges as they refresh and revitalize this natural wonder. For some time, they have been working with community, state, and congressional leaders to obtain federal funding to enhance and transition this abandoned Air Force base into one of the Bay Area`s most treasured natural wonders.
To assist in this effort, On October 23rd, I presented a resolution to my colleagues on the City Council requesting their support of the Open Space District`s efforts to obtain Federal monies for the clean-up of the site.
Mount Umunhum holds memories of our past and a key to our future. At one time, this mountain watched over our nation, defending us from an attack during the Cold War. Today, it quietly presides over Almaden & Blossom Valley waiting for visitors to awaken its spirit and celebrate its natural, silent splendor.
I invite you to join in this effort. If you would like additional information or would like to get involved in this effort, please contact me at 408-277-5251 or via e-mail at pat.dando@ci.sj.ca.us or contact the Midpenninsula Regional Open Space District at 650-691-1200.