Ireland Ranch Program

Tuleyome is developing a management plan for the recently purchased Ireland Ranch, including docent-led hikes of the ranch, access to the Berryessa Peak Wilderness Area for scientific research, as well as recreational, agricultural and cultural studies.

Notes on First Visit to Berryessa Peak Public Lands via Tuleyome's Ireland Ranch

Ten years ago, I first looked at a map of the Berryessa Peak public lands in western Yolo County, and on that day I vowed that one day the public would have a means to visit our lands. The story of my attempts to find ways to access the public lands could fill a book, and would feature as many twists, heros, opponents, and political intrigue as a John Grisham novel.

Then Tuleyome was formed, and three years later, we’d be walking, legally, across the Ireland Ranch property line and onto the Berryessa Peak public lands. It was a trilling moment, but one that would be second to the moment I stepped onto the ridgeline proper. As I climbed up the rock faces of Rocky Ridge and set my hand on the final hold, I eagerly moved to bring my head above the top of the ridge.

Spread out in front of me was an endless vista. Lake Berryessa was in the distance, as were views of Mount St. Helena, Snow Mountain, Mt. Konocti, Mount Tamalpias, Mount Vaca, Mount Diablo, Cedar Roughs, and, of course, Berryessa Peak.

As our docent program gets underway, we will be able to share such vistas with members of the public, as we have done in a limited capacity for our donors this last season. Thanks to the vision of our members and funders, the dream of visiting our western public lands has become a reality.

-- Andrew Fulks, Tuleyome Secretary