Wilderness gets a little tame

Dowdy Ranch opens up south side of Henry Coe Park
The largest state park in Northern California, Henry W. Coe
State Park, broadened its access to the public by opening a brand
new visitor’s center at the Dowdy Ranch May 19. The 87,000-acre
park, which boasts rugged terrain and a variety of unique wild
life, kicked off its celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony and
a chance for the community to enjoy food and refreshments
together.
 
Dowdy Ranch opens up south side of Henry Coe Park

The largest state park in Northern California, Henry W. Coe State Park, broadened its access to the public by opening a brand new visitor’s center at the Dowdy Ranch May 19. The 87,000-acre park, which boasts rugged terrain and a variety of unique wild life, kicked off its celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a chance for the community to enjoy food and refreshments together.

In addition, equestrians, bicyclists and hikers were free to tackle the pristine wilderness that spread out before them.

Among the more than one hundred attendees at the event were several members of the Dowdy family. Allie Philips, a great -great granddaughter of Orin Dowdy performed the ribbon cutting while Sharon Dowdy, came all the way from Reno, Nev. to see the ranch. Julie Dowdy-Philips also came to the park for her first visit ever. 

“My family were real outdoor people and I think that they would be very pleased and honored that the park is doing something that everybody can enjoy,” she said.

The grand opening of Dowdy Ranch was the culmination of more than 20 years of planning and two years of construction. The visitor center and parking area creates an easy way to access the incredible terrain and breathtaking views of the Diablo Mountain Range. However, the park officials are taking it slow.

Dowdy Ranch will initially be open as a Day Use area during weekends and holidays. 

“Now the people who used to have to take a couple of days to back pack out to this area can drive here, stay for the day and go back home,” explained Sheryl Neufield, a State park Ranger.

For hikers such as Jean-Paul Lorrain, who began his trek to the opening ceremony from Pine Ridge Headquarters more than 40 miles away, the access provided by Dowdy Ranch is great news. 

“Now that this place is here, it’s really going to open up a lot more of the park and make it easier for more people to come and visit,” Lorrain said.

While the visitor’s center marks the gateway of a new frontier for the Henry W. Coe State Park, volunteers and rangers still have the task of developing new trails ahead of them. 

Paul Nam, a director of the Responsible Organized Mountain Peddlers, has already begun the arduous process of creating new pathways through the coarse and challenging landscape.

“It’s a precious resource and I want to see that the Park develops trails that will appeal to all users,” Nam said.  “There are some great backpacking opportunities here.  It’s really tremendous.”

Although the future of this almost unchanged landscape is still in the process of being shaped, the opening of the Dowdy Ranch is a rare chance for the public to discover some of the precious natural resources surrounding them. C.L. Price, the Gavilan Sector State Park Superintendent, believes that this opening will be a chance for the public to “discover a window into wilderness.”

As equestrians and cyclists mounted up to take a ride through that window, the smiles and laughter that ignited the air are a good omen that the Dowdy Ranch will be one of San Benito County’s greatest treasures for years to come.