Save Mount Diablo to purchase
majestic North Peak property

Save Mount Diablo (SMD) an option to purchase this 88.5-acre North Peak Ranch from Steve and Brenda Benkly  for $1.1 million. The property rises from Marsh Creek Road just east of Clayton onto the slopes of North Peak, Mount Diablo’s second tallest and more rugged peak. It shares a boundary with Mount Diablo State Park.

The heavily wooded and scenic North Peak Ranch is one of the most beautiful parcels in the Mount Diablo foothills. With a small canyon that climbs up onto the slopes of rocky North Peak, and divides around several knolls, it is a hikers paradise. Two tributary creeks drop down the steep slopes over moss-covered rocky cataracts and small grottos then meet Mount Diablo Creek just off-site. Further downstream, Mount Diablo Creek crosses the northwest corner of the parcel.

Now, thanks to an agreement between Save Mount Diablo and owners Steve and Brenda Benkly, the parcel will be preserved for generations to come.

SMD last week signed a 10-year option agreement to purchase 88.5-acre North Peak Ranch for approximately $1.1 million. The property rises from Marsh Creek Road just east of Clayton onto the slopes of North Peak, Mount Diablo’s second tallest and more rugged peak. It shares a boundary with Mount Diablo State Park.

“The property is really special,” said Benkly. “We have Muir Woods in our back yard. One area has big green ferns, vivid green moss, and during the winter months a waterfall just a few hundred yards behind the house. Every day we wake up, look out our back window at North Peak and just count our blessings.”

Fundraising needed

The couple appreciated their property so much that they wanted to make sure others could, too. “We are so appreciative of Steve and Brenda Benkly,” said Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo. “They want to protect their beautiful property on North Peak, and are giving us the time to raise funds to do so.”

The timing of the purchase is critical, according to Scott Hein, SMD Board president. “We are still working really hard on securing capital for our Curry Canyon Ranch project, as well as other important initiatives. This way, we can carry out a thoughtful and comprehensive fundraising strategy that ensures that both of these properties are protected in perpetuity.”

SMD was in negotiations to purchase the property in 2000 from a previous owner when the Benklys purchased it instead. SMD and the Benklys got to know each other and kept in touch. The Benklys even began volunteering at SMD events.

North Peak Ranch was on SMD’s original priority acquisition list in 1972, given its location on one of Diablo’s main peaks. It’s highly visible, rising from 650 feet to 1260 feet, and has important resources, including a band of serpentine mineral soils associated with a number of rare plant species. The property could be used in the future for a staging area to access North Peak.

Didn’t want a subdivision

At one time it might have been subdivided into five-acre parcels. The Benklys, however, had no interest in seeing the beautiful parcel developed. “I’m a builder,” Benkly said. “We’ve seen the area get over-developed and we didn’t want to see this beautiful parcel developed into four or five houses.”

The couple approached SMD about purchasing most of the property. A deal was reached to option the property in 10 small, annual, gradually increasing payments that will be applied to the overall purchase price at the end of the ten years.

The Benklys will retain just over six acres acres and continue to live in their small 1,200 square-foot farmhouse, built in 1924. SMD is also acquiring right of first refusal on that smaller parcel where the Benklys will continue to live.

Besides the slopes and canyon, a robust set of fire roads zigzag up-slope through blue oak woodland and past a large developed spring near the southern border and toward the Three Springs area of Mount Diablo State Park.

Ultimately. North Peak Ranch should be part of Mount Diablo State Park. First, however, the State Park system must begin accepting new lands again. Hopefully the issue will be resolved in the near future and within the ten year option period, SMD executives say.

With the Benklys’ permission SMD will soon hold several introductory walks on the property, and one or two per year until the acquisition is complete. However, North Peak Ranch is privately owned until SMD completes the purchase, so it is not open to the public at this time.

For more information on North Peak Ranch and SMD’s fundraising campaign, contact Save Mount Diablo at 925-947-3535, 925-947-0642 (fax) or in person at 1901 Olympic Blvd., Suite 320, Walnut Creek. Or visit www.SaveMountDiablo.org.