Cross Marin, Jewell Trails to Close for Repairs

Marin County, CA — Two Marin trails, the Cross Marin Trail and the Jewell Trail, will be closed beginning in early August in order for Marin Municipal Water District to replace a failing culvert that is affecting fish passage in the area, officials announced in a news release.

The portion of the Cross Marin Trail through National Park Service lands, from the northern border of Samuel P. Taylor State Park to Olema Hill, will be closed through October, when the project is expected to be completed. Jewell Trail will also be closed for the duration of construction. Both trails will reopen once they are again safe for use by hikers, equestrians and cyclists.

The failing corrugated metal pipe culvert underneath the Cross Marin Trail at Jewell Creek is in disrepair and has a decayed bottom affecting fish passage, according to the news release.

MMWD’s Nicasio water transmission line, located above the failing culvert, is also at risk and could be damaged if the culvert fails, officials say.

In place of the existing culvert, MMWD will install an open-bottom arch culvert, improving fish passage in Jewell Creek. The project will also restore the Cross Marin Trail and stabilize the Nicasio transmission line in the project vicinity.

The project aligns with MMWD’s five-year strategic plan to improve water supply resiliency and maintain facilities and equipment sufficiently.

The Cross Marin Trail meanders along the old North Coast Pacific Railroad grade, which once ran between Larkspur to Cazadero. The trail is paved for a portion and runs through Samuel P. Taylor State Park on California State Park lands where users can stroll or bike along majestic redwood trees adjacent to Lagunitas Creek, home to endangered coho salmon and steelhead.

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