'Sunny Jim', former owner of this area, was an early 20th century politician. He made (and lost) a fortune in the shipping business, and turned to politics in the 1911 mayoral election of San Francisco, defeating incumbent P. H. McCarthy. Lest we think that electoral incivility is a modern plague, his victory featured fistfights, police riots and egg-throwing.
Rolph took "There Are Smiles That Make You Happy" as his political theme song, giving rise to his nickname. But he was also known for letting the 'good times' roll in San Francisco: He helped organize a world's fair in the current Marina District. In spite of election promises, he turned a blind eye to the goings-on in the 'Barbary Coast' red light district. In fact, Rolph reputedly owned one of the town brothels. When Prohibition came in, Rolph and his police force looked the other from speakeasies and bootleggers - in San Francisco, they were both abundant and safe. In spite of these peccadilloes, or perhaps because of them, Sunny Jim was repeatedly reelected, holding the office of mayor until his installation as governor of California after winning election in November, 1930. HIs tenure there was no triumph: The Depression had begun, and the California economy and state budget plummeted. He also took some of the blame for the lynching of the killers of Brooke Hart in 1933. Rolph died in office of a heart attack, in June 1934.
Rolph's properties included a rural retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its headquarters were at the current Pony Tracks Ranch off Alpine Road, but it extended up the ridge, including part of the area that is now Skyline Ridge Preserve. After finding the cache, you can continue up the hill to the "Ranch" waypoint, to find some of Rolph's old ranch and farm implements and outbuildings preserved as part of the MROSD service area.
The cache is an ammo can. Note the terrain rating: there is an easy approach along the Ipiwa Trail; look for it rather than bushwhacking.
For more about the life and times of Sunny Jim, check https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Rolph.
About this Preserve
2,143 Acres | 10.9 Miles of Trails
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve offers visitors remarkable ridge vistas and trails through expansive meadows, oak woodland, and chaparral communities. Two trails are accessible to wheelchairs and baby strollers: a half-mile encircling Alpine Pond and a 1-mile trail along the shores of Horseshoe Lake; both areas offer picnic tables for your use. The David C. Daniels Nature Center, located at the edge of Alpine Pond, is open to the public on weekends, April through mid-November. Visit the preserve page for detailed information about preserve uses, accessibility, and amenities.
Hours
Sunrise to one-half hour after sunset