MTB Girls Magazine caught up with Tom Boss, Director of Redwood Trails Alliance, to talk about their latest project—Pay the Piper, a new multi-use trail set to start at Moore Creek Park in Napa County, California.
A Trail Born from Passion
In 2025 at Moore Creek Park in Napa County, California. With its rugged beauty, diverse terrain, and immersive wilderness experience, Moore Creek is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. Now, with this upcoming trail, riders and hikers will get an even greater opportunity to explore its breathtaking landscapes.
Liz Donahey (MTB Girls Magazine): Tom, Moore Creek is such a stunning place. Can you share a bit about what makes it special and how Redwood Trails Alliance got involved?
Tom Boss (Redwood Trails Alliance): Absolutely. Moore Creek Park is one of Napa’s most scenic open spaces, featuring rolling oak woodlands, steep canyons, and sweeping views. It’s got a bit of everything—flowy singletrack, technical rocky sections, and peaceful creek crossings. Over the past five years, we’ve been steadily developing trails here, enhancing access while preserving the park’s wild character.
Redwood Trails Alliance has worked on many of the existing trails, including Redux, and Dan’s Wild Ride (upper). Conn Peak and Whiskey Ridge and Catacoula are also all REMBA/RTA builds, as well as Washing Machine.
The goal is to provide a longer, more engaging ride without requiring users to descend back to the fire road and cross the creek. It also ensures year-round access—right now, some trails are difficult to use in winter due to high water levels. – Tom Boss
The Vision for Pay the Piper
LD: So, let’s talk about Pay the Piper! What inspired this new trail?
LD: This sounds like a major project. What goes into building a trail like this?
TB: Trail building is an art and a science. First, we determine the alignment, mapping out a route that avoids sensitive areas like steep cliffs, fragile vegetation, or historical sites. Then, we consider the user experience, making sure the trail is fun and flowy while maintaining sustainable grades.
Pay the Piper will be one of our most complex builds because of its rugged terrain and rocky outcrops. We plan to use an excavator to shape the trail, but some sections will require hand-built work due to the steep landscape. It’s estimated to be about 2.5 miles long and will take several years to complete, depending on funding.
Funding and Community Support
LD: Trail building doesn’t come cheap. How is this project being funded?
TB: We’re fortunate to have support from the Napa Trails Fund, which has raised over $200,000 from local donors who are passionate about outdoor recreation.
Building the Trail: Challenges and Strategy
In addition, we’re launching a fundraising campaign with a preview ride event in May and a major endurance ride on October 19, 2025 to help raise additional funds.
The more support we gather, the sooner we can complete Pay the Piper.
The Rider’s Experience
LD: What can riders expect from this trail once it’s finished?
TB: It’s going to be a mix of everything Moore Creek has to offer—flowy sections through woodlands, technical rocky bits, and stunning views. The trail will traverse high along the canyon. It will provide a challenging but rewarding ride, connecting some of the park’s best features while keeping users out of the creek during wet months.
A Legacy of Trail Building
LD: Redwood Trails Alliance has built and maintained so many trails over the years. Do you have a rough idea of how much trail you’ve created?
TB: At Moore Creek alone, we’ve built 7 miles of trail, and across Northern California, our team has contributed to over 40 miles of new trails. Redwood Trails Alliance formed from the merger of REMA Mountain Bike Association (2015) and the Sonoma Trails Council (1967), and together, we’ve been developing trails for over a decade.
Looking Ahead Down the Trail
LD: What’s next for Redwood Trails Alliance after Pay the Piper?
TB: Our focus is on making trails more accessible while preserving the environment. We’re looking into additional projects in Napa and Sonoma, and we’re also working on educational programs to get more people involved in trail stewardship.
The more we can engage the community, the more we can build a sustainable future for trails.
We encourage everyone to come out, explore Moore Creek, and support the Pay the Piper project. Whether it’s through donating, volunteering, or joining our fundraising rides, every bit helps to make this vision a reality. – Tom Boss
Photo Credit: Tom Boss
Tom Boss is the Executive Director of the Redwood Trails Alliance, with over 20 years of experience in outdoor recreation and conservation. Previously, he was the Off-Road and Events Director at the Marin County Bicycle Coalition for over a decade. Currently, he focuses on improving outdoor recreation in Sonoma, Napa, and Lake Counties by enhancing trail quality and quantity.
Learn more here about the Moore Creek Park project and how you can support it!
