The approximate $2 million sale by the McCrea family has halted work on the last 10% percent of the trail until the Maria Hansen Trust, new owners of the ranch, sign off on public access to the perpetual conservation easement purchased four years ago for about $1.2 million by Sonoma County taxpayers.

The easement, bought by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, guaranteed the land would not be developed, but didn't address the public access issue. The trail, which offers views of six counties, is meant to be part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which will in turn be part of the Sonoma Mountain Trail planned for connecting Jack London State Park, Sonoma Development Center property and the McCrea Ranch.

A Sacramento lawyer representing the Maria Hansen Trust has said the trust is willing to negotiate the trail easement. The trust has not yet named its intentions for the property.