Towards the west dead-end (for cars) of the parking lot is the Battle of the Bulge Trail, short and with a few steps at each end, that leads up to the VA Hospital parking area behind the buildings. The area is currently undergoing construction all along the north side: “North Slope Stabilization.” The trail and its plantings were unmolested on the north side and I was able to continue up to the parking lot. But unable to continue around the edge of the lot; it’s fenced off.
Decided to check on the two old “hidden” stairways that descend from the far west side of the VA parking lot (see first pic). You’ll see a pedestrian trail down to the Fort Miley area; instead turn right to the end of the concrete circle up here.
If you go down the stairs all the way you’ll be at the Fort Miley ruins near the picnic area. The trail I like continues to the north from the first of these short stairways for a little way (between the parking lot and the top of the Fort Miley ruins). This area was also unharmed.
A sandy, steep, enclosed zigzag trail takes me down to the El Camino del Mar Trail.
The main stairway that connects the El Camino del Mar with the Coastal Trail crosses a short footbridge and continues down to the Coastal Trail with 89 wood steps in all (second pic).
Was now close to the second overlook on the main Lands End Trail (Coastal Trail) and very soon after that came to the new (replaced) stairway that climbs to the upper parking lot overlook: 59 steps (third foto).