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Sausalito Hikepix Continuation

3/23/2015

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Continuing a recent Sausalito hike … 

… Winding around on Lower Crescent, Crescent, and Sausalito Blvd. (first two pix), passing the top of the lower Cable Roadway stairs (pix 3, 4). Lower Cable Roadway climbs from Central to Crescent. The upper Cable Roadway steps continue up a few yards from here at Sausalito Blvd. where it merges with Crescent. There are street signs. 

Next for me this time: Cooper Lane, 120 steps. Cooper descends from Spencer/Sausalito/San Carlos. Google Maps does not show it as a stairway, but does show one of those red markers for its location between San Carlos and Sausalito/Spencer. Cooper does have street signs at its foot and top. Down Cooper (pix 5 thru 13, top to foot).


… And over to the top of Excelsior Lane at San Carlos/Miller (14 thru 18).  

Excelsior continues two more blocks downhill as a combination stairway/walk, about 179 total steps; after the first block down turned west this time on Harrison. 

Harrison down to Bulkley, 29 steps (19, 20, 21), and on to the top of El Monte at Bulkley, 120 steps back down to Bridgeway (22 thru 26). 


Again, El Monte’s not showing up as a stairway on Maps, but you’ll see another one of those red markers if you input the name. El Monte has street signs at the top and foot and is very visible as it climbs up from Bridgeway between shops. See 142 Bulkley on Streetview for the top of stairs street sign. 

So you can’t always see them marked as stairways on GM. Some are, some aren’t. Sausalito has to be the best-smelling city on earth: constant nature aromatherapy. 


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1. A favorite
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2. Cute little house!
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3. Top of lower Cable Roadway at Crescent
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4. Cable Roadway steps from Crescent down to Central
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5. Top of Cooper Lane
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6. Starting down Cooper Lane
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7. 120 steps
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8. Down from Spencer
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9. Partway down
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10. Down to San Carlos
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11. This part has a railing
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12. Nearing Cooper's foot
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13. A street sign at the foot too
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14. Top of Excelsior at San Carlos (at Miller)
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15. Down from San Carlos & Miller
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16. Upper block of Excelsior Lane
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17. This part between Harrison & San Carlos/Miller
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18. 179 total steps for Excelsior Lane
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19. Harrison to Bulkley
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20. Harrison descending to Bulkley
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21. 29 steps
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22. Showing El Monte's street sign at Bulkley
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23. 120 steps
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24. Between Bulkley & Bridgeway
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25. Down to the shops on Bridgeway
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26. Can't get much more visible than this!
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Random Sausalito Exercise

3/22/2015

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The first one starting up from Bridgeway was Reade Lane to Bulkley (first three pix), then onto the pedestrian pathway that runs just below Bulkley, moving east up from the brick steps off Princess (pix 4, 5, 6). These first two are combination pathways/short stairways. 

Reade does not show up on Google maps as a thru stairway starting up from Bridgeway, but does have street signs at both Bridgeway and Bulkley. From Bridgeway you can see steps up ahead as you look down the narrow alley.  

Up from Bulkley, Noble Lane’s 98 steps ascend. Noble does not show up as a stairway on Google Maps, but if you input the name it will show one of those red markers at the top of the stairs where it comes out at San Carlos and Sunshine. Noble, foot to top: 7, 8, 9, 10.

Down West Court from Central, 103 steps: 11 thru 17. At the foot it turns into West Street.

Up Oak Lane from West at Central and Richardson, 93 steps (pix 18 thru 22, foot to top). This stairway does not show up at all on Google Maps, not even as a red marker. But if you go to Streetview down from the West Court steps where Central starts uphill, you can see the foot of a stairway on the west side of the street. 

Oak starts out as concrete with railings, turns into wood steps in the middle, and back to regular concrete towards the top at Lower Crescent. It does have street signs at both the foot at West/Central/Richardson and the top. 

Continuing this hike … next post … 

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1. Reade Lane up from Bridgeway
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2. Bridgeway to Bulkley
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3. Top of Reade's steps part
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4. Princess to Bulkley for pedestrians
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5. Pathway just below Bulkley
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6. Up to Bulkley from the walkers' path
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7. Foot of Noble Lane at Bulkley
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8. Up Noble from Bulkley
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9. Near the top
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10. Noble's top at San Carlos/Sunshine/Central
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11. Down West Court from Central
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12. 103 steps
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13. Homes on both sides
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14. A favorite stairway
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15. Looking back up
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16. Near foot of West Court
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17. At foot of West Court is West Street
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18. Oak Lane has a street sign at the foot
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19. 93 steps
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20. Oak turns to wood in the middle
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21. Up to Lower Crescent
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22. Oak has rails and concrete steps again at the top
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China Beach Viewsteps

3/21/2015

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Winding around San Francisco’s Seacliff neighborhood, a short distance to the beach area (first pic) from where I started at 29th Ave. & California, the main stairway down has 104 steps: 1 thru 10.

From the foot, an additional 20 wood and old concrete steps down to the sand on the west side: 11, 12.

On the beach: 13, 14.

There are also 21 separate concrete steps down to the sand (pic 15), 20 up to the observation deck (pic 16), and 20 more down from the upper deck back to the foot of the long stairway (pic 17). The showers are closed now due to the water shortage.

From here, winding a few blocks to the west on El Camino del Mar (pic 18) will take you to Land’s End's east trailhead. 

East to west on the main Land’s End/Coastal Trail: 19 thru 25.

Trail I like just below the golf course (especially during blackberry season): pic 26.

Connector stairs from Coastal Trail/Land’s End Trail up to El Camino del Mar Trail, 89 steps: 27, 28.

El Camino del Mar Trail footbridge: 29, 30 (just before stairway up to west end of Legion of Honor parking lot). 

El CamIno del Mar Trail view down to second overlook on the Coastal Trail, pic 31.

Upper parking lot overlook: top of stairway down to Coastal Trail from west end of El Camino del Mar Trail, about 59 steps: last two.

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1. Top of stairs, right
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2. "Since Gold Rush times, this cove was used as a campsite by many of the Chinese fishermen... "
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3. Top of the steps
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4. 104 steps for the main stairway
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5. Nice spot for a bench!
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6. Starting down
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7. See what I mean by "viewsteps"?
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8. Bench under a tree
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9. Green and wildflowers on both sides
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10. Foot of the main stairway
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11. This way to the beach
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12. 20 steps down to the sand
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13. Looking up from the beach
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14. View to the east
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15. More steps descend to the beach
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16. 20 steps up
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17. Upper deck down to foot of the main stairway
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18. Up to El Camino del Mar, Seacliff neighborhood
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19. Now at Land's End near Eagle's Point Overlook
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20. Center is China Beach from Land's End Trail
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21. Presidio and China Beach from Land's End
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22. View from near foot of east stairway on the Land's End Trail
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23. View east from Coastal Trail
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24. About 120 steps for the east stairway, continuing on the Land's End Trail
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25. About 138 steps for the "Painted Rock" steps down the west side
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26. Trail just below the golf course
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27. Connector steps between Coastal Trail and El Camino del Mar Trail
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28. About 89 up to El Camino del Mar Trail
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29. El Camino del Mar Trail
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30. El Camino del Mar Trail
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31. Looking down at the second overlook
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32. Steps down to first overlook
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33. East from this overlook to the El Camino del Mar Trail
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The Steps and the Wildspot

3/20/2015

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My favorite thing about the Sutro Heights Park area, besides the long stairway that climbs up the south slope, of course, and the viewspot overlooking Ocean Beach (site of the former turreted Sutro mansion), is the less-tamed wildspot on the south side. 

This is called Balboa Natural Area on Google Maps. It has multiple sandy trails; this time noticed less litter. And behind the still colorfully graffitied-upon wood fence at the top of the stairs there no longer appears to be evidence of homeless encampments.  

Crossing Point Lobos at the crosswalk near Land’s End Lookout (first two pix, north views from just below the Lookout), and up a trail near the parking lot, leading directly to this little structure (pic 3), then up the 21 north steps to the viewplace with the benches.

Here’s an excellent site with old photos of Sutro’s statues that used to live up here and on the grounds:


http://www.cliffhouseproject.com/environs/heights/heights.htm

Down the 35 gardensteps on the south side (pix 4 thru 14) and over towards the east edge of the park for the main trail down to the Balboa Natural Area. One can scramble down and up other ways as well but the main trail down is easier. It’s gorgeous here, especially now with all the green grass ’n yellow oxalis, the blooming  iceplant, trees, and views. 

The viewspot: 15, 16


The wildspot: 17 thru 23


The stairway (118 steps): 24 thru 38


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1. Cavetop viewplace and west trailhead for Coastal Trail upper left
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2. View to north from just below Land's End Lookout
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3. Main part of Sutro Heights Park
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4. South steps down from the viewspot
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5. Southside gardens
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6. South steps
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7. Southside
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8. Ocean Beach below
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9. South wall
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10. Beautiful!
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11. Steps closeup
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12. South steps
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13. Southside steps
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14. Long ago various statuary was atop the parapets
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15. Ocean Beach below
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16. There are benches up here
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17. Roots and pieces of wood as steps
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18. Thick-sand trails
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19. Blooming iceplant
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20. Balboa Natural Area
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21. Dune-y viewspot
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22. Trees and trails above Point Lobos/Great Highway
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23. Viewspot above the beach
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24. Top of the stairs
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25. After the graffiti-wood fence, a chainlink fence
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26. Sand and wood
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27. Down to Balboa St. & La Playa
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28. 118 steps
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29. Between steps
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30. Green and wildflowery
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31. Ocean Beach, left
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32. Looking back
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33. More steps
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34. Yellow oxalis, left
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35. Nearing the foot
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36. This is how it looks in the winter/spring
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37. From the foot at Balboa
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38. Old park sign
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The Rope was Gone

3/19/2015

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Starting up to Mount Sutro Forest from 7th Ave. & Lawton, first on Warren in the Forest Knolls neighborhood, then onto the Oakhurst Lane stairway (354 steps) that climbs to Crestmont: 1 thru 7.

Turning the corner on Crestmont for the unsigned West Ridge trailhead to continue into the forest, disappointed to see that the helpful rope was no longer there. Why’d they remove it? Thought it was a good idea for starting up the steepish first part of this trail. 


Looking north thru the trees from the West Ridge: pic 8, then up at the Historic Trail, pic 9.

At the top of the West Ridge at the Historic Trail, could’ve continued up the West Ridge directly to the summit but enjoy winding around on the Historic: 10, 11, 12.  

Onto the South Ridge Trail to the summit. Always beautiful and peaceful up here, of course, but now especially gorgeous with all the butterflies, green grass and yellow oxalis: 13 thru 17.

Down the East Ridge (18, 19, 20) and onto the pedestrian walkway that winds along one side of Medical Center Way (21, 22). Onto the Fairy Gates Trail that merges into the Edgewood TraIl, and out to Edgewood Ave. at its south dead-end (23, 24). 

A few blocks to the north on redbricked Edgewood Ave. will take you to the top of the Farnsworth stairway, 149 steps down to Willard: 25 thru 29.

From the foot at Willard down to Parnassus and the #43 line bus stop here (300 Panassus).

Picture
1. Starting up the Oakhurst steps from Warren
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2. Warren up to Crestmont
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3. Warren rooftops below
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4. Center distance: Grandview Park in Golden Gate Heights
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5. 354 steps
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6. Looking back down
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7. Top at Crestmont with the forest above
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8. A view thru the trees from the West Ridge Trail
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9. Historic Trail up ahead from the West Ridge Trail
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10. View north from the Historic Trail
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11. Winding round to the summit
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12. HistorIc Trail
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13. Summit benches
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14. Tea bottle, yellow oxalis and green grass
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15. Difficult to get up and move on
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16. Moving east on a summit trail
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17. Butterflies and warm sun
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18. Starting down the East Ridge Trail
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19. Alone on a sun-dappled forest trail
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20. East Ridge Trail
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21. Pedestrian walkway on Medical Center Way
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22. Trails above and below
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23. Edgewood Trail switchback
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24. End of Edgewood Trail at Edgewood Ave.
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25. Near top of Farnsworth steps
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26. Edgewood down to Willard
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27. 149 steps
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28. Nasturtiums and oxalis
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29. Farnsworth's foot at Willard just above Parnassus
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Rob Hill to Baker Beach

3/4/2015

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Down the Presidio’s Connector Trail (208 steps; top at Immigrant Point Overlook) to Lincoln, first six pix, then across the street to descend the Sand Ladder.

The Sand Ladder has over 200 log steps but you’ll probably get a different staircount each time as some will be totally covered with sand: 7 thru 24.

West a little way to ascend a shorter one (43 steps): 25, 26, 27, 28.

Along the trail atop Battery Chamberlin (pic 29) and through the picnic area with its dunes, trees, and good cooking aromas. Last pic, a Baker Beach “green roof.”   

A little way uphill from the westernmost parking area is a bus stop for the crosstown #29. 

Picture
1. Down the Connector Trail from Immigrant Point Overlook
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2. A trail to the left leads to the Baker Beach Apts.
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3. Down from the main stairway heading north
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4. A welcoming bench, right
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5. Top of the Sand Ladder upper left corner; Batteries to Bluffs Trail to right
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6. Foot of the Connector Trail center
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7. Top of the Sand Ladder
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8. Starting down
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9. Not steep right at first
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10. Over 200 steps
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11. Be sure to check out Fort Funston's Ocean Beach steps too
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12. Log steps are sand-covered
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13. An excellent workout, especially climbing back up!
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14. Looking back up
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15. Listening to the crashing waves; enjoying the warm sun
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16. Closeup of the logs
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17. Down to the foot
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18. Looking up from the foot
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19. Lincoln Blvd. down to Baker Beach
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20. A beloved and much-used Stairmaster
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21. Count 'em for yourself. This time I got a conservative 224 steps.
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22. Love the green on both sides
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23. Batteries to Bluffs Trail is above to the left
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24. Sideview
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25. A little way to the west, this shorter one
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26. Sandy logs like her big sister
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27. About 43 steps for this one
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28. Top of the shorter stairway
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29. A view to the east
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30. A "green roof" at the Baker Beach picnic area
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Battery East Trail to Cemetery Overlook

3/2/2015

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Just to the east of the bridge, all the Battery East Trail is walkable again, including the small picnic area down the short but steep slope and the low-overhead tunnel (pix 1 thru 6). Concerned about this unique little tunnel because of all the ongoing park changes.  

Continuing onto the paved walkway that curves around to the stairway: 7 thru 11.

153 steps for the Battery East Trail’s wood steps down to the west edge of Crissy field, the Warming Hut, and the road to Fort Point: 12 thru 16.


Up the stairs again and onto the trail between two vehicle streets that takes one from the Battery East Trail viewplaces out to Crissy Field Overlook: 17, 18, 19, 20.

Crossing the footbridge (pic 21), down alongside the stables (no hosses seen this time), and up the meandering Park Trail (22 thru 26) to climb the 98 wood steps that wind thru the forest to the Cemetery Overlook. 


Stairs up from Park Trail to the overlook: 27 thru 36.


Trailhead for the east trail from the overlook to the Post Chapel, last pic.
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1. Straight ahead and down to the picnic tables
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2. Picnic area and steps down to the low overhead tunnel
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3. No longer blocked off
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4. Continue on the trail
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5. Earthworks built into the bluffs
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6. Part of the Fort Point National Historic Site
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7. Starting the paved part of the Battery East Trail
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8. Also a popular spot to view the Blue Angels
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9. Vast views from the Battery East Trail
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10. It winds around
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11. Nothing in the way
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12. Top of the stairs down to Crissy Field and Fort Point
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13. 153 steps
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14. Looking back
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15. Torpedo Wharf fishing pier near Warming Hut
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16. Foot of the stairs
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17. Back at the top of the steps now, a left turn
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18. Side of the stairway
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19. Trail between two vehicle streets
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20. Love this trail
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21. Footbridge; stables and Park Trail ahead
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22. East side of Fort Scott neighborhood in distance thru the trees
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23. Park Trail up ahead
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24. Park Trail leads to Cemetery Overlook steps
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25. Park Trail curves around
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26. Gradual uphilling thru the forest
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27. Foot of the steps
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28. Park Trail to Nat'l Cemetery Overlook
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29. Stairway winding through the woods
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30. Peaceful forest beauty
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31. The cemetery is to the left
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32. 98 steps
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33. Cemetery Overlook and stairs completed in 2009
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34. Looking back down
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35. Top of the steps at the Overlook
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36. Presidio trails are well-signed
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37. This trail heads east to the chapel with stairs down to the Main Post
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237 for Harry

3/1/2015

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After stopping in at the Diamond Heights Safeway, curved down Diamond Heights Blvd. to Diamond, then onto Beacon. A couple of top entrances for Billy Goat Hill Park are on Beacon. Pix from the top: 1 thru 7.

About a block to the south for the top of Harry stairway. It has a street sign at both ends. Down its 237-ish steps, first wood, then concrete towards the foot. 

Upper Harry: 8 thru 12. 

My favorite house on the stairway, 30 Harry, can be seen more clearly from the steps now. Now hangin’ out in the front yard, this guy: 13, 14.

Thens from 1972 (15, 16) and Nows for the house next door to 30 Harry: 17, 18.

Lower Harry: 19, 20, 21.  

Descending into Noe Valley from Glen Park’s Laidley at the foot of Harry, a couple of houses I like on this steep upper (south) end of Noe, last two pix.  

Down to 30th & Noe where there’s a bus stop for the #24 Divisadero. 

Picture
1. Billy Goat Hill below from Beacon
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2. Top (west) end of 30th Street to left
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3. Main entrance to the park at Beacon
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4. Castro stairway in distance
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5. Replacement steps and the swing-tree
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6. Bernal Hill in distance
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7. Noe Valley in distance
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8. Top of Harry stairway
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9. Down from Beacon
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10. Connecting Glen Park to Diamond Heights
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11. Looking back up
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12. A side gate
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13. 30 Harry with resident giraffe
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14. This guy's wearing Xmas lights
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15. THEN, 1972: One down from 30 Harry
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16. THEN, 1972: One down from 30 Harry
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17. NOW, 2015: One down from 30 Harry
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18. NOW, 2015: One down from 30 Harry
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19. Wood to concrete
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20. 237 or so down to Laidley in Glen Park
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21. Harry's foot
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22. Top of Noe just below Laidley
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23. Noe & 30th
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    I like meandering around on San Francisco's park trails and public stairways, sometimes taking photos, and enjoying nature and the outdoors.

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