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Birders' Paradise

5/30/2012

Heard about a new family at the Presidio's El Polin Spring since my last visit. Watched a video of the ducklings on Facebook and went to check 'em out in person. However, no ducks seen today -- just an amazing number of different birds, including a couple of hummingbirds; and damselflies and butterflies.

Not that one needs an excuse to visit this renovated little valley that's behind the Main Post and just downhill from Inspiration Point Overlook (views from: first two pics). And the Ecology Trail (next three pix) connects everything, including the new stairway down from the west side to the picnic area and ponds.

Started from the Presidio Blvd. Gate onto Lovers Lane. One trail I especially like around here is down from Lovers Lane, between the Mountain Lake Trail to the south and residential areas to the north.

It's a short, easy walk to El Polin Spring from here. Down the older stairway from the east this time (about 30 steps: last two pics) onto the boardwalk, the whole area now looking noticeably greener and new-plantings flags in evidence. It's so peaceful down here next to the ponds. Sign icons for dogs-on-leash and no-bikes have been added here since my last visit.

When I could force myself to leave the sunny picnic area, ascended the newer stairway (about 69 steps) to the Ecology Trail. Found a few ripe early blackberries on the way back uphill to exit at the Arguello Gate.

Cityview from Inspiration Point

View from Inspiration Point Overlook

Steps down from Inspiration Point Overlook to Ecology Trail

Ecology Trail from Inspiration Point Overlook

Upper Ecology Trail

Down to El Polin Spring on the older stairway

El Polin Spring's boardwalk trail

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Long Sunday Presidio Hike

5/28/2012

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Decided on a Sunday afternoon-only Presidio hike after all, but not to take a bus into and out of the park. Usually catch the bus only after walking all the way out of the park anyway unless up at the bridge area where the #28 conveniently stops. Extended walks through birdsongy forests are much preferred to overpacked buses.

Began at the 14th Ave. Gate where the dunes stairway-and-boardwalk area (107 or so steps) is part of the Mountain Lake Trail (first pic).

Over and out at Battery Caulfield and uphill to Washington; onto the Anza Trail to continue around to Rob Hill Campground (second and third pics). From there onto my favorite short forest trail that descends to Fort Scott (fourth pic).

Deviated from the usual route by continuing past the photogenic Dragonfly Creek stone footbridge (fifth pic) to a shady spot where there's a trail, the south edge of the nursery and residential area just above, at Fort Scott's southeast side. The long-term daylighting project around here is still ongoing, but now the trail is through for walkers.

Continued under the new highway overpass. I like the green-rails-on-white of it here with the green streetlights. Came to several old buildings that have been repainted and restored, including one I used to have an old photo of; will try to find to compare (sixth pic). Benches next to a bed of lavender (near Park and Schofield) in the sun discouraged me from moving on. Very peaceful here with the cars swooshing by above and bicyclists and hikers in the distance on Park and the Park Trail.

There seemed to be more hikers and bikers than usual in the areas where I was today, but not as many as expected.

The Park Trail (seventh pic: the cemetery from the Park trail) took me to the foot of the forest stairs that snake up to the Cemetery Overlook (about 98 steps). Sitting on one of the benches here, looked up to see skywriting: "Happy 75th."

Out to the south overlook entrance, now on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. This eventually took me past the Spire sculpture (Inspiration Point is nearby on the other side of the street), and out of the park at the Arguello Gate.

Up to the Dunes Boardwalk from 14th Ave. on Mountain Lake Trail

Trail to right to Rob Hill Campground from Washington

Right side for Rob Hill Campground

Trails thru the Forest to Fort Scott ahead

Dragonfly Creek footbridge, Fort Scott

Renovated small house near Park & Schofield

The Cemetery from the Park Trail

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Saturday Presidio Trails

5/28/2012

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From the bridge plaza, a few new steps took me to an improved pedestrian trail, attractive new fencing, and marked paved bike lanes: very well done and it's much easier (and safer) to walk along here now (first pic).

The 153 wood steps that descend from the east end of the Battery East Trail are unchanged (second pic). These curve down to the west edge of Crissy Field at the pier (Torpedo Wharf) and the Warming Hut.

After a pier-stroll, back up the steps to the Battery East Trail where I noticed temporary orange flexi-barriers and Area Closed signs in some spots so as to deter off-trail plant-trampling during the bridge's birthday party on Sunday.

Continued on the paved part of the Battery East to the dirt part along the "Earthworks" to the short low-overhead tunnel with its few steps at either end. Found this attraction unmolested also (third pic). Except along the slopes here are new plantings with accompanying straw wattles and that thick burlappy stuff.

Out to the two picnic tables and up the short-but-steep slope to the aforementioned biker-and-hiker trails under the bridge (fourth pic). Fifth pic: view of Fort Point below. From the west end of this short section, the Coastal Trail continues to the Golden Gate Overlook.

Up the new short overlook stairway that's across from Battery Godfrey this time (sixth pic) where a sign advised of a walking tour. Plopped myself down on one of the new benches for a few moments to watch people climbing all over one of the batteries (seventh photo).

On the #28 heading out of the park, I like looking down at the horses standing around the old stables.

Bridge plaza trail improvements

Battery East Trail steps up from Crissy Field

Low Overhead Tunnel to picnic area

Improved biker and hiker trails

Fort Point below from the trail

Golden Gate Overlook steps. Battery Godfrey across the trail.

People on a battery as seen from Golden Gate Overlook

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Pacific Overlook

5/24/2012

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The Pacific Overlook, the Presidio's latest (first pic), is very close to the east trailhead for the Batteries to Bluffs Trail (about 474 steps). Trails and bike lanes along Lincoln have been improved. There's attractive new fencing and new infosigns and trail markers. Next two pix: view of the BTB from Lincoln near the overlook.

The view of the whole world from here is another "OMG! Go check this out for yourself! Mere words don't do it justice."

Starting out from the bridge area's #28 bus stop, it looked like the Battery East Trail is open and hopefully also the part of the Coastal Trail that passes under the bridge. Will hike this in a couple of days.

Took the walkers' tunnel again west from the bridge area. After passing the sheltered bus stop for the #28, crossed Lincoln to what looked like a through trail. It's short and wildflowery, between two vehicle streets, and will take you directly out to the first Overlook, the Golden Gate. Just cross the street to ascend the main stairway.

The Pacific Overlook is just west of the Golden Gate Overlook raved about last week: fourth pic. The area has been opened up and trails improved so you don't need to walk on Lincoln to get from one overlook to the other (fifth pic). Sunny but windy today with lots of whitecaps down there.

If I want to attend the bridge's 75th birthday party on Sunday, guess it would behoove me to walk into/through the park and not try to take a bus up to the bridge area. Vehicles are being discouraged; it's suggested people bike, walk, or take public transportation. Plenty of still-locked porta-potties are lined up for Sunday.

I'd still like to see at least one pedestrian bridge to take you to/from Fort Scott as even on weekdays the vehicle traffic around here can be heavy. There are bright-white crosswalks and people are slowing down for walkers as they should, but I'd appreciate something like the green walkers' bridge over Clarendon between Forest Knolls and Midtown Terrace.

It's a short and pleasant stroll (sixth pic) along the north side of Lincoln from the west edge of the Pacific Overlook to the sandy trail that descends to Battery Crosby, at the top of which is the Batteries to Bluffs' west trailhead.

In many spots along the Batteries to Bluffs, the wildflowers and other plants on both sides of the trail are taller than I am.

Pacific Overlook

Batteries to Bluffs Trail from Lincoln

Bridge and east BTB trailhead from Lincoln

A view from the Golden Gate Overlook

On a trail between the two Overlooks

Trail on Lincoln between Pacific Overlook and Batteries to Bluffs west trailhead

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Golden Gate Overlook

5/16/2012

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The #28 bus passed through a new tunnel on the Presidio Parkway heading towards the bridge. It's starting to look really good out there after the Doyle Drive Demolition Weekend. "… The Presidio Parkway was designed to better complement the spectacular natural environment." See:

http://www.presidioparkway.org

Still unable to descend to the Coastal Trail in the immediate bridgeview area so as to walk to the west beneath the bridge as the trail's closed here due to construction and trail improvements. So detoured through the pedestrian tunnel and around to visit the recently opened Golden Gate Overlook.

However, the new 3,500-square-foot Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion has also just opened and provides visitors with info and various bridge memorabilia for sale, including 75th-anniversary shirts, so had a walk-thru before taking off for the Overlook.

http://www.parksconservancy.org/park-improvements/current-projects/san-francisco/golden-gate-bridge-pavilion.html

The main Overlook stairway has 37 steps: concrete, then wood (first two pix). This entrance is just across the road from the Fort Scott infosign. Lots of new plantings and sturdy protective burlappy-netting. I like the way the built-in wood benches curve around the hilltop lookout (third pic), and the view is OMG, OMG, OMG, especially through the two trees (fourth photo). Two shorter stairways are on the north side. One is new (19 steps) and the other is the much older stairway that descends from the ancient building with the barred windows (whatever it once was). Now one can walk all around the old building.

http://www.sherwoodengineers.com/blog/?p=1256

http://www.parksconservancy.org/park-improvements/current-projects/san-francisco/golden-gate-overlook.html

Both these stairways will take you down to the Coastal Trail that meanders alongside the batteries. A short distance to the west is the east trailhead for the Batteries to Bluffs Trail.

Returning, ascended the usual battery stairs (fifth pic) to get up to the wildflower-enclosed Coastal Trail (last pic). You can walk along this part okay, but the trail's still closed at its east end too, so right now it's an up-and-back.

Golden Gate Overlook's main entrance

Golden Gate Overlook. Fort Scott beyond.

The Bridge from the Overlook

This way to the Coastal Trail

Coastal Trail. Golden Gate Overlook in distance.

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More Russian Hill Revisits

5/10/2012

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Today's excursion: a few more Russian Hill stairways and steep streets not visited in a while.

Up Leavenworth to the foot of 31.5-grade Filbert (first pic: Hyde, at the top) with its two sidewalk stairways. Took the south steps to get over to the 1338 Filbert Cottages (between Polk and Larkin): very old, long abandoned, and enclosed by a solid wood fence with forbidding barbed wire at the top. Evidently the cottages are now protected from being demolished (and replaced with an ugly, modernistic, no-personality condo). These cute little guys are San Francisco Landmark 232.

Having loved these (as seen from holes in the fence or over the gate: second pic) for years, was relieved to see them still hangin' in there. I've fantasized about painting them all different colors, moving into one, and gardening to my heart's content. Maybe a picket fence around the whole thing.

Up to Larkin again to ascend George Sterling Park's center stairway. After 44 steps there's a bricked viewplace (as in Bay and Bridge) with benches. This peaceful little hilltop park has multiple stairways.

Down from Sterling Park via eastside steps to Greenwich and down one of the sidewalk stairways to the vehicle dead-end.

Greenwich now turns into a stairway/walk: a few steps, then a curvy walkway, and repeat, including a couple of benches and fountain (third and fourth pix) -- down to Leavenworth again.

Continuing on Greenwich, made my way down the steep street to enter Michelangelo Playground. This small park is unique: below the street, surrounded by residences, entered by a few wooden steps that are part of a playground. There's a very attractive (locked, but easy to see over the low fence) community garden (fifth pic).

Heading south steeply up Leavenworth to Havens stairway/walk (sixth photo), partway up the steps this time to sit in the shade a few minutes.

Top of Filbert at Hyde

1338 Filbert, Landmark 232

Greenwich stairway/walk

Michelangelo Park community garden

Havens stairway/walk up from Leavenworth

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Movie or Commercial?

5/9/2012

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A short Russian Hill hike took me up the Jones sidewalk stairway on the east side today: 301 steps (first pic) to Macondray Lane. Upon reaching the foot of the old wooden Macondray Lane stairway (36 steps, second pic), at Taylor, saw a bunch of people up here, apparently filming a speeding racecar. Was asked to wait before continuing up Taylor.

Didn't feel like waiting around so turned right and ascended the Green St. stairway, 126 steps from Taylor to Jones (third pic).

Turned to descend the Vallejo stairway (fourth photo) alongside and below the micropark where partway down could see police and camerapeople below, with people in Ina Coolbrith Park across Taylor (fifth pic) viewing the action.

Back up the stairs and west to an offshoot alley off Leavenworth (Glover) to pass by a couple of old houses I've always liked; found 'em alive and well. I do love my offshoot alleys.

So hope this will be an actual movie this time, and not just one of those ubiquitous car commercials for TV. Anyone know what this is about?

Jones Sidewalk Steps

Macondray Lane down to Taylor

Green stairway, Taylor to Jones

Vallejo stairway to Taylor

Ina Coolbrith Park steps, Taylor to Mason

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Lovers Lane to Park Presidio

5/9/2012

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I tend to gravitate to the Presidio's west side more often for hikes, but the east and middle definitely have their charms too. For instance, to enter the park via the Broadway trailhead near the Lyon stairway is a real treat, and the Simonds Loop steps are also on the extreme east side.

From the Lovers Lane trailhead into the park, you can wind along the Mountain Lake Trail on the south side a short distance until you reach the newly renovated El Polin Spring picnic area and then up to Inspiration Point Overlook. This time stepped down from Lovers Lane after a few yards onto a favorite sandy trail that's just below the Mountain Lake Trail, across from the beginning of the Wood Line forest sculpture.

Meandered along to the west in the thick sand and warm sunshine and along a trail that during blackberry season provides good yields. Soon was looking out over El Polin from a trail above. A couple of ducks were diving in the northernmost pond when I got down there. There's the old stairway down and a longer, steeper one up the west slope that will take you to the Ecology Trail which curves around to Inspiration Point Overlook. First pic: a view from above, showing the older, shorter stairway down from the south slope.

For a change, however, headed north through the residential area where I discovered yet another new neighborhood garden in a space between homes near El Polin on McArthur near Wallen (second pic). Went up a few steps from Wallen (just because I'd always only passed by it before without ascending). But there was no real trail there, just pine needles and tall grasses; it was short and then I was on Quarry Road, the next residential street up. At Quarry and Barnard are 36 steps to Moraga at the Main Post and the newly opened Inn at the Presidio. There's now a plaque on the front: "Historic Homes of America. National Trust for Historic Preservation."

You can continue west straight through the Main Post to the steps that lead up to the Post Chapel. Detoured this time to the temporary Visitor Center (just past the Disney Museum), but found it closed (hours: Thursday-Sunday, 10 to 4).

Headed back uphill (aromas of freshly cut grass and eucalyptus) towards the front of the Post Chapel (love the architecture; third pic) and round to one of my favorite trails. This one zigs and climbs through sun-dappled, birdsong-y woods at the south side of the cemetery up to the Cemetery Overlook. In the distance the Bridge was mostly blanketed in fog (fourth pic). The Overlook steps (98 or so, fifth foto) will take you back into the forest again and down to the Park Trail.

At the top of the golf course, continued south downhill to the Mountain Lake Trail (also an excellent area during berrytime). This trail takes you under a highway overpass and around Mountain Lake (a groupwalk and several redtail hawks seen).

If you exit the park here, you can walk all the way south to Golden Gate Park on the island trail that divides Park Presidio. You do have to cross each of the E-W streets, but then can get back on the greenway. This time just went from the park to the bus stop on California.

El Polin Spring from a trail above. Older steps to right.

Neighborhood garden near El Polin Spring

Post Chapel

Fog and bridgetop from Cemetery Overlook

Cemetery Overlook steps down to Park Trail

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Pheasants Still in Residence

5/5/2012

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San Bruno Mountain Park is now open from 8 to 8, summer hours. Today on the well-traveled Old Guadalupe Trail, just about to descend to the Bog Trail, right in front of me strolled a male pheasant. He was smaller than the guy who pecked and chased me during two different Bog visits a few months ago. He ignored me, proceeding across the trail and up the slope. Glad to see they haven't moved out of the area. The larger bird may be this one's dad.

The wildflowers come in yellow, gold, red, orange, lavender, white, and purple on the velvety green mountain. Did the Bog (both ways) and Old Ranch Road Trail (up 'n back). The Meadow's now beautifully blanketed with tall grasses and little white daisies. Some family outings noticed today, some sporting walking sticks and trekking poles. On the Old Ranch Road found a sturdy wood branch to use as my own walking stick; left it at the trailhead sign when exiting the park at Crocker.

While at the vehicles-barred gate at the end of the Old Ranch Road (at Carter, a sign directing to the Cow Palace here), saw someone walking along on the other side of the street. So it may be safe for pedestrians here, but even though you can exit the park via this trail, why walk at the side of a highway when you can stay in the park. Saw a bunch of bulldozers down below near the homes. Looks like developers on the rampage.

On the way back on the part of the Bog with the benches, noticed the center part of the midtrail footbridge's railing has collapsed.

Old Ranch Road Trail

Trailheads for Bog Trail from Old Guadalupe Trail near the Meadow

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Damselflies and Whitecaps

5/1/2012

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Today's hike was a favorite route: Off the bus at Park Presidio and California and up 14th Ave. to the trail that curves to the right. The first stairway was to the dunes boardwalk (first pic), 104 steps if you count the several on the boardwalk itself at the top.

Up Battery Caulfield to Washington and onto a trail that curves round the south side of Rob Hill Campground, in use today, tents scattered about. Down a few wood steps and onto the short trail that leads to the Fort Scott neighborhood and community garden.

This time took the long way around to Immigrant Point Overlook from Fort Scott to descend the Connector Trail (208 steps down to Lincoln: next two pix). On the way passed a bunch of grouphikers whom I later saw down at Lincoln near the Sand Ladder trailhead just as I was about to step down into the woods from Immigrant Point.

The Batteries to Bluffs Trail is saturated with wildflowers and enclosed in greenery. Noticed a number of damselflies and bumblebees on both the Connector and BTB (fourth pic: the west side).

From the bus out of the park, could see to my left the new bridge approach on its own now. The last pic was taken last December, showing old and new.

Steps to dune boardwalk area. Wyman Ave. homes to right.

Connector Trail. Immigrant Point Overlook to Lincoln.

Batteries to Bluffs Trail, west side.

Bridge approaches old and new, taken Dec. 2011.

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