Blog Archives

Presidio Attractions

6/23/2013

I'm all over favorite parts of the Presidio lately, including more Batteries to Bluffs Trail ups 'n downs than usual.

Photos from a couple of recent hikes:

First pic: Moving east to west down to El Polin Springs on the new Mountain Lake Trail extension, an accessible ramp that replaced the old stairway down to the little valley with its birds, ponds, and boardwalk.

Second pic: Top of the newer steps on the west side from El Polin up to the Ecology Trail (69 steps).

Third pic: Ecology Trail climbing to Inspiration Point Overlook.

Pics 4 and 5: Top of Immigrant Point Overlook. To the left is the top of the Sand Ladder; to the right is Battery Crosby and the Batteries to Bluffs west trailhead. In the center, starting down from Lincoln, is the top of the short trail leading to Battery Crosby.

From here, down the Connector Trail (208 steps) descending from the left of the overlook to Lincoln (pics 6, 7, 8, 9).

At Lincoln, down to Baker Beach then back up via the Sand Ladder (250+ steps), pics 10, 11. Ya wanna really good workout, this one's highly recommended.

The good ol' Batteries to Bluffs up 'n downer is next, moving west to east (pics 12, 13, 14, 15, 16: 473 steps), then past the Golden Gate Overlook (pics 16, 17). Finally onto "Tony's Trail" with a view of the bridge's toll plaza (last one).

1. Mountain Lake Trail extension down to El Polin Springs

2. Top of the newer westside steps from Ecology Trail to El Polin Springs

3. Ecology Trail climbs to Inspiration Point Overlook

4. From Immigrant Point Overlook. To left, top of Sand Ladder; right, trail to Battery Crosby

5. Immigrant Point Overlook. Top of Connector Trail to left.

6. Connector Trail down from Immigrant Point Overlook

7. Connector Trail down from Immigrant Point Overlook

8. Connector Trail descends to Lincoln

9. Top of Sand Ladder across Lincoln from Connector Trail

10. Near top of Sand Ladder

11. Partway down the Sand Ladder

12. Westside down, Batteries to Bluffs Trail

13. Midtrail, Batteries to Bluffs

14. Midtrail, Batteries to Bluffs

15. Eastside up, Batteries to Bluffs Trail

16. East trailhead, Batteries to Bluffs

17. Golden Gate Overlook

18. Steps near Golden Gate Overlook

19. Toll Plaza area from "Tony's Trail"

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Steps n Trails

6/21/2013

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Wherever you go in Lands End there's no avoiding stairways, some having been constructed or extended in the last several years, making this viewpark highly recommended for fans of public stairs: shorts, mediums, and longs. (There are more stairways in this park than these mentioned today.)

Two good long ones to start with on the west side: The stairway down from the lower parking lot overlook that I call the "Merrie Way" has about 127 steps (pics 1, 2).

Continuing up from the top of the cave, a view of Sutro Baths ruins below (pics 3, 4), the Sutro Baths Upper Trail (Coastal Trail's west trailhead) has 141 steps (pics 5, 6, 7, 8).

From the top of this, around on the curvy walkway and up the 57 steps (ninth pic) to the upper parking lot overlook, the El Camino del Mar trailhead to the east.

Up through the forest from here to the old Fort Miley ruins: 22 steps up the first flight (this one visible to anyone in the area: 10th pic), where I hang a left for the zigzag/sand part of "Tony's Trail" (pic 11). Tony's Trail never disappoints, but there are other short, secluded trails off the main ones.

Another I like is a short N-S between the El Camino del Mar and Coastal/Lands End Trail. Could've easily continued down to the Coastal Trail if I'd wanted to. There's excellent shelter for birds and other critters, perfectly walkable for those who seek out wilder, offshoot trails (pics 12, 13).

The longest stairway in the park is down to Mile Rock Beach from the main Lands End Trail, with 272 or so steps (14th pic).

A little further along the main trail is the "Painted Rock" stairway (15th pic), about 138 to the top, then about 117 down the east side.

Before doing much of the east side, however, detoured up a short but steep trail that comes out at the golf course. Took the paved walkway here out to the end of the Legion of Honor Museum's parking lot and down the 47 steps to the El Camino del Mar, the less traveled, upper, main trail, across the wood footbridge and down the connector stairs (last two pics: 89 steps) back to the main Coastal/Lands End Trail.

1. Steps up to the lower parking lot overlook

2. Sutro Baths Ruins below

3. Sutro Baths Ruins from trail above. Cliff House in distance.

4. Sutro Baths Ruins. Louis' Restaurant center distance, Cliff House to right.

5. Up from the cavetop viewplace. Sutro Baths Upper Trail AKA west trailhead for Coastal Trail

6. Sutro Baths Upper Trail continues up

7. Sutro Baths Upper Trail

8. Sutro Baths Upper Trail

9. First Coastal Trail overlook up to upper parking lot overlook

10. Fort Miley Ruins and first flight of steps to "Tony's Trail"

11. Sand, roots and berries. "Tony's Trail" down to El Camino del Mar Trail

12. Between El Camino del Mar and main Lands End/Coastal Trails

13. Between El Camino del Mar and main Lands End/Coastal Trails

14. Mile Rock Beach stairway

15. "Painted Rock" stairway, Coastal/Lands End Trail

16. Connecting El Camino del Mar Trail with Coastal Trail

17. Connecting El Camino del Mar with Lands End main Trail

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Slickenslide

6/20/2013

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Buena Vista Park's northside entrance is just east of Central off Haight. There are paved trails, numerous older wood stairways of varying lengths, and an old stone flight. A walkway circles the park just above the street.

Up from the north side soon came to my first flight of older stairs: 20-something to a playground and another main paved trail. A few yards over another stairway continued up. Didn't include the first flight with the second, longer one, but this could be considered one continuous stairway as the flights connect well. Started counting at this second flight for 152 older wood steps (first pic).

So a nice long one to the summit area, the viewbench below. Climbed a little higher for the stone stairway (41 steps, second pic) up to the summit view-lawn.

Down from the summit on the southwest side, not counting some other stairs on the way, including a few that were more like obstacles to step around or over than steps to help you up (third pic).

The main south stairway (171 steps, fourth pic), with its boardwalks and improved trails crossing the stairs E-W across the south slope, starts from a paved upper trail and descends to Buena Vista East. There are plenty of places to sit on your way up or down. It got a huge remake several years ago, including lots of new plantings.

Corona Heights Park is a few blocks south from Buena Vista Park, but not a direct route from the foot of the main stairway. Headed east on Buena Vista East, then downhill on Park Hill to Roosevelt where 15th begins, near Corona's north tennis courts. This was to check out the new "Challenging" trail I'd noticed on the trail infosign at the foot of the long eastside stairway (fifth pic) during a previous hike.

The map included the words "the Slickenside." From "Your Dictionary" online: "Geol. a smooth, polished rock surface produced by friction, pressure, or cleavage." Learn something new every day. So they're describing this side of the park geologically, not naming the trail itself.

It can be seen on Google Maps: "New Corona Heights Trail." There's a sidewalk at the side of the tennis courts; at the end you can't miss the new trail. You'll see some steps to start, and one of those green universal hiker signs indicating "Summit" (sixth pic).

I think if they ever start naming Corona's trails, they should call this one "the SlickensLide." It's switchbacked, narrow, steepish, and on the non-stairway parts of the trail some slippery dirt and rocks. Counted 42 steps, regular wood and a set of log ones, including a couple of rocks at perfect spots on the trail to be considered steps (pics 7 through 11).

It comes out between the dog play area and the lone bench at the top of the long eastside stairway. Up here is another of those hiking trail signs that depict a stick figure with backpack/walking stick (pics 12, 13, 14). Yep, I'd definitely call this one "Challenging."

Down the 130 steps on the east side (pics 15, 16, 17) to its foot to then continue down the steepish east trail to exit the park, the top of De Forest (18 steps) across the street (last pic). There's a colorful little garden at the dead-end guardrail at the end of Flint where De Forest starts. De Forest conveniently takes the walker down to Beaver from the park instead of having to go around to 16th St. At the foot of the narrow, enclosed stairs, it's a steep block down to Castro.

1. 152 steps to summit from here, Buena Vista Park

2. Top of stone stairway to summit lawn

3. Old steps near summit

4. Main south stairway, Buena Vista Park

5. Park infomap at foot of east stairway, Corona Heights Park

6. Foot of new trail up the north slope, Corona Heights Park

7. Corona's new trail

8. New trail, Corona Heights Park

9. Rocks as steps

10. Continuing up

11. Nearly to the top

12. Top of the new trail

13. Top of the new trail

14. New trail below

15. Upper bench at top of long eastside stairway

16. East stairway

17. Lower bench on the east stairway

18. Top of De Forest steps, Flint to Beaver

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Old Trail Still Unmolested

6/6/2013

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Started out at 12th Ave. to circle the Presidio's Mountain Lake where a few ripe berries were found (yep, blackberry season's officially started), then up the 103 or so Marine Cemetery Vista steps (first pic). "Home is the sailor, home from the sea" is etched on the plaque between the overlook's benches.

Yeah, same old route oft remarked upon, but all excellent hiking trails and long stairways that get me out in the fresh air for a good workout.

Out to Battery Caulfield Rd. and up to Immigrant Point Overlook to take the Connector Trail (208 steps, pics 2, 3, 4) down to Lincoln. Down the trail that leads to Battery Crosby, sometimes new graffiti adorning the battery for us all to view.

Some park trails are really summer-dry now, but not this trail and the entire Batteries to Bluffs Trail. Wildflowers and greenery all over, with damselflies, bees, birds, and a ladybug spotted as I meandered along. Found the earliest berries of the season on the BTB (pics 5 through 14), 473-ish steps. Especially loved the wild radish flowers leaning over the stairway as I started down the west side.

Strong winds up here as I continued east from the BTB along the Coastal Trail next to the cliffedge (pics 15, 16), with pic 17 taken near Golden Gate Overlook.

Over to the Fort Scott neighborhood, grateful for the crosswalks here as lots of vehicle traffic in the area as usual.

Next to the old steepled wood church starts a short trail where a few years ago found some ripe berries as late as October. Pleasantly surprised this year to find the trail still unspoiled and secluded, with unmolested old trees, wild roses, bees, and tall blackberry bushes lining it between me and Fort Scott. On the other side of the trail is a busy highway. Ahhh -- here we have another "hidden" Tony's Trail. After several times this year have only seen one person 'sides me on it, a jogger.

This sun-dappled beauty (pics 18, 19) curls around to come out at the Log Cabin (available to rent for events) with a pleasing view of downtown and Fort Scott residences at this end. Very short, but such a difference when compared to walking along a main street. I fervently hope this trail is left as is. Hoping park people won't get too carried away and overly "manicure" and widen all the trails; please leave some of 'em on the "wild" side!

The equally short trail directly across from it, on the north side of the aforementioned highway, its trailhead across the street from the Golden Gate Overlook's main stairway, has already been given a noticeable overhaul with tree-thinning and blackberry bushes and other plants uprooted and pushed back. There's a striking difference now between these two trails that are separated by the endless vehicles below, with stacked wood from the downed trees, bare dirt, and plants cut back so this northernmost one isn't as comforting and cozy as before.

But they did leave some blackberry bushes and other plants at the trailhead and it's still a walkers' trail between the forbidding traffic below and the other vehicle street. Definitely beats walking on a sidewalk or at the side of a street. I read someplace that car usage is down lately -- but apparently not in this park, especially on weekends or holidays.

1. Marine Cemetery Vista steps up from 14th Ave./Mountain Lake Trail

2. Connector Trail down to Lincoln from Immigrant Point Overlook

3. Connector Trail's bench. Lincoln below. Sand Ladder to the left.

4. View of Lands End in distance from the Connector Trail

5. West trailhead for Batteries to Bluffs at Battery Crosby

6. Down amongst the wild radishes

7. Curving down the west side

8. Steep westside steps up to Battery Crosby

9. Midtrail-ish

10. Midtrail, Batteries to Bluffs

11. Batteries to Bluffs Trail, 0.7 mile

12. Batteries to Bluffs = Beauty

13. Nearly up to View Point overlook and the bench

14. Up to the east trailhead, Batteries to Bluffs Trail

15. Coastal Trail between Batteries to Bluffs and Golden Gate Overlook

16. Windy Coastal Trail at the cliffedge

17. Near Golden Gate Overlook

18. "Tony's Trail" with Golden Gate Bridge in distance

19. "Tony's Trail" coming out to Log Cabin. Highway below, Fort Scott to right.

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Mount Olympus to Corona Heights

6/4/2013

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It's a steep trek up 17th Street to tiny Mount Olympus Park from the Eureka Valley/Castro Metro stop. Was reminded of my too-long absence by a couple of Facebook posts about recent hikes up here.

Thought if the #37 Corbett/Twin Peaks bus was coming within a few minutes I'd take it partway up, but "16 minutes" on the readout persuaded me to hoof it.

Monument stairway, its foot at 17th, is nearly up to Clayton, just past the corner grocery (first pic: 17th & Roosevelt) and the "17% grade" sign. Wish all the steeper streets had this kind of grade infosign; is this the only one of its kind in the city? The 82 concrete steps ascend to Upper Terrace (pics 2, 3, 4).

Continued to the park on "Back Alley Way" (fifth pic). Never knew the name of this before Google Maps (no street sign). At the end is the east-facing railed view-walk. Across is the little park, 30 steps to the top layer, concrete benches on all sides (pics 6, 7). The west side has a view through the trees to Mount Sutro. Other good views include Tank Hill and Twin Peaks.

Some pix of the Triumph of Light statue in 1947, 1950, and 1955, still intact back then, courtesy of FoundSF:

http://www.foundsf.org

http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Mt._Olympus

On the way down, another stairway (88 steps, eighth pic) across from the park (east side) will take you to (again) Upper Terrace (pic 9). Upper Terrace is another of those streets that curves around. When on Stanyan and Edgewood Ave. to/from hikes on that side of Mount Sutro, I never fail to admire Mount Oly from a distance. The Ashbury Heights neighborhood is also close to parks Buena Vista and Corona Heights.

From the foot of these stairs at (lower) Upper Terrace continued north to Clifford Terrace and down this steep street to Roosevelt. Across the street is a stairway that descends from Roosevelt to Lower Terrace (pics 10, 11). Had I wanted to go down Vulcan Stairway, this would've be a good one to take. Instead counted the stairs down (42) and back up to continue on Roosevelt.

Roosevelt curves to the east and continues past the top of Masonic and the top of the Roosevelt-to-States/Levant stairs (pic 12), a short distance from Corona Heights Park's west entrance at Museum Way & Roosevelt.

The park's main west stairway has around 99 steps (pic 13). 14th pic: The rocky summit area. This time turned right partway up to follow a shorter stairway (61 steps) and trail around the south side (15th, 16th pics). Twenty more steps will take you to the upper bench at the top of the main eastside steps (17th pic). This long one (130 steps, pics 18, 19) is wood, steep and uneven. At the foot there's now another of those newer park trail infosigns.

The foot of the stairs is near the Randall nature museum's east entrance, so passed through the animal room to murmur a greeting to the quails, chickens, and ravens, and out the front door to see if the steep switchbacked ramp (down to the park's playground, community garden, and tennis courts) had reopened. It's walkable again, the new restroom building down there completed. So to the States St. entrance via the ramp and continuing downhill to Castro where the #24 Divisadero runs.

1. 17th & Roosevelt

2. Foot of Monument stairway to Upper Terrace

3. Monument steps to Upper Terrace

4. Monument stairway to Upper Terrace

5. Back Alley Way to Mount Olympus Park

6. Mount Olympus Park steps

7. Mount Olympus Park today

8. Doorway art off the east stairway

9. East stairway from Mount Olympus Park to Upper Terrace

10. Clifford Terr. & Roosevelt down to Lower Terrace

11. Clifford Terrace & Roosevelt down to Lower Terrace

12. Roosevelt to States/Levant

13. Main westside steps, Corona Heights Park

14. Summit rocks area

15. South trail below summit rocks

16. Steps around the south side

17. Down to main eastside stairway

18. Down the main eastside steps

19. Eastside stairs

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Amazing Transformation

6/2/2013

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The #36 Teresita bus stops at Mount Davidson Park's main south entrance at Dalewood. Love this trail up. Butterflies, bees, birds, beauty!

Ascended the short north stairway (22 steps, first foto) to the top of the openspace area (pics 2, 3). Another short stairway descends to a trail on the east side. Enjoyed the view-of-the-whole-world openspace, then onto a trail that starts down near the iconic cross (pics 4, 5).

Meandered downhill through the forest that comes out at steep Dalewood on the mountain's west side (pic 6).

From Dalewood, downhilled a few blocks to the north, then uphill on Lansdale for the top of the Bengal Street Park, now a gorgeous greenway-stairway-minipark (109 steps). Some old stone steps (7th pic) descend from the attractive gate at the top. Partway down starts the newer part. There's a built-in wood bench alongside the stairs and lots of planters. The chainlink fence that used to be at the foot is finally gone.

This whole transformation is amazing, with a lot more plants having been added since my last visit in February, and they're doing beautifully (pics 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). This magical makeover should win numerous awards and writeups as one of the most uniquely awesome renovations ever. A must-see, especially if you remember how it used to look when the stairway was nearly buried and fenced off. Renovation started in 2009. See:

http://bengalalley.org

and

http://www.westsideobserver.com/news/bengal.html

And here are two THEN pics, 14 and 15, from 2005: Compare these with the way it looks now.

It's conveniently located on the #43 bus line; the stop is right there at the stairway's foot on Miraloma. While waiting on the bus had several minutes to take a few from down here (pics 16, 17, 18).