El Polin Spring

2/23/2012

The El Polin Spring area is open again after many months of landfill removal and restoration work.

Started down from Presidio Blvd. at the Lover’s Lane south trailhead for a view of the valley below from the east side. Numerous straw wattles and plantings on the hillsides are in evidence (first pic).

Continuing around to the west side, was delighted to discover a new wood stairway with 69 steps (second foto) that descends to the picnic area.

The old south stairway down to the willow tree that I used to take (below Julius Kahn Playground) is still there (third photo - showing new trail and boardwalk) with a trailsign now at its foot.

Tennessee Hollow, 270 acres, is the park’s largest watershed. Three hundred feet of creek that had long ago been buried underground in pipes has been “daylighted.” Water is flowing out in the open down the restored cobblestone creek channel and there are also four ponds in the area.

The old paved road has been transformed into a boardwalk and trail with picnic tables and rustic wood benches. There’s parking at the south end of the residential area.

You’ll notice attractive interpretive signage in both English and Spanish (fourth pic – new stairway behind). The location of an adobe house lived in more than 200 years ago by the Miramontes and Briones families is marked and you’ll also see a terra-cotta tile basin artifact displayed that was unearthed by workers.

A new restroom building replaces the old porta-potty, but the doors were locked. I’m thinking maybe they intend to unlock the doors only for special occasions, like at Rob Hill Campground.

Climbed back up the new stairway to the Ecology Trail, continuing through a short section of forest, curving round and up the 45 wood steps (fifth pic) to the parking area at Inspiration Point Overlook. Back down again so as to take another, more secluded, trail out to the Arguello Gate instead of walking along Arguello.