From the lower Lands End Overlook (first pic), up the usual 41 and 22 steps ascended the last time I hiked this park, the latter steps to the short trail above the Fort Miley ruins.
For the first time saw someone else here: an older dude who appeared seriously drunk, wobbling about under a tree not far away. Homeless? Or maybe a resident of the nearby VA Hospital?
Slid in the sand to the El Camino del Mar Trail, then, scanning the sides for berries, about halfway down the stairway that connects the upper El Camino del Mar with the main Coastal Trail (Lands End Trail). Back up again and onto the footbridge (second pic), then up the higher stairway (about 48 steps) that comes out at the west side of the parking lot for the Legion of Honor Museum, above the golf course (next four pics). There's a yellow auto barrier between the west end of the parking lot and the top of this stairway.
Started walking east through the parking lot where a few yards ahead saw a coyote emerge from the golf course area, out between a couple of parked cars. In profile for an instant, he (or she-I wasn't that close!) paused to look around then quickly disappeared between two more cars and up the forested south slope where there's an openspace and trail behind the Legion of Honor (seventh pic). This was just before the trailhead (10 steps: eighth pic) for the Battle of the Bulge Trail that ascends to the VA Hospital parking lot. Unfortunately I've got the reflexes of a banana slug so didn't get a pic, but for sure this very skinny little guy was no off-leash ordinary pooch momentarily separated from his human.
Walked very slowly, camera in hand, gazing up the slope, stopping at times, but noted no further sign of life. He probably felt like I sometimes do: "Far too many humans around here." I'm a midday hiker, not early a.m. or dusk, which is no doubt why I see few wild things other than birds, bees, butterflies and other flying daytime critters.
Continuing past the Legion of Honor, now on a sidewalk, past a few painters standing at easels, a "Coyote Alert" sign, and a couple of rangers on horseback heading the opposite way.
Got home to find a Presidio E-News containing info about the ongoing Mountain Lake animal relocation. Quoting the first part. For more, see:
http://www.presidio.gov/about/Pages/mountain-lake-remediation.aspx
"The decade-long effort to enhance one of the last natural lakes in the city is taking a big step forward. Later this month work begins to shore up the lake so that it can be cleaned and deepened beginning in fall 2012 … As a first step, non-native red-eared slider turtles … one-time household pets abandoned in the lake by their former owners, are being adopted by Sonoma County vineyards. Twenty-eight turtles and several species of fish have already been saved and relocated, allowing for the possible introduction of native species in the future. Next year, through a grant from the San Francisco International Airport, work will begin to enhance the East Arm of Mountain Lake."
For the first time saw someone else here: an older dude who appeared seriously drunk, wobbling about under a tree not far away. Homeless? Or maybe a resident of the nearby VA Hospital?
Slid in the sand to the El Camino del Mar Trail, then, scanning the sides for berries, about halfway down the stairway that connects the upper El Camino del Mar with the main Coastal Trail (Lands End Trail). Back up again and onto the footbridge (second pic), then up the higher stairway (about 48 steps) that comes out at the west side of the parking lot for the Legion of Honor Museum, above the golf course (next four pics). There's a yellow auto barrier between the west end of the parking lot and the top of this stairway.
Started walking east through the parking lot where a few yards ahead saw a coyote emerge from the golf course area, out between a couple of parked cars. In profile for an instant, he (or she-I wasn't that close!) paused to look around then quickly disappeared between two more cars and up the forested south slope where there's an openspace and trail behind the Legion of Honor (seventh pic). This was just before the trailhead (10 steps: eighth pic) for the Battle of the Bulge Trail that ascends to the VA Hospital parking lot. Unfortunately I've got the reflexes of a banana slug so didn't get a pic, but for sure this very skinny little guy was no off-leash ordinary pooch momentarily separated from his human.
Walked very slowly, camera in hand, gazing up the slope, stopping at times, but noted no further sign of life. He probably felt like I sometimes do: "Far too many humans around here." I'm a midday hiker, not early a.m. or dusk, which is no doubt why I see few wild things other than birds, bees, butterflies and other flying daytime critters.
Continuing past the Legion of Honor, now on a sidewalk, past a few painters standing at easels, a "Coyote Alert" sign, and a couple of rangers on horseback heading the opposite way.
Got home to find a Presidio E-News containing info about the ongoing Mountain Lake animal relocation. Quoting the first part. For more, see:
http://www.presidio.gov/about/Pages/mountain-lake-remediation.aspx
"The decade-long effort to enhance one of the last natural lakes in the city is taking a big step forward. Later this month work begins to shore up the lake so that it can be cleaned and deepened beginning in fall 2012 … As a first step, non-native red-eared slider turtles … one-time household pets abandoned in the lake by their former owners, are being adopted by Sonoma County vineyards. Twenty-eight turtles and several species of fish have already been saved and relocated, allowing for the possible introduction of native species in the future. Next year, through a grant from the San Francisco International Airport, work will begin to enhance the East Arm of Mountain Lake."
Sutro Baths Ruins below
El Camino del Mar Trail footbridge
Steps from El Camino del Mar to Legion of Honor Parking Lot
Top of the higher stairway to parking lot
Top of higher stairway to parking lot
Trail sign at top of higher stairway
Trail behind the Legion of Honor
Lower trailhead for Battle of the Bulge Trail
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