Part of Fort Funston’s main trail was undergoing construction during a recent hike, being widened and lined with rocks. Detoured thru sand and over iceplant. First four pix.
My own first choice would be to add some additional steps from the cliff edge (steepish here) near the hang glider landing area down to where the present steps begin, like they did with Glen Canyon down from Christopher Park. And then extend the present steps from the end so the stairs go all the way down to the beach. I’d leave the log steps as they presently are though.
And remove that fencing (pic 5) that one has to duck under if coming into the park from the north side. Why not acknowledge these perfectly walkable and well-worn duney-trails? The GGNRA and I have different priorities. Up to the main part of the park: 6 thru 10.
The bus and L-Taraval Metro stop at the front of the zoo, leaving a (seemingly) mile or so south I must walk (just above Ocean Beach) to get to the main part of Fort Funston. Why didn’t MUNI think to provide a bus stop at the park’s front entrance (east side, foot) where a little way up starts the other stairway (partially covered with sand, leading to the fountain with the doggy water dishes): 11, 12.
The hang gliding deck has been improved upon since my last visit. New wood deck and fencing with several new wood benches: 13 thru 17.
One guy was up when I was there, the windsock being sometimes straight out and sometimes just a tad below (18 thru 21). But when heading back to the Metro stop, the wind came up, stinging my face and neck with fine sand.
Now for the log stairway partway down to the beach: 160 steps. You may get a different staircount each time as, like the Presidio’s Sand Ladder (around 250), sand will be covering most or part of the steep, uneven log steps: 22 thru 39, down and back up again.
Back to the Metro stop again at Wawona & 46th Avenue, last five.
My own first choice would be to add some additional steps from the cliff edge (steepish here) near the hang glider landing area down to where the present steps begin, like they did with Glen Canyon down from Christopher Park. And then extend the present steps from the end so the stairs go all the way down to the beach. I’d leave the log steps as they presently are though.
And remove that fencing (pic 5) that one has to duck under if coming into the park from the north side. Why not acknowledge these perfectly walkable and well-worn duney-trails? The GGNRA and I have different priorities. Up to the main part of the park: 6 thru 10.
The bus and L-Taraval Metro stop at the front of the zoo, leaving a (seemingly) mile or so south I must walk (just above Ocean Beach) to get to the main part of Fort Funston. Why didn’t MUNI think to provide a bus stop at the park’s front entrance (east side, foot) where a little way up starts the other stairway (partially covered with sand, leading to the fountain with the doggy water dishes): 11, 12.
The hang gliding deck has been improved upon since my last visit. New wood deck and fencing with several new wood benches: 13 thru 17.
One guy was up when I was there, the windsock being sometimes straight out and sometimes just a tad below (18 thru 21). But when heading back to the Metro stop, the wind came up, stinging my face and neck with fine sand.
Now for the log stairway partway down to the beach: 160 steps. You may get a different staircount each time as, like the Presidio’s Sand Ladder (around 250), sand will be covering most or part of the steep, uneven log steps: 22 thru 39, down and back up again.
Back to the Metro stop again at Wawona & 46th Avenue, last five.
1. Main trail closure
2. Temporary detour
3. What hazardous conditions? I never noticed any.
4. Supposed to reopen late September
5. Fence I duck under
6. Starting up from the north side
7. Human and dog tracks
8. Lake Merced in distance
9. Safe from traffic up here
10. Bits of old wood fencing
11. Sand-covered steps on the east side
12. Mount Davidson center, top
13. New benches and deck
14. More new benches
15. Hang glider launch area
16. A view down
17. Hangin' on the hang glider deck
18. Waiting to fly
19. Hang glider parking only
20. The windsock
21. Good place for lunch
22. At first there are no steps
23. Top of the stairs
24. About 160 steps
25. Gorgeous view
26. Popular with dogs and their humans
27. Looking back up
28. An excellent workout
29. The steps don't extend all the way down to the beach
30. Curvy and steep
31. Lone glider as seen from the stairway
32. Foot of the stairs
33. Foot of the stairs
34. Starting back up again
35. This isn't the only trail you can take - just the only stairway
36. Steps are similar to the Presidio's Sand Ladder
37. Steeply back up to the top
38. One of the best views ever
39. To the right is the hang glider landing area
40. Heading back now
41. Natural beauty
42. Love this old bench
43. Looking back to Lake Merced
44. North thru the thick sand
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