Second day in a row hiking McLaren, this time had in mind a certain openspace trail that descends to Lake McNab and Louis Sutter Playground. This is a delightfully switchbacked, hardpacked dirt trail I accessed after again descending from the east (Portola) side of the park near University and Mansell. A highly recommended trail, my favorite of the day (first four pics), at the foot of which is Lake McNab (fifth pic). Treated to even more bees and butterflies today than yesterday.
Around to the northwest side of the lake and up again, but on a slightly lower trail this time (sixth pic), coming out at a regular street sign for 500 John F. Shelley at Cambridge (still just above the Portola 'hood) with another of those new park trailsigns seen (seventh pic). Crossed and continued trailing west just above Wayland.
Soon reached a picnic area and headed up the glorious forest trail here, just slightly more to the north than yesterday's hike, again taking me up to the east side of the reservoir. There was this gorgeous white egret (eighth pic) near the fence but a barking dog made it nervous and off it flew.
Uphill to the south (ninth pic) a short distance took me to a trail I was on yesterday, above the north side of Mansell (10th pic). Finally descended to the #29 bus stop at Brazil and Mansell, west (Excelsior) edge of the park, gazing over at San Bruno Mountain's north face with all the still-green slopes between the residential streets up there (11th pic).
Around to the northwest side of the lake and up again, but on a slightly lower trail this time (sixth pic), coming out at a regular street sign for 500 John F. Shelley at Cambridge (still just above the Portola 'hood) with another of those new park trailsigns seen (seventh pic). Crossed and continued trailing west just above Wayland.
Soon reached a picnic area and headed up the glorious forest trail here, just slightly more to the north than yesterday's hike, again taking me up to the east side of the reservoir. There was this gorgeous white egret (eighth pic) near the fence but a barking dog made it nervous and off it flew.
Uphill to the south (ninth pic) a short distance took me to a trail I was on yesterday, above the north side of Mansell (10th pic). Finally descended to the #29 bus stop at Brazil and Mansell, west (Excelsior) edge of the park, gazing over at San Bruno Mountain's north face with all the still-green slopes between the residential streets up there (11th pic).
1. Bernal Heights from McLaren's east side
2. Downhill openspace trail
3. Switchbacked trail down to Lake McNab
4. Down to Lake McNab
5. Lake McNab
6. One of the park's rustic footbridges
7. One of the park infosigns
8. Upper Reservoir
9. Westside trails. Excelsior 'hood below.
10. Bench on a forest trail near Brazil, above Mansell
11. San Bruno Mountain from Brazil & Mansell
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