Google Maps (maps) shows Farnsworth Lane (149 steps, its foot slightly uphill from Willard, first four pix), but does not indicate that it's a trailhead into Mount Sutro Forest.
You can see the trailhead at the dead-end (88 Farnsworth on Street View), but the trail has no signage except to say you're now entering UCSF property. This is just past the swing (pic 5).
Once on it (pix 6, 7), just continue south to this short trail's dead-end and cross the Surge parking lot to access the other trails. I've done this for years.
On Medical Center Way's guardrailed walkway (8 thru 12), including a view down to the Fairy Gates Trail (pic 13), it's a vigorous uphill hike to the East Ridge Trail (pic 14) whose foot is across from the Aldea Center.
What a difference the rains have made with all the new spring leaves and muddy trails. Mere photos can't adequately describe the fresh aroma and damp bark of the trees up here.
Out at the summit (pic 15) for lunch at the benches (pic 16), then onto the North Ridge Trail, 17 thru 25, past Ishi's shrine and back down to Medical Center Way.
Crossed the parking lot once more (this time took the 47 steps down outside one of the medical buildings), then the 136 steps down to lower Medical Center Way (off Parnassus), last six pix. Partway down, a short old wood stairway climbs to the aforementioned unnamed trail behind the homes.
You can see the trailhead at the dead-end (88 Farnsworth on Street View), but the trail has no signage except to say you're now entering UCSF property. This is just past the swing (pic 5).
Once on it (pix 6, 7), just continue south to this short trail's dead-end and cross the Surge parking lot to access the other trails. I've done this for years.
On Medical Center Way's guardrailed walkway (8 thru 12), including a view down to the Fairy Gates Trail (pic 13), it's a vigorous uphill hike to the East Ridge Trail (pic 14) whose foot is across from the Aldea Center.
What a difference the rains have made with all the new spring leaves and muddy trails. Mere photos can't adequately describe the fresh aroma and damp bark of the trees up here.
Out at the summit (pic 15) for lunch at the benches (pic 16), then onto the North Ridge Trail, 17 thru 25, past Ishi's shrine and back down to Medical Center Way.
Crossed the parking lot once more (this time took the 47 steps down outside one of the medical buildings), then the 136 steps down to lower Medical Center Way (off Parnassus), last six pix. Partway down, a short old wood stairway climbs to the aforementioned unnamed trail behind the homes.
1. Foot of the 149 Farnsworth steps at Willard
2. Farnsworth Lane to Edgewood Ave.
3. Farnsworth climbs to redbricked Edgewood
4. Near top of Farnsworth steps
5. The swing at the top of the stairway
6. Trail behind the homes on Edgewood
7. Out to the parking lot
8. Down this way for the Edgewood Trail
9. Lower Historic Trail as seen from the walkway
10. Medical Center Way winds around
11. A view down from the road
12. Uphill on Medical Center Way to start up the East Ridge Trail
13. Hikers on the Fairy Gates Trail below
14. Ascending the East Ridge Trail to the summit
15. Mount Sutro's summit
16. The summit benches
17. On to the North Ridge Trail
18. North Ridge Trail starts here
19. North Ridge Trail
20. North Ridge Trail
21. Trail rock
22. Medical Center Way below
23. Curving around
24. Medical Center Way below
25. Near foot of North Ridge Trail
26. Down from the parking lot
27. Medical buildings below
28. Steps down to Medical Center Way off Parnassus Ave.
29. 136 steps
30. Near foot of stairs
31. Stairway behind the medical buildings climbs to the parking lot
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