Stairways are Heaven
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Peixotto and the Slickenside

10/20/2014

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At the north dead-end of Douglass (first pic, a few steps and walkway over to Ord and the Vulcan and Saturn stairs) are 37 steps to States St. (pic 2), dividing Eureka Valley from the Corona Heights neighborhood. An eye-candy house favorite of mine is directly across from the top of the stairs, pic 3. 

Started up the ramp from States into Corona Heights Park. How come the men’s room at the rampside playground was locked in the middle of the day?

Leaving the park on the east side, through the Randall Museum’s animal-rescue room and down to the street, passing the foot of the main stairway (130 steps, pic 4) with the trailhead infosign.

Ranting yet again, I have difficulty understanding the priorities of the park people. As mentioned some months ago, the steepish potholed trail here still needs work in places. It’s steep enough for some steps and railings. Pix 5, 6. 

Down the De Forest steps to 15th. 

Am drawn to the words “hidden” and “secret” when applied to trails, urban miniparks and the like, so when a friend mentioned a writeup of Peixotto Park at 15th & Beaver, realized I was familiar with the area but hadn't seen the playground the writer spoke of. The tennis courts at the north foot of Corona Heights Park are very noticeable; was also familiar with the part-stairs, part-narrow dirt trail on the west side of the courts that climbs into the upper part of the park near the summit rocks. 

It’s true one can’t see the playground from 15th. So entered thru the main gate on the east side of the courts. Another entrance was blocked with some of those orange flexifences when I'd started into the park from that side. The Rocky Mountain (Parent) Participation Nursery School’s Peixotto Clubhouse is here (pic 7). 
Benches and a small playground here.

The most interesting thing about the little park to me was the sheer wall of rock (pic 8) on the north side of the park, difficult to see from the street.  A narrow enclosed pathway led from the playground, behind the fenced tennis courts, directly to the foot of the Slickenside Trail, pic 9, short, winding, and popular. Three other people, two with dogs, passed me descending as I was hiking up, this on a weekday.  

This is narrow and winding trail, hiker logo-signs at either end, with about 42 steps, including a few actual rocks as steps and some logs. Seems it could be improved upon to make it less loose-rock-slidey, however, especially when descending: 10 thru 14. As I was ascending, someone coming down even mentioned the slipperiness. 

After emerging at the top of the Slickenside, continued down to the Roosevelt park exit past the fenced dog play area. From here it's only a few blocks north to Buena Vista Park and its main south entrance. This whole southside was beautifully upgraded several years ago. 

The main trailhead here is a stairway with 171 steps up past wooden walkways (pix 15 thru 19). leading nearly to the summit where there’s a grassy little openspace. 


Last pic: an older stairway on the north side before exiting the park at Haight near Central. 


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1. North dead-end of Douglass. Left to Ord, Vulcan and Saturn.
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2. Up to States St. in Corona Heights
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3. Top of the stairs at States St.
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4. Foot of the main park stairway, 130 steps.
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5. Fix this trail in Corona Heights Park!
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6. Eastside trail repair needed in the park
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7. Rocky Mountain Participation Nursery School clubhouse in Peixotto Park
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8. Sheer wall of rock
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9. Trail up the north side of Corona Heights Park
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10. Nearing the top
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11. Rocks and dirt where there are no steps
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12. Buena Vista Park upper right side
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13. Trailtop
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14. Downtown SF in distance
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15. 171 steps for Buena Vista Park's main southside stairway
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16. Walkways east and west alongside the stairs
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17. Shady wood walk on the south slope
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18. You can sit and rest on your way up
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19. Top of the main stairway
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20. Older steps on the north side
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    I like meandering around on San Francisco's park trails and public stairways, sometimes taking photos, and enjoying nature and the outdoors.

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