Stairways are Heaven
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Stairways are Heaven

Presidio Gate to El Polin Roundtrip

3/7/2012

1 Comment

 

From the first #43 bus stop inside the park at Presidio Blvd. and Simonds Loop, today's meandering route took me down from the backs of the Sumner Loop homes, past the Lover's Lane footbridge, and up the steps to the Main Post. Before you reach the top of the steps you'll see the new hotel, Inn at the Presidio (formerly Pershing Hall).  

The 22-room hotel will be open for business on April 1. Got in to have a look around the bottom floor. OMG. I want to iive there. Especially fond of the wooden rocking chairs on the front porch. See http://www.innatthepresidio.com for pics.

Directly behind the Inn (now with an outdoor back patio) is the trailhead for the Ecology Trail (first photo). At first the trail is forested, then you're out of the forest and winding around to Inspiration Point Overlook (second pic).

Started back down from a higher point than I did last visit to the newly reopened El Polin Spring area. The trail connected with the trail I was on last time, then descended a bit more before reaching the top of the new stairway that swoops down through the forest the rest of the way into the peaceful little valley.

Third pic: an unearthed tiled basin that was used long ago to collect water. 

Last two pix: A "Then" of El Polin I took in early 2009 and a "Now" showing part of the new boardwalk that has replaced the concrete road. "My" willow tree is still there, happy with new spring buds. If you like lots of birds, trees, and nature in general, go check this place out.  

When I could finally force myself to leave, climbed the older stairway and continued trailing back towards the east to eventually reach the top of Lover's Lane at Presidio Blvd. (Presidio Gate) and downhill out of the park. 

Archaeology walking tours of El Polin are upcoming, the first on Saturday, March 31 at 11 a.m. See www.presidio.gov/calendar for details. Walks will be offered the last Saturday of each month in spring 2012: March 31, April 28, May 26, and June 30. Space is limited so they need RSVPs: archaeology@presidiotrust.gov


Picture
Ecology Trail
Picture
Ecology Trail
Picture
Unearthed tile basin that was once used to collect water
Picture
THEN: 2009, showing paved road. Willow tree and old stairway to right.
Picture
NOW: March 2012, new boardwalk
1 Comment
Michael link
3/19/2012 08:54:55 am

Cheers, and THANK YOU! This is such wonderful info about El Polin Springs. I am sharing your blog on our Tumblr account, which will end up on Twitter and Facebook, as well. Be well, and happy travels!

Michael @ Inn at the Presidio
(Thanks for the kind words)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I like meandering around on San Francisco's park trails and public stairways, sometimes taking photos, and enjoying nature and the outdoors.

    Archives

    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011


    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.