Presidio (East Side) 2016-03-17

A picture perfect spring like day set the backdrop for our second visit to Presidio, this time focusing on the east side of the national park, a marked contrast to our previous visit in January that was on a chill and foggy day. We parked in the Presidio Golf course parking lot (Arguello Blvd & W Pacific Ave) which offers complimentary parking for 3 hours. 

The Spire

My daughter joined Apollo and me in this hike. We started off hiking westward by the Bay Area Ridge trail. Right off the bat, you will come across an impressive structure - The Spire by Andy Goldsworthy. Rising above 90 feet, the structure was crafted from the trunks of 37 Monterey cypress trees felled in Presidio as part of its reforestation efforts in 2008. 

We also had young Ethan and his dad, visiting bay area from Nebraska join us here for couple of miles. Apollo motivated Ethan to keep walking as the Ridge trail made its way through tall trees, bordering the golf course on one side. By the time we reached the National Cemetery overlook, Ethan had become mighty comfortable with Apollo and it was hard to keep him away from Apollo! 

We had walked the stretch between Ridge trail and Presidio Promenade by Park trail during our previous hike, albeit in the other direction. The view from the Cemetery overlook was crisp, reflecting the spring like weather. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and Golden Gate bridge looked fabulous.

From the overlook, we continued by Park trail and reached the Presidio Promenade. We turned to our right, walking by the paved black top trail that runs parallel to Hwy 101 and the pacific ocean on the left. The Promenade curves around National Cemetery and passes by the front entrance to the facility. You nearly get to walk on top of Hwy 101 as it makes its way through a tunnel with Crissy field and Golden Gate to the left. 

We turned right at Anza Esplanade that goes by the parade grounds, making our way to Pershing Square and the Main Post of Presidio. The post is rich in history dating from the Spanish bastion days of 1776. Today, the place is surrounded by a school, a dance theater, a chapel and an inn. Young Ethan and his dad bade us goodbye here, giving relief to my daughter who had to walk not just Apollo but Ethan :)

Inspiration Pt Overlook

From the Main Post, we took the sidewalk on Arguello Blvd to reach Inspiration Point overlook. With lush greenery at your footsteps, the overlook also offers an impressive view of Alcatraz island and beyond. We were quite close to our starting point, but we were eager to continue hiking further. Taking a flight of steps from here, we connected to the Ecology trail, turning left and making our way back up into the park.

Lover's Lane

There were several young school kids out and about the Ecology trail, learning about the environment. The dirt trail brought us back close to the Main Post at the intersection of Moraga & Funston. We made our way to the beginning of Lover's Lane, a narrow well laid paved trail that goes directly to the southeast corner of Presidio. 

Turning right, we took Mountain Lake trail that runs parallel to W Pacific Ave, going past Julius Kahn park to Arguello Gate and the Golf course parking lot.

We essentially covered rest of Presidio today in our 5 mile hike today. The park is well directed, but feel free to print this map if you would like a printed copy before heading out. The trails we covered today are highlighted in turquoise.

More pictures from our hike.
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