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Volunteer Current Projects Maps & Publications |
Mt. Sutro Open Space PreserveThe Mt. Sutro Open Space Reserve is a little-known 61 acre natural area overlooking the UCSF Medical Center in the heart of San Francisco. Its steep slopes are dominated by dense eucalyptus forest and tangled ivy and blackberry, which all but hide the city views and urban bustle. Which is, perhaps, what Adolph Sutro had in mind when he planted this forest more than a century ago! But surprisingly, parts of this forest still harbor diverse native plants, including elderbery, mugwort, soaproot, osoberry, ferns, rare pipevine and fairy bells, and even a little poison oak. A native plant garden on the summit, formerly an overgrown Nike radar site, has become a favorite destination for students, neighbors, birds, and butterflies. Local volunteers are working with the University to link Mount Sutro's scattered trails into a comprehensive network. The first new link was the North Ridge Trail, which the Trail Center built in 2003-2004. We also rebuilt part of the Mystery Trail, opening up several enjoyable loops between Medical Center Drive and the summit. In Fall 2006, the Trail Center returned to Mount Sutro to restore the Historic Trail. This scenic trail was probably built in the late 1800's and was all but forgotten for over half a century until it was rediscovered last year. Under all the brambles we found a wide, scenic trail with easy grades and rustic stone retaining walls. Our task of restoring this trail to like-new condition and to provide a major hiking route around the western perimeter of the Reserve was completed in March, 2007. UCSF's August 2006 newsletter has a feature article about Mt. Sutro at http://medschool.ucsf.edu/. A map of existing trails and Woods Lot is posted at http://www.peasepress.com/sutromap.pdf. Location: UCSF, Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, San Francisco, California - West Side Trail Directions: From 19th Avenue/Highway 1: Go east 1 mile on Judah St., which continues as Parnassus St. (east of 4th Ave.). At the east end of the Medical Center campus, turn south (right) up Medical Center Way, which ascends into Sutro Forest. After a sharp turn and a long switchback comes a T intersection. Ignore the first driveway descending left to the Surge Building, but take the next left, just before the wooden bus shelter, into the Woods Parking Lot (signed Woods Building, 100 Medical Center Way). We will have special permission to park there on trail days. From US 101: Take US 101 Central Expressway all the way to end at to Market Street; continue straight (north) on Octavia Blvd. to Fell; then left (west) to Stanyan. Nearing Golden Gate Park (after Masonic) be in right lane, exit straight to Stanyan (left 3 lanes go into Golden Gate Park). Turn south (left) on Stanyan to Parnassus; right on Parnassus, left on Medical Center Way (continued above). Alternate Access from South Side: From Judah St., go south on 7th Ave., which becomes Laguna Honda Blvd.. Turn left (east) on Clarendon St. to just past the top of the hill. Turn north (left) on Johnstone Drive into UCSF Aldea Housing. After two blocks, turn right on Upper Medical Center Way. After 1/4 mile or so, Woods Lot is your first right turn, just after wooden bus shelter. *UCSF occasionally closes Lower Medical Center Way for an ongoing construction project, hence these directions (which we'll post at Parnassus St. if needed). Agency: UCSF - Orlando Elizondo, Manager Supervisor: Scott Heeschen Project Lead: Ben Pease, (415) 387-1437, and Craig Dawson, (415) 665-1077 Additional Information: Participants should bring two bottles of water, some energy snacks, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday. Please arrive by 8:30 am for safety talks and crew assignments. We normally work until 3:00 pm and have lunch on the trail.
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