A Visit to Angel Island

Sierra Clubbers visit Angel Island State Park, a natural and historical wonder that sits right in San Francisco Bay.
Photo by Gray Hetherington

by Gray Hetherington
OUTING

Our group set out on a cool, gray morning – a ferry bound for Angel Island. Upon arriving at the historical island, I noticed a distinctive, pleasant aroma. Our guide, Bruce Rienzo, soon explained as we began our ascent to the top, the smell was coming from the numerous eucalyptus trees around us. These trees, he explained, were a non-native species, brought in long ago for shade and lumber. 'Is there nowhere on earth anymore where there aren't non-native species surrounding us?' I thought to myself. Even on this tiny island, the ecosystem has been forever changed. At least it's been recognized, for Bruce told us the trees are scheduled for destruction to bring the original ecosystem back to life.

As we trekked up the hill, we tramped upon fallen leaves on a narrow and dusty trail. It was a well-worn trail that snaked up to Mt. Livermore (which used to be Mt. Ida until the army leveled the top, dumping dirt down the hill, to build a lookout post during its wartime presence.) Efforts have since been made for restoration of the mountain to its original elevation.

Our group rested at the top for some lunch and spectacular views of the bay area. The clouds seemed to have cleared just for this occasion and we could see for miles – the Golden Gate Bridge, Oakland, Sausalito, even a hint of San Jose.

On our way down, our group toured the abandoned army compound of Fort McDowell, which served American forces from the Spanish-American War to World War II. The various functions of this island through its long history were apparent and revealing. Especially the immigration station – which itself has a long history of an immigrant's hope for a new freedom mixed with human suffering and lost dreams. It was a very interesting tour of an American heritage site.

-- 09/08/2005 Thu
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