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At the Summit:
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Sutro Baths Legacy Project, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Trail maintenance at the Sutro Baths Legacy Project.
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by Karen Tigges and Michael Woffenden
A group of about 30 set out on a cloudy, but very pretty day by bus from the Moscone Center, headed for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Once we arrived, the larger group divided into two groups of about 15 each. History of The Area Lands End is the rockiest corner of San Francisco - a corner strewn with shipwrecks and a history of landslides. We worked in an area of Lands End known as the Sutro District. Lands End became a recreation destination with the first road to the Cliff House in 1864. As many as 25,000 people could enjoy Sutro Baths at the same time, swimming, watching diving contests and races, listening to live music, and exploring exotic artifacts from around the world. The remains of Adolph Sutro’s enormous swim palace are clearly visible and still haunt the cove. The Work Begins As we began our work session, our friendly and knowledgeable NPS guide spent about 15 minutes giving an overview of the two projects we would be working on that morning. The first group started working on the hillside and stairs, removing the non-native vegetation (ice plant) from the hillside area. The work of this team is part of a multi-year plan by the National Parks Service to restore the native vegetation and ecology of a 1-mile stretch of coastline. Our capable guide carefully instructed the first group on how to best remove the plants. The second group's job was to maintain and enhance the Sutro Baths Trail, which runs from the Cliff House down to the Sutro Bath ruins. Basically this entailed two phases: first removing several feet of brush and overgrown vegetation, and second digging a 1 foot wide drainage ditch along the steep walkway. NPS supplied us with excellent guidance, a large variety of tools, work gloves, as well as ample water and snacks. About 1/2 way through he morning we took a break to enjoy some of the incredible beauty of the area and get some great pictures. A Delightful Morning Our bus ride back was filled with upbeat chatter as we enjoyed our new found friends and the satisfaction of a job well done. We also were energized physically, emotionally and spiritually, having done our part to leave a legacy in this beautiful region of the country -- 09/08/2005 Thu |
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