SF Sutro Baths/Lands End/China Beach 5 miles ~800 feet climbing
Details
This hike visits many of the points in Trip 1 of Ted Konigsmark’s Geological Trips: San Francisco and the Bay Area. Here's an AllTrails map of the hike.
We'll see interbedded shale and sandstones of the San Bruno Mountain terrane at the Cliff House and Sutro Baths, take a stroll along the wonderful cliffs of Lands End, stop for lunch at China Beach (bring food, nothing for sale there), and see a landslide near the Palace of the Legion of Honor that was caused by soft clay in the City College melange.
Our pace will be moderate, with plenty of stops to look at the geology, and no one left behind. We seem to average around 2MPH (including stops), so the hike should take three to four hours. Last time we took about four hours, although return times are not guaranteed.
- Weather forecast: It's March in SF, so light mist/rain is possible. If the night before the forecast shows a huge downpour predicted, we'll likely cancel--otherwise just be prepared to handle a drizzle.
- Kids are welcome if they can handle the five miles. If your kid poops out part-way, finding your way back on your own is easy.
- No dogs.
- Donations accepted. I'll pass around my hat at the start of the hike and suggest $2/person.
There's no RSVP limit, but we averaging 15-25 folks. No-shows are penalized, but please remember to change your RSVP if you change your plans.
Meet at Lands End Trailhead at the far end of the parking lot at the North side of Point Lobos Ave, just west of 48th St. There is a big parking lot, but if it fills up look across the street just below the main parking lot for overflow. Those on public transit can take the 38 Geary to "the end of the line" two blocks away. For East Bay folks, the 38 is a relatively quick trip from BART; I think there's also a reasonable CalTrain connection, although I don't know it ( http://511.org is great for transit trip planning).
Please gather at 10:00 AM. I'll give an introductory talk with a bit of background on the region, if you've heard this before, just make sure you arrive by 10:15. If you get there late and can't find us, my cell number is five one oh, 495-7035 (please post advanced questions by email, not by phone).
Links to previous times we've done this hike: