Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge Hike

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

DIFFICULTY: Moderately strenuous. Since the hike is over 8 miles in length, it is rated as moderately strenuous per our guidelines.

ELEVATION GAIN: The hike is relatively flat (approximately 200-300 feet of elevation gain).

HIKE DISTANCE: 8.5 miles.

GENERAL LOCATION: From Fort Baker in Sausalito to San Francisco Ferry Building and return by ferry to Sausalito.

DESCRIPTION: This year we will do the hike in reverse of previous years. We will hike from Fort Baker in Sausalito south over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Ferry Builiding and return by Ferry to Sausalito. We will park at Fort Baker in Sausalito. One vehicle will be dropped off near the Sausalito Ferry terminal to shuttle drivers back to Fort Baker after the hike is over. The hike will proceed from Fort Baker south over the Golden Gate Bridge, walking along the Golden Gate Promenade which includes Crissy Field and the Marina Green, continuing down the Embarcadero past Fisherman's Wharf to the San Francisco Ferry Building. We will return to Sausalito Ferry Terminal via a 30 minute ferry ride.

Highlights of the hike include:

● Fort Baker - A 1905 former Army post, which consists of over 25 historic army buildings, including a lodge with guest rooms, restaurant and a bar, clustered around a main parade ground, a sheltered harbor (Horseshoe Cove) protected by a jetty, a number of historic gun emplacements, and trails and forested areas climbing gently up from San Francisco Bay. We will walk around Horseshoe Cove, explore the area and enjoy the views.

● Golden Gate Bridge - Construction began on January 5, 1933. It first opened to vehicular traffic on May 28, 1937. You may spot a harbor porpoise among other things. For the past 65 years the harbor porpoise were rarely seen inside the bay and in the past three years they have been returning and biologists want to know why.

● Fort Point - A Civil War era fort.

● The old Coast Guard Station - With its piers and several buildings, one of which is the Visitor Center for the National Marine Sanctuary.

● Crissy Field - A former 1920's Army airfield.

● Fort Mason - A former US Army Post, from the 1920's through WWII was a major wartime embarkation center shipping supplies and troops to the Pacific.

● San Francisco Maritime Museum and Aquatic Park - Where we can walk out on the Municipal Pier.

● Fisherman's Wharf - Lined with outdoor crab stands.

● Pier 39 - Home of the amazing sea lions.

● Ferry Building - Opening in 1898 on the site of the 1875 wooden Ferry House, the Ferry Building became the transportation focal point for anyone arriving by train from the East, as well as from all the East Bay and Marin residents who worked in the city. From the Gold Rush until the 1930's, arrival by ferryboat became the only way travelers and commuters—except those coming from the Peninsula—could reach the city.

LUNCH: You should bring your lunch. There are food vendors in Golden Gate Promenade area where you can buy lunch or snacks if you would like. We will probably eat lunch between the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge or Crissy Field depending on when we arrive in those areas. We should leave Fort Baker at about 10:30am. We plan on having lunch by around 12:00pm about an hour to an hour and a half after we start our walk.

TRAVEL TIME / DISTANCE/ PARKING: Travel time is approximately 2 and a quarter hours and 121 miles from Lincoln. Suggested contribution for riders is $18. Parking in Fort Baker is free.

FERRY SCHEDULE AND COST: The ferry we are planning on taking is scheduled to leave the San Francisco Ferry Building at 4:00pm and arrive at the Sausalito Ferry Terminal at 4:30pm. Ferry costs are Adults – 19 to 64 - - $10.75 and Seniors – 65+ - - $5.25. Bring correct change or your credit card. An electronic ticket machine is available for ticket purchases before you get on board the ferry in Sausalito.

DINNER PLANS: We should arrive back to Sausalito around 4:30pm. We will stop for dinner prior to returning home to Lincoln. A possible restaurant is Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur. If you stop for dinner, expect to return to Lincoln Hills between 8:30pm and 9:00pm.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE: There are bathroom facilities at Fort Baker, in numerous places along the route and in the Ferry Building,

2) Bring a copy of your ID or drivers license, health card, and an emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.

3) Always bring 2 pairs of shoes, along with a plastic bag to store your hiking boots after the hike. Do not get your driver's car dirty by wearing your dirty boots on the drive home.

4) Hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, gloves and layers of clothing.

5) Be prepared for the possibility of cool weather. You may want to bring a long sleeved shirt and/or a jacket. Weather in San Francisco in July can be cooler than might be expected.

RISKS: We could encounter cool, foggy, windy weather. You may wish to bring ear plugs for the rumbling traffic on the bridge. Also, binoculars for spotting harbor porpoise, ships, and other interesting sights along the way.

MEETING TIME: 7:00am at Orchard Creek parking lot -- We will leave at 7:15am.