Other Trails Forever Gems
Our vast network of trails also boasts lesser-known destinations that would delight you on your next park adventure. Some of these gems are off the beaten track; others are slowly becoming more familiar to Bay Area residents. These beautiful trails in the national parks at your doorstep are yours to savor and enjoy. Come out and enjoy a long stroll, energetic run, or a lazy day to gaze from our vista points. 
This summer will mark the third year of efforts to improve the trails, wildlife habitat, and accessibility at Mori Point in Pacifica. [Click here for PDF download of trail news and detour map.]
This year’s work focuses on restoring the hydrological connectivity between the three ponds created for the endangered San Francisco garter snake and threatened California red-legged frog. Currently, the artificial berms lining Mori Road form a barrier to water moving down the slope. This means that the lower ponds dry up early in the year, and the path becomes wet and muddy. This project will remove the artificial berms, allowing water to travel more naturally across the landscape, expanding wetland habitat, and recharging the ponds to give tadpoles a chance to mature.
An accessible elevated trail with wooden decking will be installed above Mori Road, letting wildlife cross safely beneath it from wetland to grassy upland habitats, and enabling visitors to walk across the wetlands in comfort, without disturbing any of the wildlife. A viewing platform with benches and gathering spaces overlooking the southern pond will also be added, and should be great place to observe wetland wildlife in action.
The Mori Point Restoration and Trail Project will begin mid-July and be completed by early November.
Youth from the Oceana High School Nursery and North Bay Conservation Corps are growing 13,000 native plants that will be planted by community volunteers this winter. Improvements at Mori Point are made possible by the generous individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies that support our parks and this project.
On a spectacular ridgeline above Muir Beach, the Dias Ridge Trail unfolds breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean and Marin Headlands. Trails Forever crews there are currently wrapping up a project that ensures safe and sustainable access to this hidden gem, while protecting sensitive habitat. Although major construction finished in July, stewardship teams and community volunteers will continue revegetation work through the fall and winter. The public is asked to avoid the new trail until habitat restoration is completed in spring 2010. Please view trail closures here.
The Presidio Bluffs are a showcase for serpentinite, the California state rock, and a refuge for eight of the Park's rare plants. However, the invasion of non-native species are threatening the survival of the bluff's rare plants and unique wildlife. In 2006, high priority invasive plants and select non-native trees were removed to allow for the restoration of wetland and coastal scrub habitats as well as the opening of scenic views from the Coastal Trail. In 2007, Trails Forever began improvements to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. This project will result in both a safer hiking route along the city's northern coast as well as an improved access to north Baker Beach.
The Southern Marin Headlands' rolling grassland slopes provide important habitat for the endangered mission blue butterfly and provide a sublime backdrop to the vista points and military fortifications that draw millions of visitors to this area each year. Spreading infestations of non-native vegetation threaten the grassland and coastal scrub habitat that characterize these slopes, including plants that are critical to the survival of the mission blue butterfly. Efforts to control target invasive species began in 2006.To learn more, download the Southern Marin Headlands Update (PDF).
Pirates Cove is nestled within some of the Golden Gate National Parks' wildest and most scenic coastal slopes and rugged cliffs. Facing the Pacific Ocean just south of Muir Beach, this area supports dense and relatively undisturbed coastal scrub, prairie, and riparian habitats. Non-native Pampas grass has colonized the cliff faces over the past three decades, spreading inland in areas where non-natural distrubance has occured. In 2006, we began controlling the Pampas grass invasion in an effort to maintain this otherwise pristine wildland habitat. Additionally, an improved Coastal Trail route has been constructed to enhance public access to this special area year round.
On Saturday, January 20th, over 70 people gathered to celebrate the installation of Golden Gate National Parks’ first community trailhead sign at the Richmond District YMCA. Following the opening ceremonies, over 50 of the attendees "hit the trail" with park guides to explore either Mountain Lake's Anza Trail or the Lands End Coastal Trail with NPS and Presidio Trust guides. Lands End walk participants were transported to and from Lands End on Presidigo.
CRISSY FIELD: The restored Crissy Field is a favorite with locals and visitors alike, a place to walk or bike on a flat, hard-packed promenade by the bay and to bring the family for a class, exhibit, or performance at the Crissy Field Center. A wide, fully accessible trail traverses Crissy Field between Marina Green and Fort Point and is perfect for an easy walk, jog, or bike, or for strollers and wheelchairs. For trail hiking ideas, click here.
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