Sunshine and bikers on Morning Sun Trail

     What a gorgeous day in the Bay Area today! JAG reunited for a quick commute over Golden Gate Bridge for our hike in the Marin Headlands, led by Greg. We really enjoyed this hike and I'd love to go explore some of the other off-shoots at some point. You can get there by heading North on 101, exit #443 on Monte Mar Dr. towards Spencer Ave. and then turn left on Spencer and park in that little driveway. You can spot the parking area closest to Sausalito on the National Parks map of the area - and I'd really recommend printing out a big map if possible, or picking one up at the Marin Headlands Visitors Center, as there are a lot of different paths to take.

Annie and Greg are pumped at the Morning Sun Trailhead

     We began at Morning Sun Trailhead around 10:45am (bring some water - you'll need it for the uphill trek). The hike starts out in the shaded woods and all uphill - another one with a tough uphill battle to start...but it's all pretty gradual after the long ascent. Put on sunscreen for the rest of the way when the trail breaks out in the sun - and follow it to Alta Trail. You'll see a tall white structure - so just head that way (but not inside the fence, where the sign threatens anyone who tries).

     Then we headed onto Bobcat Trail for a long walk downhill (note that you could instead take the trail up a bit more if you want to extend your hike). We opted to go down, but not before taking in the sweeping views of the city, Golden Gate, Sutro Tower, and the Pacific (my camera phone isn't doing it justice - you'll just have to go).

     Bobcat Trail re-joins Alta trail for a steady uphill climb, where mountain bikers continue to zip past - so heads up! They also kick up a lot of dust, so my legs were covered in dirt by the time we got back to the parking lot. We returned down Morning Sun Trail to the parking lot, ending the hike around 1:30pm - making it about a 2hr 45min. hike. And how to reward ourselves? Bloody Marys at lunch, of course! 

     In probably the fastest ride over Golden Gate any of us have had, we went to the Presidio Social Club where we snagged a coveted table out on the back patio area (again...more sunscreen needed). Kelly (last seen on the Presidio Trail) was with a friend nearby, so they joined us for a drink, too. The Bloody Marys are spicy but refreshing and tasty - but the winning dishes were the burger and herb scramble. Apparently there was also a luau party on Sunday evening with Mai Tais and a roasted pig - wish I could have stayed!

Presidio Trails - South Side

     I'm always late. I have awful time management skills, and it's something my manager at work and my mother at home always complained about. But I try! I really do. Alas, it prevented a JAG hike yesterday, since I kept pushing it back and then Greg couldn't deal with me anymore (sorry, Greg). Annie was avoiding us as per usual, so it was just going to be the two of us. Since JAG fell apart - I asked Kelly (honorary member of JAG) if she was free - and as luck would have it, she could join me for a quickie impromptu hike.

     For a quick NEW hike, I used the app Transit and Trails (available on iPhone and Android). This way, I was able to sit in the car wash (the Mini was filthy) and do a 'hikes near me' search to see a map of all local hikes. I picked something in the Presidio, so that we wouldn't have to drive to far, but it was still far enough away that I wouldn't have walked there. We ended up starting with the Mountain Lake Trail, and parking on 12th street, just at the edge of the park (although it gets so congested that I'd recommend parking on California so that you don't get boxed in).

The hike:
     Starting at the end of 12th St around 3:45pm, we walked through the park and then turned right at the lake (it looks like there's some construction, on the West side of the lake, so we didn't go that way). All of this is considered the Mountain Lake Trail. However, it turns out that we veered off of the path and ended up on a few different trails - all detailed here. After going around the East side of the Lake, we made it onto the Park Trail - which takes you on the West side of the golf course. This leads down to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, where we headed East. I really liked this one - and saw a few other people, plenty of them with dogs. On this one, you'll walk through some beautiful wooded areas - which culminate in a wood masterpiece called 'The Spire".

Looking up at this will make you dizzy because of the clouds moving so quickly above. Try it!

And here is Kelly, emulating The Spire...

     Soon after (and still along the Bay Area Ridge Trail), we came upon the Presidio Cafe...which was probably a sign that we needed a drink - we took it. It looks like table service is closed after 3, but you can still order at the bar and sit down wherever you like. Note to single girls: this place is crawling with men...take advantage. After a rewarding glass of wine each, we were back on the trail which then re-connected us with the Mountain Lake Trail - heading West back to the park. It was pretty chilly by then (around 5:30 pm), so we were happy to be back in the car. We were only gone for maybe 2 hours, and it was all easy to slightly moderate at points - perfect for squeezing in a late hike on Sunday...when you realized that all you did all weekend was eat, drink, and lounge around. But not so if you make it to the Presidio trails!

Discover SF Bay all over again!

     Taking a hint from Weekend Sherpa today, we went on a hike in Pacifica on the Sweeney Ridge trail. Greg pushed the timing back and Annie already had plans, so with my two 'AG' members fighting...I ended up hiking alone with Greg. We were planning on hiking closer to the South Bay, but with the change in participation - we decided to go somewhere closer...Pacifica! What a gorgeous hike - sweeping views of both the Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
     The beginning was rough...especially since I haven't been doing much exercise. It was all uphill for about the first mile or so but then leveled out and was then downhill on the way back. There were some pretty wildflowers along the way, and then the Nike Missile site full of abandoned buildings all graffiti-ed up. So strange to think that at one point - we had a nuclear missiles pointing at the clouds to protect the SF Bay. That part isn't as picturesque - but you can see the monument to where Spanish explorer, Portola, discovered the Bay...and then turn around and head right back down to the Orchid Nursery.
     Although we didn't shop for Orchids today, we DID go to Gorilla BBQ for some pulled-pork sando's with that delicious BBQ sauce.

Here is Greg taking a break from waiting in line to pose (DO expect a long line and wait)

It was good - but I wouldn't say amazing. Still, a solid sandwich after a moderate hike. The corn on the cob was fresh and tasty - but don't expect anything extra added on. The mac and cheese was yummy (I stole a bite from Greg), but he seemed to love the cornbread muffin even more. Go for a hike, enjoy the beautiful views, and then stuff your face with BBQ!