Volunteers Restore Historic Trail
Pouring rain, cold, dense fog, steep terrain and thick mud couldn’t keep these outdoorsy volunteers away.
UCSF joined with the Sutro Stewards and San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to mark the June 4th National Trails Day by reopening a historic trail on Mount Sutro. The trail, which had been closed by the city since the 1960’s, begins at 17th and Stanyan Streets and leads to the summit above the UCSF Parnassus campus.
“UCSF is famous for many things but probably most overlooked is its amazing on-campus mountain,” said Craig Dawson, executive director of Sutro Stewards, a volunteer organization dedicated to conservation and restoration of outdoor spaces in San Francisco.
Despite the rainy weather, more than 50 volunteers shoveled dirt, hauled rocks and removed debris from the last few sections of the newly restored trail. Dawson emphasizes that trail maintenance is an ongoing process and that anyone can volunteer through the Sutro Stewards website.
Damon Lew, assistant director of community relations at UCSF, joined the Sutro Stewards volunteers on that cold day. "It was rewarding to see people come out to participate in events that really encourage outdoor activities right here in our backyard," he said.
Photos by Chloe Jackman