Thinkwalks presents an exploration hike:

Dune Water Hike

SORRY, THE HIKE IS NOW FULL.

Dune sand and fractured rock define San Francisco’s groundwater.

Since so much of our city is paved, we don’t think much about the soil (unless we have a garden). Understanding water requires understanding groundwater which needs a clear picture of soils. A third of the city is sand, and half of that was active dunes. Let’s explore on and off the edge of the Great San Francisco Dune Field!

We’ll visit two mountains shown here. We’ll start on the shoulder of Mount Sutro (left) and skirt the edge of Lone Mountain (right). This 1870 picture from Cathedral Hill facing west shows the Western Addition and graveyards (both left and right of Lone Mountain). Click it for zoom.

[photo credit OpenSFHistory / wnp37.00774-L.jpg]

Hike highlights: Trails you’ve never been on, see springs, visit former dune ponds and quarries, see trees you wouldn’t expect in the dunes, great views, discuss deep history including climate surprises, mysteries yet to solve, and end with the founding moment of SF.

We’ll visit many places including Golden Gate Park, which is a garden made from converted dunes, we’ll see springs from the hills absorb into the sand, gawk at old photos and fathom the depths (mentally), join us!

☆ RSVP required
↪ Rain or shine
↪ Bring snack food (sharing tradition optional)
↪ Hike length: approx. 6 miles
↪ Steep hills
↪ Ends at Duboce Park
↪ Maximum 14 people

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