COASTAL TRAIL AT HAWK HILL
Project Description
Overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, the city of San Francisco, and the Marin Headlands, Hawk Hill is one of the Golden Gate National Parks’ signature viewpoints and a prime visitor destination. Over the next several years, look for transformations at this beloved location that will include new and enhanced trails, visitor amenities and signage, habitat restoration, and stabilization of the historic features.
Long a key site for exploring underground army fortifications and for observing migrating raptors, Hawk Hill recently has received more attention because of a creature with much smaller wings—the endangered mission blue butterfly. Coastal prairie and scrub on the Headlands once supported healthy populations of the mission blue. Over the past 30 years, however, non-native Monterey pine and Monterey cypress trees have spread into these grasslands (likely arriving in soil brought by the military to create their fortifications). The trees are now so abundant that they have taken over important native habitat.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park
Service are collaborating to make dramatic improvements to Hawk Hill’s
ecological and cultural features.
2011 Actions
The Hawk Hill Restoration and Trail Improvement Project begins in December with the restoration of approximately six acres of coastal scrub and prairie vegetation, resulting in improved habitat for declining bird populations and the endangered mission blue butterfly as well as the historic scene at Battery Construction 129. To restore this landscape and protect the battery, it is necessary to remove invasive Monterey pine and cypress trees.
This work will require the closure of Hawk Hill's trails and tunnels for the duration of the project. For more details see the project flyer and trail closure map (PDF).
Project Actions
- Accessible trail connecting two historic tunnels. Plans are in the works for a trail that circles the base of the hill, providing access to historic gun pits and the realigned Coastal Trail.
- Improved seating areas, restrooms, and signage at the top of Hawk Hill.
Better visitor amenities will make educational and volunteer
opportunities even more enjoyable.
- Stabilization of historic structures. Aging
features around the hill will be restored so that they can be explored
and appreciated.
- New guard rails, curbs, fencing, and trail surfaces.
Replacement of decayed wooden steps will also make the site safer.
- Accessibility for physically challenged visitors.
Improvements help trail segments meet outdoor recreation accessibility
standards.
- Restoration of native habitat and historic views.
Removing non-native trees will facilitate the growth of three native
lupine species that serve as the “host plant” for the endangered mission blue butterfly.
Since the presence of raptors in the area predates the Monterey pines
and Monterey cypresses, tree removal is expected to have minimal impact
on migration patterns. Birders will still be able to observe these
species in one of the area’s many nearby stands.
Key Contributors
The first phase of this project is made possible by funds from the National Park Service Recreation Fee Program.
Support Our Work
Donate
If you are interested in learning about
how you can support improvements at Hawk Hill, please contact Development Director Kathryn
Morelli by e-mail or
call (415)
561-3050.
Get Dirty
Lend a hand! We rely on community
support to maintain the amazing landscape improvements at sites like Hawk Hill.
It’s fun, it’s healthy, it makes a HUGE difference, and it's easy to get
started. To learn more, visit our volunteer
page or
call us at (415) 561-3077.
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