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The top of Mount Livermore was replaced in 2002 and the
island is now 16 feet taller than in recent years. The army shaved
the peak off for the Nike Missile base in the 1950's, flattening the top
of the island. When it became a state park, picnic tables and a few
interpretive signs were added to a place that had one of the best views in
the bay area, but it was never fully developed into an attractive space.
Mt. Livermore is named for Caroline Livermore, an early
leader of the Marin Conservation Leaque. She had many successes in her
years there, among them, convincing state and federal officials to make
Angel Island a state park. |
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When funds became available for
natural resource improvements, the decision was made to put the top
back on the mountain. The dirt was never removed, only bulldozed
over the edge, so crews pushed it back up and resculpted the island to a
close approximation of its original contours. In addition, the road
that scarred the face of the mountain in its approach from the west side
was removed, and a winding trail was created, leading to the
top from the east side of the island. Three picnic sites on the original concrete pads
are in place. Thousands of native plants, cultivated from Angel Island cuttings, were
added as well.
The trail to the top starts near the confluence of
the Northridge trail, Sunset trail, and the road from the Perimeter Road
that goes past the fire road and intersects with the trails on the south
side of the island. Follow the Northridge trail and take the spur
that heads uphill. It is no more than a 10 minute walk, less
steep than the old road, from this intersection.
Click on any of the small pictures below
for a larger view of the new top and the view. |
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| Where the road to the top used
to be. The new end of the road is at the right |
The recontoured top viewed
from the western picnic area |
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| Panoramic view
from the top, looking north/northwest. Tiburon and Belvedere are in
the front in the middle to right with Mill Valley and Mount Tam directly
behind them and Sausalito and the Golden Gate on the left. |
Panoramic view
looking south. The Golden Gate Bridge is on the right, Alcatraz and
San Francisco are in the middle, and the Bay Bridge is on the left |
Panoramic view
looking east with construction material still in place. The Bay
Bridge, Yerba Buena, and Treasure Island are on the right |
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