Comments on: The Pill Hill/Fairmount ridge walk (#20)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:04:46 +0000

Cool! I’ll have to give it a look some time.

By: Bruce Tutcher

Bruce Tutcher — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:19:23 +0000

I did a version of this walk recently based on a specific premise. I found the first survey map of Oakland, from 1857, showing Glen Echo Valley and, notably, the presence of riparian trees along the valley and up the hill. I spent some time in the 28th Street cul-de-sac at the bottom of the path that leads to Hamilton St. If you go through the parking lots of the Christian Terrace buildings, to the south, there’s the hill descending on the left, with the middle school yard above. There’s oaks along that stretch, as well as pines of course. More interesting is that the parking lot narrows and at the end is a fence with a tiny part of Glen Echo creek daylighted below. And just to the left is another sloping part of the hill just brim-filled with oaks, extending behind the Kelley Paper building below and the school above. It’s just amazing what a beautiful little spot it is. There’s a locked gate on the other side, were the 1st Congregational Church parking lot…and more oaks, sits atop the very end of the hill, where formerly Lake Merritt marshes stretched away to the west arm of the lake.

By: Jafafa Hots (@JafafaHots)

Jafafa Hots (@JafafaHots) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:18:16 +0000

Thanks!
I have TONS of more transit tokens including some very rare bay area ones, but have been too lazy to post them as of yet.

By: demetra

demetra — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:57:58 +0000

This brings back memories, as I used to live on Kempton. When I saw the steps, it’s like I was 8 again! Maybe one day I’ll return to renovate an old Victorian…

By: Naomi Schiff

Naomi Schiff — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:44:31 +0000

By the way, that little roof on Perkins Alley: a historic horse car stop, later cable car stop that is miraculously still intact. It has functioned as an AC transit stop for years. The cable car barn was where Whole Foods now stands. Various Oakland Heritage Alliance tours cover some of this territory during summer season.

By: Gene

Gene — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:17:04 +0000

The transit token collection is very cool! I’ve got a Key System token (solid) and a Railway Transit token (cutout around the ‘R’). I should photograph them and do a Key System post for Our Oakland.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:39:52 +0000

I have to say, Jafafa, that your collection of transit tokens is wonderful.

By: Jafafa Hots (@JafafaHots)

Jafafa Hots (@JafafaHots) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:07:40 +0000

Used to spend hours in Glen Oak Park with the dog when I lived on Frisbie Street.
Haven’t been back there since ’98. I should wander over someday, such a nice little park to have around the corner.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:11:59 +0000

You could easily start on Piedmont Avenue somewhere, like Cato’s, then go through Mosswood Park and over to the west side of Pill Hill, or start at the Macarthur BART at Cafe Dejena.

By: Gene

Gene — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:19:21 +0000

I’ve been wanting to take this walk — seems like it might make a good addition to Oakland Urban Paths set. The only fault I found with Charles’ description is that he should have started and ended at the Commonwealth Cafe, since he tries to start or end on dining places. Nothing against Taste of Denmark nee Neldam’s, but Commonwealth is an English-style pub and fits better :-)