Pulgas Water Temple Area Exploration

In this video, John Fournet of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission explains the origins of the Pulgas Water temple.




In 1934, the first rush of Hetch Hetchy water flowed through the gravity-driven tunnel system, across the California's central valley. It swooshed through the base of the Pulgas Water Temple and into nearby Crystal Springs reservoir while San Franciscans cheered, and some conservationists frowned.

Looking up through the top of the temple to blue skies.

The Pulgas Water Temple was built at the terminus of the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct as a monument to the new water system. It's located within the watershed, just south of Crystal Springs reservoir. The plaque reads, "I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people," a quote from Isaiah.

Our guide for the day, John Fournet, is the Community Liaison for SFPUC Natural Resources and Lands Management Division.

We were definitely envious of our guide's hat. Apparently this design is hard to get these days.

Horseshoe tracks lead the way across Canada Rd. from the Water Temple to the beginning of Sheep Camp trail.

Walk along the trail next to the road your way towards the entrance to Sheep Camp Trail.

The gate to Sheep Camp Trail - the multitude of signs belie the mosaic of many public resources at the city, county, state and private levels that make up our Bay Area's watersheds.

As if the Poison oak was not enough of a warning....

Now that the signs have reminded you that you're on important property, begin your trek up to sweeping views of the watershed.

The trail quickly opens up to grassland. A fence alongside reminds hikers that their access to this watershed property is limited.

Further up the ascent, hikers find themselves among common flora of the Bay Area landscape: coast live oak, coyote brush, flowering annual grasses.

Many of the oaks are hosts to Spanish Moss (Ramalina menziesii), which is actually a lichen, a combination of a fungus and an algae. The lichen doesn't harm the tree, though it can often be found on leafless branches where it can get more light.

This oak, an oddity for being somewhat of a loner rather than among a stand of trees, was probably once home to much more Spanish Moss, but has now become too dry provide a good site for the lichen.

And no Bay Area hike could be complete with out spotting our constant companion, poison oak. Though the leaves are pretty, they're best left alone.

This blueschist is an unusual type of metamorphic rock that forms in high-pressure, low-temperature environments, such as plate subduction zones, where one of the earth's tectonic plates slides under another.

Ringing this blueschist bolder is Dipsacus fullonum, or Common Teasel. This non-native, thistle-like plant has been used for combing out wool for centuries. Despite its storied history in Europe, it is considered an invasive weed here in North America.

Dipsacus fullonum, or Common Teasel, here seen in its fresh state, accompanying a lovely blueschist boulder speckled with colorful lichen.

This blueschist plays host to lichens of white, orange, yellow and chartreuse.

This view from the top of the hill is no ordinary vista. The body of water is Upper Crystal Springs reservoir, one of several that holds San Francisco's drinking water. The San Andreas fault runs through the valley under Crystal Spring. This means you are standing on the North American tectonic plate (which is moving south) and looking across the valley at the Pacific plate (which is moving north). If you could return in 5,000 years, you might be able to notice how things have shifted.

Amaryllis belladonna, more commonly known as Naked Ladies, sprout green foliage in spring, which dies down over summer. Later in the season, the leafless stalks spring forth with beautiful, if somewhat haunting flowers.


A closer view of the belladonna lily. The heady perfume of a fresh bloom has been likened to bubble gum or cotton candy.

From here, you can continue on to other San Mateo parks trails, such as Water Dog Park, and can even continue all the way to Camino Real. You can find connecting routes on the Map of Mid-County Trails, downloadable from the San Mateo Department of Parks website.