Before our headlights the coyote
flies across four lanes
of rush-hour traffic, safely,
and pauses at the right-of-way
My heart is still pounding
His victory may be our slender hope
-Carlos Reyes, “Arizona Nocturne”
Many early American people considered Coyote a very significant animal. He is often seen in the role of the creator or as the trickster. According to William Bright in A Coyote Reader, “Some California tribes relate that ‘Earth-maker’ wanted to give people eternal life, but Coyote invented death ‘to make people take life more seriously’”
(48).
The Miwok tell a tale of Coyote bringing the sun and moon to the people, though during a San Francisco summer, that is debatable.
Coyotes lived in San Francisco up until the mid-1900s, when they were driven out by the diminishing greenspace. Today, these canines are starting to take back their homeland. Sources conflict on the number of canis latrans within city limits, from a couple dozen to one hundred, but one thing we know for sure is that Golden Gate Park is home to many of them. The coyotes in the park seem to be clustered more towards the Western end near Ocean Beach, however, there have been sightings near Stow Lake in the past.
This cache is on Strawberry Hill, which is within Stow Lake. I recommend taking the time to walk around the entire island, as there are great views of the park and city.
This cache was a final project for USF's Golden Gate Park First Year Seminar.
Please use common sense when walking and hiking around areas with recent coyote sightings. During April-August, keep your dogs leashed as this is pupping season and coyotes may be more territorial than usual. That said, coyotes are usually harmless and often timid. When left alone, they will not bother you.