Hopper’s Hands
The Verdict
"Two yellow-painted metal hand outlines bolted to the fence behind Fort Point, put up around 2000 by Golden Gate Bridge ironworker Ken Hopper. The Ferry Building round trip to the hands and back is about 10 miles, a common marathon training turnaround. Free, on the Bay Trail under the bridge."
What you need to know
What’s There
Two yellow-painted metal hand outlines bolted to a chain-link fence behind Fort Point, on the Bay Trail directly under the Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate Bridge ironworker Ken Hopper and his coworkers put them up around 2000, after the National Guard left the area and runners began touching the new fence to mark their turnaround point.
The tradition is to high-five (or “high-ten”) the hands as you pass. The round trip from the Ferry Building to Hopper’s Hands and back is roughly 10 miles, which made the spot a common turnaround for marathon training.
Hopper also volunteered for years on the Golden Gate Bridge’s suicide prevention team, helping talk people back from the edge. He estimated he helped about 30 people off the bridge during his time as an ironworker.
Visiting
Address: Fort Point National Historic Site, Marine Drive, Presidio
Cost: Free
Hours: The trail is always accessible. Fort Point itself is open Friday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
Best time to go: Anytime during a run or walk along the Crissy Field path.
What to know: The hands are on the chain-link fence at the rear of Fort Point, facing the Bay Trail. Walk around the back of the brick fort to find them.
Getting There
Transit: Muni 28-19th Avenue to the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, then walk down to Fort Point (15 minutes downhill). Or PresidiGo shuttle from downtown.
Parking: Small lot at Fort Point (fills early on weekends). Additional parking at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.
Walking: Part of the Bay Trail and Crissy Field waterfront path. Combine with Fort Point, the bridge walk, and the Warming Hut.