Welcome to SLO Hikes

Welcome to SLO Hikes.

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Hikes coming soon:

• Bishops Peak (x2)
  
• Poly Canyon
• Reservoir Canyon

Please comment or email me with any suggestions for the blog or hikes to include.

Thanks!

Reservoir Canyon Trail

Reservoir Canyon Trail starts in a shady grove of trees and follows a seasonal creek up hill, eventually crossing the creek and working its way up the hill.  About half way up, you discover a bunch of artwork created from rusted metal as well as a cool tree swing.  As you proceed up the hill, you will be teased many times, thinking you're almost to the top, only to see another higher peak above.  But if you persist, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the San Luis Obispo area, as well as views of Pismo Beach and Morrow bay in the distance.  At the top you can follow the ridge in either direction (to the right is the top of High School Hill), just remember the two piles of rocks that mark the trail for your return.

Location

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To reach the trailhead for Reservoir Canyon Trail, take Highway 101 north from San Luis Obispo and turn right onto Reservoir Canyon Road (shortly after the highway begins to curve left before the Cuesta grade). After about half a mile, you reach a split in the road; go right and just ahead is the parking lot for the trail on the side of the road (pictured below).

Length
2+ hours round trip
2.8 miles round trip

Difficulty
Moderate

Pictures

trail head

creek

art

view

Avila Beach Cave

This short hike begins in the dirt parking lot. There are two signs:
the trail behind the left sign goes to the beach and the cave, the
trail behind the right sign goes out to the rock. The two trails are
connected by a cross trail going between some cool trees (pictured
below). If you continue on the left trail, you reach a fork in the
trail (pictured below). To the left is a secluded beach, to the right
is the cave. When you reach the cave, you find beautiful views of the
pacific coast, which are even more spectacular at sunset (pictured
below).

Location

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Head towards Avila Beach. As you start to pass the golf course, on
your left will be Cave Landing Drive. Follow this up the hill, past
the gates to the Chevron facility. The road will end in a dirt
parking lot.

Length
.5 miles round trip
20 mine round trip


Difficulty
Easy

Pictures

Highschool Hill

Description:

This hike begins behind the San Luis Obispo High School.  You begin by walking through a field of cacti.  From there you quickly ascend about 1200 feet to the top of the ridge.  When you reach the top, there is a large pile of rocks and a road traversing the ridge.  If you head to the left, you find an orange FM tower about 20 feet tall.  From the top of the ridge, you are met with a breathtaking view of the greater San Luis Obispo area.  You can even see the ocean when conditions are clear.

Location:

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To get to the trailhead, take Johnson Avenue towards the French Hospital, turn left on Lizzie Street.  When Lizzie turns right, continue straight up the hill.  The trailhead is on the right side of the culdesac (pictured below).

Length:

Aprox. 1.5 hours round trip

2 miles round trip

Elevation gain 1200 feet

Difficulty:

Strenuous / Steep

Pictures: