When I hiked up Bishop Peak in San Luis Obispo, I enjoyed it so much I wrote it up for California Explorer (May/June 2014). Since then I’ve wondered about the other ancient volcanic plugs that make up the nine sisters, a group that starts with Morro Rock and ends at Islay Hill in the southeast corner of San Luis Obispo.
I decided to trek down to the area with the idea of exploring the other morros, or at least the ones open to exploration. Morro Rock is environmentally sensitive and closed to climbing. Chumash Peak has no access, and Cerro Romauldo is used only by the National Guard. Hollister Peak is on private land with only occasional access. That leaves five for the public to enjoy.
Black Hill is the easiest, as the road up to it, which …show more content…
Then the single track trail turns into a rocky, dirt road that climbs steeply the rest of the way. There is a great place to stop and take a rest, as the road loops to the right around the western flank. There you get a great view of Bishop Peak, Chumash Peak and Cerro Romauldo.
When you come around the curve there are two ways to go. The main road is to the left and is longer and less steep. I made the mistake of taking the right, single track. However both of these come together just below the peak. Then there is a final short loop circling the top. Take either one and make a short rock scramble to the top for more impressive views.
The final, eastern-most morro is 775 feet Islay Hill. Save this one for last, as it is far easier than most of the others, with 550 feet of elevation on a 1.8 mile round trip. I picked this one off on the return from a trip to Southern California, and it was 40 minutes up, with stops to enjoy the view and take photos, and 25 minutes down. I am not a very fast hiker, particularly in the heat of the afternoon, but this was pleasant. Wisely, I had written down the directions, as the trail is located in a neighborhood on the edge of town and requires several
I decided to trek down to the area with the idea of exploring the other morros, or at least the ones open to exploration. Morro Rock is environmentally sensitive and closed to climbing. Chumash Peak has no access, and Cerro Romauldo is used only by the National Guard. Hollister Peak is on private land with only occasional access. That leaves five for the public to enjoy.
Black Hill is the easiest, as the road up to it, which …show more content…
Then the single track trail turns into a rocky, dirt road that climbs steeply the rest of the way. There is a great place to stop and take a rest, as the road loops to the right around the western flank. There you get a great view of Bishop Peak, Chumash Peak and Cerro Romauldo.
When you come around the curve there are two ways to go. The main road is to the left and is longer and less steep. I made the mistake of taking the right, single track. However both of these come together just below the peak. Then there is a final short loop circling the top. Take either one and make a short rock scramble to the top for more impressive views.
The final, eastern-most morro is 775 feet Islay Hill. Save this one for last, as it is far easier than most of the others, with 550 feet of elevation on a 1.8 mile round trip. I picked this one off on the return from a trip to Southern California, and it was 40 minutes up, with stops to enjoy the view and take photos, and 25 minutes down. I am not a very fast hiker, particularly in the heat of the afternoon, but this was pleasant. Wisely, I had written down the directions, as the trail is located in a neighborhood on the edge of town and requires several