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Morro Mania Hike
June 1 @ 7:30 am - 7:30 pm
Join us for the 15th Anniversary Morro Mania Hike, a one-day ascent of the five publicly accessible Morros near San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay (see individual start times below). All five Morros can be hiked in succession or selected individually to suit one’s preferences and physical conditioning. Each morro has a unique experience, with multiple vistas of the regional mountains and valleys, along with oak woodlands and grassland, giant rock outcrops, and finally ocean views. Total round-trip distance for all five hikes is roughly 13 miles, with 3,500 ft. elevation gain.
Bring plenty of water (store extra water in your vehicle), lunch and snacks, and dress in layers for the changing weather. A hat, sturdy walking/hiking shoes, and hiking poles are essential. The day is likely to start and end cool, but be warm/hot in the afternoon. Dogs are welcome, except for the last two morros: Cerro Cabrillo and Black Hill due to State Park regulations. The plants, animals, and the geology of this area will be topics of discussion along the way.
The map below is to the first morro location, Islay Hill. Directions to the rest of the morros can be found by the street directions or latitude/longitude directions provided for each location below, with trail maps provided for some at the City of San Luis Obispo Open Space trail website here.
Please register and sign a liability waiver at the link below for this event.
Click here to register in English
Click here to register in Spanish
Schedule for Morro Mania Day:
7:30 am, Islay Hill, 2 miles up and back, 500 ft. gain, moderate, 1 hour. The easternmost of the morros, with views of five other morros. To get to the trailhead, take Tank Farm Road east past Orcutt Road, then south on Spanish Oaks Drive, then east on Sweet Bay Lane to the end (35.243601, -120.627514).
9:00 am, Cerro San Luis, 4 miles up and back, 1,100 ft. gain, moderate, 2 hours. Has a 360o view of the area. Trailhead is at the end of Marsh Street just before onramp to Highway 101 south (35.274331, -120.672541).
Lunch: 11:15 am to 12:00 pm, Throop Park, corner of Cerro Romauldo Street and Cuesta Drive in the City of San Luis Obispo (35.295753, -120.676982).
12:15 pm, Bishop Peak, 3.5 miles, 950 ft. gain, moderately strenuous, 2.5 hours. Highest of all the accessible Morros. From Highway 1, go west on Highland Drive, then right on Patricia Drive. Park at trailhead on Patricia Dr. just before reaching Anacapa Circle (35.304426, -120.685485).
3:30 pm, Cerro Cabrillo, 2.5 miles, 800 ft. gain, strenuous, 2 hours. 360o views of the Santa Lucia Mts. and the coastline. Meet at Quarry Trail trailhead on South Bay Blvd, 1.4 miles south of Highway 1 or 0.4 miles north of Turri Rd (35.346486, -120.825325).
6:00 pm, Black Hill, 3.0 miles, 650 ft. gain, moderate, 1.5 hours. Ocean views from Montaña de Oro State Park north to San Simeon. From South Bay Boulevard, drive into Morro Bay State Park on Main Street. Meet at the parking area on the north side of the road, next to restrooms opposite the boat marina, just east of the campground entrance (35.345694, -120.839693).