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A Hike Up Bishop's Peak

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Tartaglia Homes 01737498

Today I picked up my camera, a backpack and the world's best hiking buddy, Riley, and took to the trails. Initially I had planned to hike up Valencia Peak in Montana De Oro but realized that dogs are not allowed in that wilderness. I readjusted my plans to hike up Bishop's Peak in San Luis Obispo.

To get to the trail head you simply drive West on Foothil Boulevard in San Luis Obispo and stop at the pullout just past the last residential neighborhood leaving SLO. The trail is very well maintained and accomodating for dogs and hikers alike. The beginning starts a little bit steep and climbs up into some wonderful Oak Trees and then shoots you right into the sage brush, wildflowers and large stone staircases heading up to the top of Bishop's Peak.

Along the trail you can expect lots of switchbacks and single track which make the ascent pretty easy to make. As you walk you will notice the change in local flora and fona and at the top you will pretty much be limited to types of sage, brush and vultures among very large boulders. Bishop's Peak is an inactive volcanic core and as such large boulders are prevalent and large rock faces make great challenges for local rock climbers.

A little bit about how the peak got it's name. It has been said that when the missionaries from Mission San Luis Obispo named the peak along with the remaining 'Nine Sisters', they looked at the shape of the mountain and recognized it as a Bishop's miter. In the 1800's and early 1900's the stone from the mountain was mined and used for structures in San Luis Obispo. This is one of the iconic peaks of San Luis Obispo County and sees regular hiking traffic and is preserved by local hiking organizations.

Click here for the map of the trail

"The trail brings the traveler suddenly in sight of
Bishop Peak... 
The town is fairly encircled with beautiful hills...
the one just named being most conspicuous."

John Muir, 1883

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