Saturday, April 10, 2010

Valencia Peak Trail, Montana de Oro State Park, California


Distance: 4.1 miles (6.6 km) round trip
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Elevation: 50-1350 feet (15 - 410 meters)
Time of Year: Year Round


Valencia Peak is located in the heart of Montana de Oro State Park, located just south of Morro Bay and northwest of San Luis Obispo. This 1350 foot peak offers spectacular views of the Central Coast and Cuesta Ridge and gives a hiker a good upclose look at the unique coastal sage scrub habitat. The trail is relatively short, at just about 2 miles one way, but it is pretty steep, climing 1300 feet in elevation over that time. Thus, you quickly have great views and they continue to get more expansive as you climb.

The view of the coast from the trailhead

To access the trail, you drive south from Morro Bay or north from San Luis Obispo on CA Highway 1. Take the exit for Los Osos, which also has brown signs for Morro Bay State Park and Montana de Oro State Park. From this point on, just keep following the brown signs for Montana de Oro State Park through the town of Los Osos (Valley of the Bears). The road will enter the state park and you will pass numerous trails and eucalyptus groves. Keep driving until you reach the campground and the trailhead is located on the left just after the campground.

Hilina and Jeff starting out from the beginning of the trail

The parking area may be busy, because the bluffs trail leaves to the left and that easy trail along the bluffs and to the Corallina Tidepools is very popular. The trail starts out in a mixed sage scrub/grassland habitat. Be on the lookout for small hidden poison oak at the edge of the trail and ticks on the grass. The trick is, don't be first on the trail. Let others brush the ticks off the overhanging grass first.

The false summit in the foreground and Valencia Peak behind it

As of mid-April, the trail has not been cleared by the trail crews, so there was a significant amount of grass and brush overhanging the trail, so be on the look out. But, I am sure they will clear it soon. The trail heads across an ancient marine terrace (formerly under water) made up of conglomerates. Then, it climbs up to a platform and heads steadily across the sage scrub toward a smaller hill below Valencia Peak beyond it.


At first it seems weird to be climbing this smaller hill, as it looks like you should go around it to the main peak. But, as you will find out at the top, it is actually connected to Valencia Peak by a ridge. The trail then wraps around Valencia Peak proper past beautiful lupines, poppies, and indian paintbrush.


While on the ridgeline between the two hills, a huge basin drops down to the sea. It really reminds me of what hiking on the Channel Islands must be like (although I haven't been). It just seems so wild and untouched.


At the summit, there are beautiful views of Cuesta Ridge and its cypress stands, Morro Rock and several of the other 9 "morros", and the coastline. Despite the numerous trails across the state park that are visible from the summit, it is recommended you return the way you came, as the others were described by located as very "ticky" and "full of poison oak".

The view from the summit

One thing you may notice is how grasses dominate the sunny south slopes that are more arid and less shaded, while scrubs dominate the slightly cooler north-facing slopes

Poppies on the way down

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

If at all, you choose an inexperienced lawyer or a novice, you run a
risk of losing the claim while the entire purpose of
your filing the claim is simply lost away. Angela the bomber
is at the hospital with Sydelle, refusing plastic surgery for the
scars on her face and also refusing to see Denton. Theo Theodorakis, Doug Hoo and Turtle Wexler listen as the two men tell them how
a pair of kids went into the Westing house on Halloween for a bet.



Here is my web-site: Personal Injury Lawyer; speaking-Lyrics.tumblr.com,

Anonymous said...

jordan legend 11, jordan legend blue 11, 378037-117,air jordan 11s legend blue, air jordan 11 legend blue,
legend blue 11s 2014, legend blue 11s, jordan 11 legend blue, retro legend blue 11s, jordan 11s legend, pre order legend blue 11s, 378037-117, air jordan legend 11s, legend 11s, legend blue 11s, air jordan 11s legend blue, jordan legend 11s, legend 11s 2014, retro legend 11s, pre order legend 11s, 378037-117,air jordan 11s legend blue ,pre order legend blue 11s ,legend blue 11s ,jordan 11s legend blue ,retro legend blue 11s ,jordan 11s legend ,pre order legend blue 11 ,378037-117 ,air jordan 6s black infrared ,black infrared 6s ,jordan infrared 6s ,infrared 6s ,jordan 6s black infrared ,pre order black infrared 6s,384664-023,cheap black infrared 6s ,384664-023 ,legend blue 11s ,jordan legend 11s ,jordan legend blue 11s ,legend 11s ,378037-117

Unknown said...

air max 90
tiffany and co
adidas outlet
cheap nhl jerseys
los angeles lakers jerseys
oakley sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses
calvin klein outlet
san francisco 49ers jerseys
vans shoes
toms shoes
louis vuitton outlet
true religion jeans, http://www.truereligionoutletstore.us.com
air jordan shoes
abercrombie and fitch
cheap football shirts
manchester united jersey
ray ban
tods outlet
swarovski crystal
nike outlet store
replica watches
cartier love bracelet
koby bryant shoes
beats headphones
cheap oakley sunglasses
ed hardy clothing
air jordan 11
kansas city chiefs jerseys
nike air max uk
supra shoes
thomas sabo uk
ugg uk
oakley outlet
north face jackets
tiffany jewelry
cheap jordans
adidas shoes
oakley sunglasses
0803maoqiuyun

xjd7410@gmail.com said...

20150908 junda
michael kors
louboutin pas cher
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
soccer jerseys wholesale
ray ban sunglass
prada handbags
ugg australia
adidas uk
nike blazer
fitflops sale clearance
air force 1
longchamp outlet
jordan shoes
michael kors outlet online
new balance outlet
prada outlet
ugg boots sale
kate spade handbags
ray bans
adidas gazelle trainers
polo ralph lauren outlet
barbour uk
north face uk
michael kors handbags
ray ban outlet
ray ban sunglasses
michael kors uk
uggs outlet
ralph lauren uk
michael kors handbag
nike free run 5.0
oakley sunglasses sale
canada goose uk
toms wedges
cheap soccer shoes
coach outlet online
adidas shoes
oakley sunglasses wholesale
coach factory outlet

Unknown said...

ferragamo outlet
ugg outlet uk
gucci outlet
karen millen uk
tiffany and co
tods outlet
giuseppe zanotti outlet
baltimore ravens
woolrich outlet store
air max 2014
louis vuitton,borse louis vuitton,louis vuitton sito ufficiale,louis vuitton outlet
ugg boots
boston celtics
cheap ugg boots
cheap nfl jersey
new orleans saints
lacoste shirts
tods shoes
valentino outlet
supra shoes
nba jerseys
1024minko

Unknown said...

20160402 junda
adidas gazelle
nike trainers
mizuno running shoes
coach factory outlet
coach outlet
true religion outlet
burberry outlet online
coach outlet
kate spade handbags
louis vuitton pas cher
ralph lauren outlet
rolex submariner
running shoes
michael kors outlet
lacoste shoes
converse shoes
jimmy choo outlet
kate spade outlet
toms shoes
burberry outlet
michael kors outlet online
burberry outlet
puma shoes
ghd flat iron
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet
sac longchamp pliage
ecco shoes
coach factory outlet
versace shoes
pandora charms
coach outlet
michael kors outlet online
designer handbags
canada goose uk
michael kors outlet online
christian louboutin outlet
burberry outlet
cartier watches
canada goose outlet

John said...

toms outlet
burberry outlet
yeezy boost 350
ecco shoes
oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet clearance
jordan pas cher
designer handbags
coach outlet online
lebron james shoes 2016
nike air force
coach outlet
oakley sunglasses outlet
levis 501
louboutin outlet
red bottoms outlet online
nike air max
rolex watches uk
instyler max
ugg outlet
coach outlet store online
nike tn
oakley sunglasses
burberry outlet
black timberland boots
michael kors handbags outlet
oakley sunglasses
ray ban sunglass,ray ban sunglasses,ray ban outlet,cheap ray bans,cheap ray ban sunglasses,cheap ray bans,ray bans
cheap oakleys
fitflops sale
nike air max uk
fitflop uk
wholesale nike shoes
oakley vault sunglasses
air force 1
coach purses
2016628yuanyuan

xumeiqing said...

20160906meiqing
coach outlet
louboutin pas cher
ralph lauren outlet
ferragamo shoes
ysl outlet
louboutin outlet
north face jackets
ralph lauren outlet online
abercrombie and fitch outlet
birkenstock sandals
ugg outlet
fitflops
true religion
michael kors outlet
yeezy boost 350
cheap jordans
rolex replica watches
ralph lauren outlet
ugg boots
canada goose jackets
rolex watches
michael kors outlet
nike trainers
ray ban sunglasses
bottega veneta handbags
coach outlet online
pandora charms
longchamp outlet
true religion outlet
canada goose pas cher
doudoune moncler
adidas gazelle
canada goose parka
longchamp bags
air jordan retro
birkenstocks
the north face
louis vuitton factory outlet

nissa said...

These are peaceful settings.

Unknown said...

tory burch shoes
yeezy boost 350 v2
adidas ultra boost
nike basketball shoes
nike air max 90
goyard wallet
yeezy
yeezy boost
yeezy 500
adidas nmd

Unknown said...

adidas superstar
yeezy boost 350
golden goose starter
yeezy shoes
calvin klein underwear
ysl handbags
adidas tubular
goyard
moncler jackets
birkin bag

QQQQQQQQQ said...

kobe shoes
air jordan 4
lebron 15
goyard bags
longchamp outlet
adidas tubular
cheap nfl jerseys
golden goose
kevin durant shoes
golden goose

SSSSSS said...

tom ford eyewear
asics running shoes
jordan 11
real jordans for sale cheap
lebron soldier 11
adidas zx flux
nike roshe run
michael kors outlet
kobe shoes
golden goose

Unknown said...

www1013

jordans
north face
ray ban sunglasses
ecco shoes
christmas presents
louboutin shoes
asics shoes
moncler outlet
ugg outlet clearance
ugg boots




Unknown said...

lebron james shoes
hermes belt
coach outlet
jordan retro
ferragamo belt
stephen curry 5
michael kors handbags
jordan 13
yeezy boost 350 v2
asics shoes

thathe said...

website here More about the author directory check out here Visit This Link visit our website

lathoash said...

informative post web helpful hints Web Site official source www.dolabuy.ru

Just Giving Back For All To Enjoy

Why pay money to buy hiking books? Why pay fees to view trail websites? By searching my archives and checking back often to see new posts, we are sure you will be able to find the hike that is right for you ... and for free!

In addition, we provide fascinating ecological and geological information to make the hikes informative and fun. As former National Park Rangers, we know how to find the right hike for you. So, if you are on vacation, we will provide you with the hike you absolutely MUST do while in an area. Do not go on vacation without checking out this site!