Cerro San Luis...hiking the "M"

 

I posted earlier this week about the Lemon Grove Loop at Cerro San Luis and how in all my years of hiking the mountain I had never gone to the "M"

Well, it's no longer true!

 

 

 

Had a day off on Sunday so my friend T and I decided to go take a hike...we started out with no agenda and ended up doing an almost 5 mile hike.

We started with our usual Lemon Grove Loop, but when we got to the gate where we usually turn we decided to go for the round-a-bout the mountain trail.

Cerro San Luis is a member of the Morros, or Nine Sisters, a chain of prominent volcanic peaks stretching east from Morro Bay. These beautiful peaks set the postcard-like backdrop for San Luis Obispo and are excellent places to hike and I'm working my way through them!

There is a name for the hike up to the summit, to the "M" and the Lemon Grove Loop, but the trail that goes around has no name that I know of.

 

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=208855182361280466849.0004a2f849059ab82312b&msa=0

good Google map of mountain showing the trails.

 

This trail around the mountain has lots of splits and each time I've gone around I've mixed it up a bit choosing a slightly different path. The good thing about the trail systems around here is eventually you will get there as they all intersect.

 

Another thing to think about is other foot and or bike traffic.

I know many of us like to hike with earphones in, rocking out to some music, but I would recommend having only one earbud in so you can hear anyone coming up from behind upon the trail.

Most bikers will make use of the free bells at the base of the trail, but don't rely upon it & just be aware of your surroundings.

 

This time of year is dry, especially with our current drought, yet it is still stunning. The clouds rolling overhead creating gorgeous patterns in the sky.

I have hiked this spot countless times, yet I find myself snapping photos each time.

You traverse over ranch land going this route so you will occasionally see cows, which is always slightly amusing to my inner 5 year old. I know they can't hurt me, yet they slightly scare me...ha.

The backside of the mountain offers views of Bishop Peak and on this day it was just beautiful, I'm actually printing this pic to put on my wall.

 

Another thing to be careful of is the oh so pretty and potent position oak.

I had NEVER gotten it before in my life, yet earlier this year I did and it was not fun at all.

A good tip if you are allergic or not sure do NOT pet any cute dogs along the trail as they are very likely to have gotten it upon their fur and can transfer it to you.

Also, if you think you might be exposed once you get home wash all clothing immediately & bathe with dish soap. The dish soap works better than regular soap as it gets to the oil from the plant.

Also, the terrain can change quite a bit as you travel around the mountain. Some areas are a bit rocky, others more sand like. Make sure you have shoes that are comfortable, yet provide you with decent traction. I personally have a pair of trail running shoes I quite like as they have the traction I need, yet are fairly lightweight.

 

The view from the "M"

 

This is at an elevation of about 800 feet.

While the trail out to it off the main trail is not very long, it is a slight steady incline.

All in all this was a good hike and one more thing checked off of my hike it up list!

 

Until next time my friends

 

13 point what?

 

So, I'm thinking of doing this....

Am I a runner you ask, why no I am not.

(haha)

Well, on my journey to lose weight, inches and negative attitudes about what I can do I have been pushing myself out of my comfort zone...and this is well out of it!

13.1 miles

12 weeks to train

I figured out that to finish within the 3 hour "time limit"

(you can take longer, but the official course closes after 3 hours & no support staff etc.)

I would need to walk/run a 13 minute mile pace.

I believe it is an achievable goal?

Giving myself a couple days to think about it...and possibly do a few mile walk & pace myself to see just how much work I would need to put in

 



Lemon Grove Loop

Today is my day off, but of course I still woke up at 6am

ugh

So, I decided to do a little solo hike sesh to clear my head.

As you know I love to try new hikes, but I also have a few fave local trails. The advantage to a trail you do often is seeing your endurance & pace change in a positive manner.

Today was one of these, the Lemon Grove Loop at Cerro San Luis.

It is just a bit over 2 miles and has elevation changes of about 300 feet.

This trail does have some both some hilly & uneven terrain, but is also not crazy hard.

I find it to be relaxing to be exercising outside and get to appreciate our lovely scenery.

 

 

The fact that CA is experiencing a drought is obvious by the dryness on the hills, but yet the colors are still gorgeous. The blue sky was so crisp & clear against the green, gold & brown of the landscape.

 

 

One of my favorite parts of this trail is this shady grove of eucalyptus, it is just soothing to pass through. Bonus of  the chance to see butterflies there during our Monarch season here

(Nov-Feb)

 

There are a myriad of trails that go all around and traverse up this mountain.

The trail up to the top is about 3 miles with an elevation change of 1,100 feet and has some lovely views so it's definitely worth it.

There is also a trail split off of that one which goes to the big M on the side of the mountain

(the M by the way is for Mission School, not Madonna as many think)

 That is on my list to do (the M trail that is) as I've gone to the top & around countless times.

When I do I'll be sure and share with you my thoughts...

Now, time to relax a bit before enjoying some time at Farmer's Market this evening.

Bring on the fresh fruit & veggies...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hiking it up at Santa Margarita Lake

Day 10 of the IG challenge  #thirtyforthirtyone that

 WWW.operationskinnyjeans.com is hosting was spent doing a new (to me) hike up at Santa Margarita Lake with my friend E.

Grey Pine Trail to Eagle View which was described as 3.2 miles round trip with an elevation range of 230 feet and hiking time of 1.5 hours*

 

 Which to be honest was fairly spot on...we did the hike in 1 hour 23 minutes and according to our WWW.MapMyRide.com  app it was 3.39 miles

(we parked outside the park to save the $10)

Which really if you are going to do a 3+ mile hike you should be willing to walk an extra 1/4 of a mile right? That's what we thought at least & that extra $10 meant more $$ for lunch!

It was fairly warm day, 80+ in the sun, but the trail has a nice mix of shade and sun as it winds around. As you get closer to Eagle View and rise up in elevation you might get lucky like we did & get a bit of breeze to cool you off!

 

This was the view once we got to Eagle View, the lake is pretty low currently as we are experiencing a bit of a drought here in CA, but it is still quite lovely.

The was a bench which I of course felt I needed to climb upon for my Queen of the Mountain moment! If you can't have fun with your fitness you are taking your life just a bit too seriously in my humble little opinion. All in all a good new hike to add to the list...

PS

after our hike we stopped off for lunch at

WWW.southernstation.com

where E. had a cold IPA while I enjoyed a lovely cold glass of local wine while we split the Portobello sandwich & western Tri-tip sandwich.

The Portobello was delish and E. really loved the sweet potato fries.

Until next time, get out and enjoy!

 

 

 

* based on the book Day Hikes in San Luis Obispo County, CA by Robert Stone

first printing 2000

PlayDay at Sea

 

So, in an effort to show my brother's girlfriend E around our gorgeous bit of paradise AND get some exercise we decided to go to the coast and rent some kayaks.

Shout out to the cool people at

WWW.AvilaBeachPaddlesports.com

They lent me a dry bag to attach to my life vest so I could take the fab fun pictures you get to see here!! How cute is this little guy below?

We decided to cruise on out to the Port San Luis Lighthouse where we got lucky with the sun coming out so we could lose our sweatshirt layers and fully embrace the sunny beauty that is Avila Beach!

look at the fog just rolling right over that sweet little town...so lovely

We kayaked out to the small beach below the lighthouse where we pulled our kayaks onto the sand and took a walk up to check it out.

They have an amazing old fashioned rope swing near the top of the hill overlooking the ocean so of course we had to sit & swing for a moment. 

The lighthouse was a fun little break in our kayaking, but it was time to get back on the water and enjoy the sunny day. We hugged the coast back into port and went under the pier

(saw some starfish, but wasn't on the ball enough to get a pic)

 

I had to turn around and get this pic as E was slightly challenged on our return journey under the pier.

 All in all it was an excellent adventure, though not draining physically, it was a good workout.

We managed to stay mostly dry, but I recommend layers with a bathing suit so you can get some sun & splash around if you want. A towel and change of clothes for after is a great idea also! 

Pricewise it is reasonable for a fun morning or daytime adventure...$17 per hour for either SUP or kayak rental ( discount rate of $15 if you pay cash! )

Plus all of the staff was super nice & they didn't even laugh at my less than graceful exit out of my kayak at the dock!

Also this playday acted day 9 for the #thirtyforthirtyone IG challenge

 

 



mid year, new start?

So, it's July 1st, we are halfway through the year 2014

(PS how crazy is that?)

I came across this challenge from someone I follow on IG

and I decided it sounded like just the sort of push I needed.

So, in the spirit of getting moving I am also going to try and work on the book of hikes around SLO county I have, but haven't been using.

Day one of this challenge by the way was a walk on the Bob Jones Trail with my friend A and her son, who just might be the worlds cutest baby!

3.46 miles with an avg pace of a 20 min mile.

(slower walking when you have a fussy baby)

 



pushing through like a warrior

I did another mud run this past month, my third one so far, but in some ways it was more of  a challenge to me as there were a couple obstacles with some serious heights

(which I have a BIG problem with)

We also jumped over fire...which was a crazy thing to do, but look at the cool pictured I have to show for it? The Warrior Dash was a blast & I would do it again in a heartbeat!

My friends are amazing as they come out and try this crazy stuff with me : )

Next up is the third annual birthday mudrun in Sept!

I can't wait to take a picture to compare to my first year of doing it to now!