Santa Lucia Chapter Outings
All are welcome! Our hikes and activities are open to Sierra Club members and the public.
Join our Meetup Group to see SLO Sierra Club Outings and reserve your spot! Join our Meetup here: San Luis Obispo Sierra Club Meetup Group (San Luis Obispo, CA) | Meetup (Or go to Meetup and search for "San Luis Obispo Sierra Club Meetup Group")
Sign-up for hikes in Meetup HERE
Meetup is a free app and website. You can signup for hikes there, get notifications when new Sierra Club hikes are posted, and get notifications for day-of changes/updates.
Nov-Dec 2024 Outings
Sign-up for hikes in Meetup HERE
Saturday, Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m. Pimkolam Peak/Junipero Serra Peak
Strenuous, 11.5 miles, 4,000 ft. Elevation gain that will take apx. 7-8 hours to hike, but it is worth it to make it to the highest peak in the Santa Lucia range.
The hike starts at a beautiful Salinian village site, continues through grasslands, over creeks, through oak woodlands and then a conifer forest to an abandoned fire lookout. It is an in and out trail so hikers can go at their own pace and return with the group. Weather can vary so dress in layers. It may be very hot so bring 3 liters of water. There will be a lot of sun exposure and some overgrown brush so wear pants and long sleeves.
Directions to trailhead from Madonna Inn in SLO: It takes about 1.5-2 hours driving. Head north on 101 for 50ish miles to Jolon Road (exit 252). Take exit towards Fort Hunter Liggett for 22m, go left on Mission Rd for 5m, left onto Nacimiento Ferguson Rd for 2.5m, left on Del Venturi Rd. for 17m, find trailhead on your right.
Memorial Park Campground (reservations at www.recreation.gov) and the Historic Hearst Hacienda (831)386-2900 are both close by and are options for people to stay overnight on either end of the hike if they want to make those arrangements on their own - Camping is NOT organized by the Sierra Club.
Excessive heat, rain, or threat of rain cancels this event.
For more info contact Andrea at 805.934.2792, Sierrasmountains14@gmail.com
Weds November 20, at 9am-2pm, Stenner Creek
Strenuous, 8.9 miles, 2474 ft vertical
Meet at the Stenner Creek trailhead. Fantastic views of the coast and the morros. Hiking through old ranchland and hills behind Cal Poly. Not much shagde, but this is a good time of the year for it. Free parking at trailhead, up a very dusty all-weather ranch road past Poly animal pastures. Trails are a bit steep and rocky, but clear. PO is not much of a problem; ticks are possible. No dogs, poles for the usual suspects. Very strenuous if you don't regularly hike in the hills. Must carry 2 liters water and snacks/ or light lunch. Lunch afterwards in SLO for those interested. Rain cancels.
For more information contact Vicki 805-550-1181; slotomorrow@gmail.com.
Link to trail map: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/MIpoPbnqEbFSmBWm6aTc2qVF
Wednesday December 11, Reservoir Canyon loop to High School Hill at 9am-approx 1pm
Moderate, 6.75 miles, 1770 feet vertical. Estimated return time: around 1pm.
Reservoir Canyon loop up to High School Hill and along the ridge a ways, then back coming down into the creek area to return. Rocky, occasionally steep, some poison oak but not bad. Ticks are ever present. Medium difficulty hike, at a perky pace, 2 mi/hr. You must already be in shape and actively hiking to be comfortable on this. No dogs. Bring a day pack with 1 to 2 liters of water, snacks. Rain cancels.
For more information contact Vickie: 805-550-1181 slotomorrow@gmail.com.
Link to trail map:
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/fJ247tS0wlNiDGDAZAhXCmFN
Sat., December 21, 8:00 am.: Semi-annual Solstice Hike at Blinn Ranch Trail
Moderate/Strenuous hike, approx. 9 miles and elevation gain and loss of 600 feet.
Our popular semi-annual Winter Solstice Hike is BACK! We will meet in front of the Pacific Beverage Company in Santa Margarita at 8:00 am (22255 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita) and drive about 30 minutes to the trailhead at the end of River Road. This is an out and back hike from the Blinn Ranch Trailhead to Sapwi campground, located on the north lake shore. We will have lunch at the lake and then return the way we came. Along the way we'll enjoy beautiful views of the lake, stately gray pines and sweeping oak woodland studded with amazing sandstone. Depending on our hiking speed, we will likely return to the cars around 3:30-4pm.
Parking fees: $5 per car at the trailhead.
Please sign-up on Meetup. Call or text Lisa for more info 310-864-4679.
General rules & what to bring
- You must register in advance through Meetup.
- Bring drinking water to all outings and optionally a lunch or snacks.
- Sturdy footwear is recommended.
- Pets are generally NOT allowed.
- A parent or responsible adult must accompany children under the age of 18.
Any Questions?
If you have any suggestions for hikes or outdoor activities, questions about the Chapter’s outing policies, or would like to be an outings leader, call Outings Chair Lisa Ludovici at 310-864-4679, l.ludovici@outlook.com or Chuck Tribbey at 805-441-7597, cltquest@gmail.com. For information on a specific outing, please contact the listed outing leader.
National Outings
Environmentally friendly outdoor adventures around the world are available to people of all ages and abilities, whether you’re seeking lodge-based explorations or supported treks, backpack journeys or vacations nearly anywhere in the world. Go to sierraclub.org/outings, or call 415-977-5522, or contact national.outings@sierraclub.org.