January 16, 2025 - Montana de Oro, Return to Fresno

 

Title: January 16, 2025 - Montana de Oro, Return to Fresno
Hike Info : Description :  Menu : Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking Car

Trail head: Bishop Peak Trailhead on Foothill Road

Trail: Bishop Peak

Destination: Bishop Peak

Actual Destination: I pooped out after half of a mile 

Distance:  0.85 miles ¹

Start Time: 11:52

End Time:     1:17

Travel Time:  1:25 (0.60 mph)

Moving Time:  0:40  (1.27 mph)

Elevation Rise:  401'

Descent: 392‘

Maximum Elevation: 680'

GPS Tracks

  ¹This is the amount which Gary did. Sherri and Steven went further, maybe 2-3 times further.

Description:

I slept warmer last night. Maybe it was having two pairs of socks on or maybe because it felt warmer most of the night until about 6 this morning. The wind started blowing then and the chill factor went up. I finally woke up at 7:30, but I learned my lesson yesterday and did not escape the warmth of my sleeping bag until 8:30.

When I got up, I took Korra for a walk just to the Spooner Cove and then back. I think Steven had already taken her out earlier. He slept in his hammock. Apparently he slept warm, but the bright moon got in the way of sleep.

While Sherri fixed our pancake and bacon breakfast, I cleaned out our tent and took it down.. Steven got our car packed. Even with all of this, it was after 11 before we left our campsite.

Bishop and Gary

 

 

 

We decided to climb Bishop Peak outside of San Luis Obispo, since Korra can go here. We have used a couple different trailheads in our past climbs of Bishop. Steven suggests we use the one on Foothill Blvd. When we get there, there are signs on a fence blocking the trail saying Private Property. I am concerned because I know some hikers disregard private property. We discuss it and decide to go to one of the other trailheads. But I spotted a sign which indicates that it is OK to hike it during daylight hours, just be responsible hikers. I asked a man in his vehicle and he indicated this is OK. Steven and I talked-he indicates that he tried to communicate that to me. So we go over the fence, some more limberly than others.

 

 

 

Korra watching Sherri climb up a slope

Now the fun starts. Steven and Korra take the lead. We all cross a bog before going up the slope towards Bishop. I immediately go into a very slow stride up the slope. I pass up Sherri, but I can feel the climb. On my first break, having caught up with Steven, he tells me that this trail is shorter than the other trails. In my mind, that says that this already moderately-strenuous trail is even more strenuous.

View from as far as Steven and Sherri went

I do not have long to wait to see how strenuous it could be. The trail goes even steeper, not hand held steep, still enough that I am glad I have my poles and there are some worn steps. Sherri has been catching up with me and we all stop and rest under the shade of some trees.

San Luis Obispo

A few minutes later, we set off again. After going up about another 20’, I am breathing hard and feeling like I need to stop. I tell the others to go ahead. I will decide if I want to continue going up. There is a nice little place to sit and that is what I do. I think it is a few minutes later, but in reality I think it is about 20. As I am thinking of going on up, Steven sends a text with a picture which looks like a pretty gnarly climb. Maybe I will not go up. Then Steven said they are considering going out another way.

Los Osos Road area

That convinces me that maybe I should not go up and that I may be of more use in going down. I picked my way down the very steep part, even scooting on my seat for a short time. But for the most part, it was a lot easier going down than going up.

Gary plodding back to the car

When I get to the car, I read and wait. I get an occasional report about what is going on. Then they get about 0.2 miles from the Highland Trailhead. So I scurry to get over to that trailhead. It takes me about 10 minutes, at least I think that, to get to that trailhead and I find them waiting for me. I ferry Steven and Korra back to their car.

Bishop Peak

Steven recommends that we go to the Firestone Walker Tap Room in Paso Robles. It sounds good to all of us and off we go. Steven arrives there before we do and has a table waiting for us. Sherri wants to share a burger and salad-I want all of my burger, being the stingy guy I am. All in all, we are content and well satisfied with our meal. Then it is time to travel home. It is about a two hour trip home and Sherri and I get there about 5:45. Steven got home before us. It was a good trip.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Pancakes, syrup, jam	Firestone Walker Tap Room	Home	Energy Bars, Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's

Steven and Gary

Gary and Sherri on the initial climb