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.
Jan-Feb 2025 Outings
Sign-up for hikes in Meetup HERE
Wednesday, January 8, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Poly Canyon and Archy Graveyard. This is a moderately difficult hike of 9.2 miles and 2020 vertical feet of ascent. Poles are useful in places. We’ll start and finish at Stenner Creek Trailhead. We will hike out to Poly Canyon Road through Cal Poly rangeland, by a few groups of cows and calves. We will head down Poly Canyon Rd past the arch for the Architectural Graveyard to a climb up the back of the ridge and the hilltop above the "P" then back down to Poly Canyon. From there, we will walk past the Archy Graveyard and then up and around Serenity Hill to return to Stenner trailhead.
You must be in hiking condition for this longer hike. Bring 2 liters of water and snacks. Some trails are muddy, if it’s excessive, we will hike elsewhere. Rain cancels, no dogs.
Route: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/MshOrqDBMQDGkUsstshRKj21
Contact Vickie via message on Meetup when hike is posted on meetup with questions. Or call 805-550-1181
Tuesday, January 14, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Duna Vista, 7 miles round trip (moderate level). Duna Vista is a 1,178 ft summit overlook with a 360-degree view that includes Lopez Lake, the Pacific Ocean, Oceano Dunes and the Santa Lucia Mountains. Access to the hike is through Lopez Lake Recreation Area entrance station. There is a $6 entrance fee per car on Tuesdays. We will first meet at Strother Park at 9 am and caravan together. Strother Park is located at 1150 Huasna Rd. Arroyo Grande, about 2 miles east of the Arroyo Grande village. I will be standing near the entrance of the parking area on the grassy area on the left as you enter.
After entering the park, drive 1.3 miles from the entrance to the end of the road and park on the right before the locked gate. From here we follow an unpaved road along the lakeshore past French Camp to the Tuouski trailhead. The trail winds through oak forests on the bluff curving along the contours of the hills overlooking Lopez Lake. At the halfway point we will reach the Duna Vista knoll where we will stop for food and rest.
This is a narrow dirt trail with some steep sections. Wear sturdy shoes and bring 1½ liters of water and a snack. Dogs on a leash are permitted.
Be prepared for a beautiful hike. Bring your enthusiasm and good cheer!
Contact hike leader Lorrie Erno 805-980-8824
Wednesdays, January 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 12, 26, 9:00 – 11:00am, Pismo Preserve. Meet by the bathroom for a 4-mile moderately paced hike to be determined that morning. Directions: Highway 101 north or south to Pismo Beach. Get off at Shell Beach Road, go .2 miles to Mattie Road, go 400 feet and turn into the parking lot. Bring water, good shoes, hat, dress in layers. Rain or threat of rain cancels. For more info contact Andrea at 805-934-2792.
Sunday, January 19th, 10:00am, East Cuesta Ridge Road to Mt. Lowe (Hike #90 in Day Hikes of SLO County). Typically, this is a reliable hike (and one of my favorites) to do in winter on a wide unpaved road with lovely vistas. 7 miles round trip. Driving directions: From Highway 101 in SLO head north up the Cuesta Grade to the summit pullout on the right - just 150 yards after the sign "Cuesta Grade 1522 feet." If driving from the north, you will need to pass over the grade and do a U turn. Please bring a snack or lunch and water.
For more info, text Bonnie at 805-801-6148.
Saturday, January 25, 8:30am, Twin Rocks Trail. This is an 8-mile moderately strenuous out and back trail along an old OHV road with glorious views of the Cuyama Valley and back country. There are some very steep parts, so poles are recommended. Because the trailhead is tricky to find, we will meet at Rancho Nipomo Barbeque, 108 Cuyama Ln, Nipomo - at the intersection of highways 101 and 166. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the trailhead. Bring 3 liters of water, snacks, good shoes, hat, dress in layers. Rain or threat of rain cancels.
For more info contact Andrea at 805-934-2792.
Saturday, February 1, 9:00am, Gifford Loop Trail. Meet 8:30 am at the caravan meeting place, or 9 am at the trailhead. Gifford Loop Trail is a moderately strenuous 9-mile lollipop trail that goes through rolling hills, interesting rock formations, and the old Gifford homestead.
We will meet 8:30 am at the intersection of Highways 101 and 166 in front of Rancho Nipomo Barbeque, which is at 108 Cuyama Ln, Nipomo. Alternatively you can meet us at 9:00 am at the trailhead. Directions to trailhead: go north or south on 101 until you get to the intersection of 166 East (at the north end of Santa Maria). Go East on 166 and go 34 miles. Slow down and look for the entrance at the left of the freeway. Enter and park.
Bring 3 liters water, snacks, good shoes, hat, dress in layers. Rain or threat of rain cancels.
For more info contact Andrea at 805-934-2792.
Wednesday February 19 at 9:00am – 1:00pm, Montaña de Oro East Boundary Trail. This hike is 7.4 miles, with 1633 vertical feet of ascent. It is a moderately difficult hike, consider poles.
Starting at Horse Camp parking by the gate on Pecho Rd, it’s an easy walk down Hazard Canyon Road to East Boundary. Then we take EB for a few not so easy miles to Islay Rd, then up Barranca to Manzanita, and finally a bit of Hazard Canyon on return. Poles are a real help. Bring 2 liters of water and snacks. This is in Montaña de Oro State Park - no dogs. Rain cancels.
Route: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/jY3MA0AZJJNPeqpXA29NDTUn
Contact Vickie via message on Meetup when hike is posted on meetup or call 805-550-1181.
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 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.