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Cerro Alto Upper Trail

Los Padres National Forest, California

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Cerro Alto Upper Trail is a hiking and biking trail in San Luis Obispo County, California. It is within Los Padres National Forest. It is 0.8 miles long and begins at 1,678 feet altitude. Traveling the entire trail is 1.6 miles with a total elevation gain of 841 feet.

DirectionsTopo MapTrip ReportsPhotosGPS

Distance0.8mi
Elevation Gain841ft
Trailhead Elevation1,678ft
Top2,439ft
Elevation Min/Max1678/2439ft
Elevation Start/End1678/1678ft

Cerro Alto Upper Trail

Cerro Alto Upper Trail is a hiking and biking trail in San Luis Obispo County, California. It is within Los Padres National Forest. It is 0.8 miles long and begins at 1,678 feet altitude. Traveling the entire trail is 1.6 miles with a total elevation gain of 841 feet. This trail connects with the following: At&T Trail.

Cerro Alto Upper Trail Professional Guides

Detailed Trail Descriptions from Our Guidebooks

100 Classic Hikes in Southern California (The Mountaineers Books)
Allen Riedel
"Cerro Alto is one of the taller mountains in San Luis Obispo County, and the highest along the West Cuesta Ridge. The views and scenery from its summit are a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the region, with views extending for miles and miles. In spring expect a show from wildflowers, though the area gets dry and hot toward midsummer. There is shade only on the lower portions of the hike, and as the trail snakes its way up through the canyons, the hillsides are grass-covered with coastal scrub."

Cerro Alto Upper Trail Trip Reports

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Carl L.
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1/2/2019
This is a 1,624 ft. climb so this hike is a workout. The journey begins beside a small creek. Soon you climb out of the canyon & to vistas of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. The views in all directions from the peak are spectacular. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the trek back down to the trailhead. This hike will rejuvenate your soul.

Visit hikingthegoldenstate.com for additional details.
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Alexandra L.
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5/1/2011
I did a version of this with the other loop ride. It is steep climbinb especially if you stick with the single track over the double track. A farily average ride with a little exposure, loose surfaces, a few techy spots but mostly steep and easy.
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Tiffany G.
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11/29/2009
The summit is wonderful. You have a 360 degree view of everything, including Morro Rock and the coastline. It took about 2 hours to reach the top, and about 30 to 45 minutes to get back down. I highly reccomend this one; it seems family friendly as well. Dogs are allowed.
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Michael L.
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5/29/2003

Great trail, but not easy to moderate. Can get really hot in the summer. Highly recommend this one.
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Cerro Alto Upper Trail Photos

Trail Information

Los Padres National Forest
Nearby City
Los Padres National Forest
Parks
USGS Atascadero, The Mountain Biking Map for San Luis Obispo
Local Maps

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