Bishop Peak via Foothill Boulevard

Bishop Peak is the tallest of the nine Morros, also called the Nine Sisters, a chain of peaks stretching from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. As the hardened plug to an ancient volcano, much of the land that once surrounded it has eroded away, leaving a rugged hike with epic views over the surrounding land, stretching out to the ocean in Pismo Beach and Guadalupe. It is a very popular hike, and it can get pretty crowded on weekends. And as far as the hike goes, of the multiple trails that climb the mountain, the trail beginning at Foothill Boulevard is the shortest and steepest route. The trail begins up a dirt path through a ranch before becoming steep and slick, requiring some scrambling up rough and silty rock. Eventually the trail meets up with the trail that begins at Highland Drive, and the remainder is steady switchbacks to a couple of benches nestled in a saddle near the top. (It is possible to hop large boulders to get to the actual summit. However, this can be dangerous and people have died here, so proceed only if you have the ability.) The peak is high enough to make the visible city below feel far away. From here, retrace your path back down to the trailhead. There are no amenities of any kind anywhere along the hike. Much of the hike has no shade, so make sure to carry water and sun protection.