In doing a bit of research for an Earthcache (see http://www.earthcache.org/) I want to set up in this area I was told about Lowe mountain. (You can now also visit the Earthcache site THE MORROS and log your first Earthcache!), Lowe mountain is an excellent spot to view the Morro's, a chain of extinct vocanoes, that run through San Luis Obispo County. I decided if I were going to set up this as an Earthcache I might as well place a standard cache also.
The Morros, also known as the Seven Sisters, the Nine Sisters, are nine peaks that stretch from Morro rock in Morro Bay to Islay Hill just South of San Luis Obispo. And a possible tenth 'Morro', Davidson Seamount, lies Northwest of Morro Bay deep in the Pacific.
The Morros are a chain of extinct volcanoes that have eroded down to the plugs of hardened lava in the "necks" of the peaks. The volcanic cones have eroded away since they stopped erupting some 20 or so million years ago.
All of them are volcanic plugs dating from the early Miocene 20–25 million years ago. All formed as an abrupt change in the local tectonic regime opened this subduction wedge to rhyodacitic volcanism. The sticky, high-silica lavas of the Morros, which once were the deep cores of volcanoes, contrast vividly with the surrounding serpentinite and melange of the Franciscan formation.
This is a strenuous hike or bike ride of about 8 miles round trip and a bit over 1000 foot climb. It took me about 2 hours to ride in and less than an hour back. Be aware there are some steep areas where you might likely be pushing a bike instead of riding. The road is well graded and in fair to good condition.
Parking is at waypoint 35 21 004, 120 37 900 near the top of Cuesta Grade just on the North side as you pass the Cuesta Grade sign, just past the callbox. If you are coming from the North you will need to cross over the crest and drive about 1.8 miles down the grade until you are able to legally cross over and turn around. Just be careful of the Northbound traffic. There is parking near the gate or alongside the highway. You will need to crawl over a barbwire fence and if you are biking this trip you will need to lift your bike over the fence. The gate is locked but it is legal to walk or ride the road. The first 3/4 of a mile is about the hardest and it gets better after that but not easy. If you are in decent shape physically you should have no difficulty. (I'm 59 and am not an athlete by any means.)
You will find this a gorgeous hike/ride. The view of the area is stupendous! The day I biked this it was sunny but had some haze and even so I could see from Morro rock to Point Sal.
You will pass through interesting geological areas, the rocks convoluted and twisted are part of the Monterey Formation and include mudstone, chert, and a variety of chert informally known as "porcelainite" because it looks like porcelain. These are sedimentary rocks that was laid down beneath the Pacific Ocean in layers millions of years ago. You can see where the rocks have been bent, twisted and at times mutilated into an mass where layers are hard to define.
You will pass through a stark, blackened area where the many black, dead, skeletal trees will remind you of the awesome Highway 41 wildfire that burnt through here that began on August 14, 1994. When it was over, 49,000 acres and 43 homes were destroyed.
For those of you that want to continue on past the cache the road continues about 3 miles or so until it reaches a locked gate. That is the end of public access on Lowe Mountain road. But if you are hiking and want more, just about 1/2 mile past the cache is a hiking trail that will take you as far as Lopez Lake.
Geo_cats are proud members of the Poison Oak Cachers.