From Wildfire to Wildflowers

Cerro Alto means high hill in Spanish. The 2,620-foot mountain, located along West Cuesta Ridge in the midst of San Luis Obispo County’s coastal mountains, is certainly high enough to offer grand coastal views from San Simeon to Point Sal.

The serious fire of August 1994 scorched West Cuesta Ridge, including the slopes of Cerro Alto. For a long time thereafter, signs along the highway offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist of this blaze.

Abundant wildflowers blooming on Cerro Alto’s slopes during the spring after the fire offered nature lovers some consolation, as well as hope for the future. Depending on the Central Coast’s doses of sunshine and rain, this spring’s wildflower show could be similarly picturesque.

Before the devastating fire of August 1994, these slopes, heavily cloaked in chaparral, were not known for their wildflower displays. Some flowers to look for on Cerro Alto are white milkmaids, purple lupine and orange California poppies.

While it will be many years before the vegetation on Cerro Alto fully recovers from the fire, the main attraction of Cerro Alto Trail--its splendid view--remains unaltered; in fact, with the brush burned away, vistas may even have improved.

The camp has since been reopened, and is now operated by Parks Management Co. (805) 772-4399, a private concessionaire. Camping is $16 a night, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Day-use parking is not permitted at the campground: Bikers must leave their vehicles at a small lot near California 41 and walk three-quarters of a mile along the campground road to the trail head.

Most of Cerro Alto Trail, even before the fire, was unshaded, so get an early start. If you are seeking a pleasant family walk rather than a summit climb, I suggest the 2 1/2-mile loop on the slopes above the campground.

Directions to trail head: From U.S. 101 in Atascadero, take Highway 41 exit and head west eight miles to the turnoff for the campground on the south side of the highway. From California 1 just north of Morro Bay, turn east on Highway 41 and drive 7.5 miles to the campground turnoff. Park by the information boards and walk up the road.

The more obvious trail head, signed “‘Cerro Alto Trail” is at the far end of the campground beyond the traffic turnaround. However, this walk begins a bit lower, at the wooden footbridge leading over Morro Creek.

The hike: Cross Morro Creek on the bridge. The path first meanders through a seared but unbowed live oak woodland, then climbs steeper, chaparral-covered slopes.

Three-quarters of a mile from the trail head is a junction with a four-wheel-drive vehicle road. Turn left, walking 200 yards to a junction with the summit trail. The old road (your optional return route) contours west, but Cerro Alto Trail begins a steep climb.

A quarter-mile farther, you’ll pass a grove of oak and bay, then continue another half a mile to some switchbacks and views of Cambria and Morro Bay.

A quarter-mile from the summit, the trail joins a road. Turn left and circle the summit as you ascend. From the summit, enjoy clear-day views of Piedra Blanca Light Station north of San Simeon, and perhaps as far south down the coast to Point Sal in Santa Barbara County. To the northeast is the city of Atascadero; farther east, the austere Temblor Range.

Back at the junction with the old road, you can turn right to take a different route back.

The road passes some burned-out bay trees, and farther on, some blacked madrono. (cq-rrg) The road leads to a trail, which descends the drainage of Upper Morro Creek to Cerro Alto Campground.

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Cerro Alto Trail

WHERE: Los Padres National Forest.

DISTANCE: From campground to Cerro Alto Peak is 4 miles round trip with 1,600-foot elevation gain; optional return route totals 5 3/4-mile round trip. (Add another 1 1/2 miles round trip for walk up and down campground road.)

TERRAIN: Rugged chaparral-covered slopes.

HIGHLIGHTS: Coast range panoramas.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Santa Lucia District, Los Padres National Forest, 1616 Carlotti Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454. tel. (805) 925-9538.