March Walkahike (3-2)

From a less heralded summit northeast of San Luis Obispo, you will find triumphant views of the peaks and valleys surrounding this gem on the Central Coast. The hike from Reservoir Canyon to this 1,715-foot crown is not for the meek. The 5.35-mile round trip hike ascends 1,350 feet, and over 800 of those feet come in the final grueling mile. The effort is rewarded with an exceptional 360-degree panorama from the top, and there are other points of interest along the way to spur you on, like a waterfall and a puzzling collection of scrap metal sculptures.
The hike begins from a trailhead in the 520-acre Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve, located just off the 101 Freeway at the base of Cuesta Grade. The main trail continues straight in line with the road to the parking area, while another veers to the right. Take the trail to the right for a two-minute detour to a charming 30-foot waterfall. Reservoir Creek Falls cascades down a slope of black rock into a shallow oak-shaded pool. A single-track climbs up the left side of the falls, cutting through the forest to rejoin the main trail leaving the parking lot.

a very pretty mushroom popping up

Cuesta Grade in the background

It was an awesome hike, it took us 2 hrs to go up and about that much to come down...it felt good, but oh are we sore today, 2 days later, we heard later as we were at the car, we missed seeing the 'The in-ground bench at the summit" I guess we needed to turn left and go up a little knoll...but we weren't turning back.