The hike to Black Hill summit is 3 miles round trip with 600-foot elevation gain.
Black Hill is the second of the Nine Sisters, a string of ancient volcanic peaks that span the 12 miles between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. On clear days hikers at the peak are rewarded with views of both the coastline and inland rolling hills.
Springtime finds Black Hill, like her sisters, awash with native wildflowers including poppies, lupine, sticky monkey flower and the fuchsia flowering gooseberry.
Poison oak abounds off the trail, so keep Duke leashed and on the trail to avoid this pesky bandit whose oils will adhere to dog hair and easily spread to affectionate owners.
Directions to trailhead:
• Follow Coast Highway for 12 miles north of San Luis Obispo to the Los Osos-Baywood Park exit just before Morro Bay.
• Turn south on South Bay Boulevard and go 0.75 mile to Morro Bay State Park entrance.
• Bear left on the first fork beyond the entrance, heading one mile to the campground entrance directly across from the state park marina lot, where you should park.
• Park along the first crossroads inside the campground. Walk up the campground road to join the trail.
