Cave Landing and Pirate’s Cove

For my last post I thought why not talk about the best hiking trails San Luis Obispo has to offer. SLO is known for its outdoor adventures so what a perfect way to end, with beautiful scenery.

• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• Distance: 2 miles approximately
• Estimated Time: 1 hour
• Best Feature:Ocean Views best for sunset or sunrise viewing
• Worst Feature: Cave Landing overlooks Pirate’s Cove which is a nude beach.

I think one of the prettiest places is Cave Landing, right next to Avila Beach Golf Resort. Also known as Mallagh Landing it is a rocky promontory that juts out 150 feet into the sea, while below Pirates Cove is a crescent-shaped nude beach. To get their take the 101 South to Avila Beach exit. Follow the signs toward Avila Beach and then take a left on Cave Landing Road continue up until you reach the parking lot. One of the greatest things about Cave Landing and Pirate’s Cove is there are so many hidden trails. The main one takes you to the main cave and down to Pirates Cove. However, the best views are when you stay off the main trail and find the less explored ones. These also start at the parking lot but take you above on the top of the promontory so views from Avila Pier to Pismo’s Sand Dunes are visible.

View from Cave Landing

Bishop Peak

• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
• Elevation: 1,546 feet
• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Estimated Time: 2 hours
• Best Feature: The view of SLO and if clear enough to the ocean.
• Worst Feature: Well known hike with small trails and many switchbacks.

At two entrances start’s Bishop Peak, the Week of Welcome staple. Bishop Peak is the trail most freshman conquer in their first week and that most San Luis Obispo residents have climbed numerous times. Clair Hird a freshmen climbed it as soon as she got to SLO and , “I liked it a lot. It was super fun and the view from the top was amazing!”
The first trail starts at Patricia Trailhead, which is found heading west on Foothill Boulevard, turn right onto Patricia Drive. Follow Patricia Drive and just after Patricia Court is the trailhead on the left. While the second is Highland Trailhead located by heading west on Foothill Boulevard, turn right onto Patricia Drive. Continue north on Patricia Drive and make a left onto Highland Drive. Highland Drive ends at the Bishop Peak trailhead. From my experience the Highland Trailhead entrance is an easier hike than Patricia.
In addition Bishop Peak offers Felsmen Loop which is a moderate 1 hour hike around the base of Bishop. Start at the Patricia Trailhead entrance and follow the signs. Unfortunately, camping and dirt bikes are not allowed, but dogs are as long as they are leashed.
Bishop Peak also offers a wall for rock climbing at River Gorge, on your way up the trail people often can be seen rock climbing here instead of taking the hike up the mountain. Nate McLean and Brandon Fountain on a weekly basis rope climb at Bishop.” I climb about 4 -5 days a week and Bishop is my favorite spot.”

WOW 2010 on the top of Bishop

Reservoir Canyon

• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Elevation: 400-1,715
• Distance: 6.4 miles round trip
• Estimated Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
• Best Feature: Waterfalls and wild flowers.
• Worst Feature: Poison Oak and certain flowers only bloom in the spring.

Reservoir Canyon is known for is waterfalls and occasional vista breaks. The Canyon is part of undeveloped space maintained by San Luis Obispo City, while the trail parallels Reservoir Creek. f you follow the creek down stream two small water falls are usually present, while the second is in front of a 70 foot deep cave. To reach the main trailhead take Highway 101 North. Go past the City limits one mile and turn right onto Reservoir Canyon Road (second road past City Limits). Reservoir Canyon Road ends at the trailhead. Once you reach the top enjoy a view that only San Luis Obispo could offer.

These are only a taste of the many hiking trails around SLO, but go out and explore for free. San Luis Obispo has a lot to offer.

Check out the upcoming free events around the Central Coast for November and December.

1. Free Coffee Every Friday This November

Every Friday, through November, Burger King is giving away 12 oz. Seattle’s Best Coffee, during breakfast hours.The two locations in San Luis Obispo are participating so feel free to stop by locations at 1075 Olive Street or 1358 Madonna Road and grab a free coffee for early morning class, no purchase necessary.

2. Farmer’s Market Veteran’s Day Celebration

Make your usual Farmer’s Market trip on Thursday and enjoy the City of San Luis Obispo 2nd annual Veteran’s celebration. There will be displays from various service branches, a procession followed by Marine Color Guard posting of flags, Central Coast Pipes & Drums, Grizzly Youth Academy Drill Team, and free flags and balloons. Wander around and enjoy free samples while honoring our Veteran’s. Most activities will be taking place on Chorro and Higuera.

3. TKE Powderpuff

Tau Kappa Epsilon’s is hosting it’s 18th annual Powderpuff Football tournament this Saturday. Watch 7 Cal Poly’s sororities compete for the label of TKE’s Powderpuff Champion and get delicious Barbecue for only $5. TKE members are helping coach each girls team and Sigma Kappa coach Joey Jordan, a third year kinesiology major, is excited to coach this year. “I am really excited to see some good competition and am optimistic there will be a big turnout.” He thinks people should attend, “to get some good food at a good price and watch some intense football be played, but also because your support goes to a good cause. All of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Facility.” The event starts at 10 a.m. this Saturday at Santa Margarita Community Park.

Chi Omega's Powderpuff Team for TKE's 2009 games.

“I am really excited to see some good competition and am optimistic there will be a big turnout.” -Joey Jordan

4. Cal Poly Football v. UC Davis

This Saturday, Cal Poly’s Football is competing for the Golden Horseshoe in their 36th annual rivalry game. This will be Cal Poly’s last game of the 2010 regular season. However, our Mustangs are fighting for second place in the Great West Conference. Last week Cal Poly beat South Dakota 38-24 and they hope to do the same on Saturday. Kickoff is at 6:05 in Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Admission is free with a Cal Poly Student I.D.

Courtesy of gopoly.com

5. Free Wine Infused Chocolates

For her senior project, Stephanie Pearson a Food Science major, decided to take your normal chocolate and infuse it with wine. This Wednesday come to Food Processing Pilot Plant, Building 24, and try her freeze-dried, wine-infused chocolate product all for free. Stephanie is hoping to get more information and have each sample tester evaluate their favorite one. “It is free, quick, simple, and yummy. Any student is welcome to come out and try it! It is a great way to help me  gain data and learn a little bit about how food science works as well,” says Stephanie.

She will be there 3:00 p.m. to around 6:00 p.m. Check it out for free chocolate.

Stephanie Pearson and her chocolate.

Free Food and the Best Deals

Check out the best locations in San Luis Obispo for Free Food weekly and seasonal.

Listen to learn more about Cal Poly’s Honors Program and their free events through an interview with Honors Student Board President Kristen Mann.

If you are a Cal Poly Student go to the Craft Center this friday and make free hemp braclets. From 1 to 4 p.m go to the UU and check it out. Also watch this video to learn how to now.

 

(Video courtesy of Cal Poly ASI)

Nate Mclean is an expert when it comes to Parkour.

• Learn about this new philosophy.

• Learn how anyone can Parkour.

If you have ever heard of Parkour it might have been from season 6 episode 1 of  The Office where Dwight, Michael, and Andy take on this new fad. Parkour according to Wikipedia is, known as “Le Parkour, primarily considered a philosophy, and includes the physical practice of traversing elements in both urban and rural settings. The goal is to move from one point to another as quickly and efficiently as possible.” For Nate McLean, a third year kinesiology major, Parkour is, “The quickest and most efficient way to your destination and becomes most efficient when in crowded urban areas.” Nate started Parkour 4 years ago in high school and unlike Michael, on The Office, is a true Traceur, a person who does Parkour.

“I thought that someone was literally jumping off the 6th floor”

-Lindsay MacLeod

There really are a lot of  free outdoor activities San Luis Obispo offers and Parkour is one of them. The main place Nate Parkours is around construction sites or any nearby parks or trees. He believes, “anyone can Parkour, but its true Parkour that weeds out the individuals.” The problem is Parkour can prove extremely challenging for any Traceur.

Nate’s experience with motocross, 300 meter hurdles in track and field, kung fu, and rock climbing has probably helped him as a Traceur. “My whole life has been very active,” he states, “ but when I finally was introduced to the word Parkour and its definition it was easy to relate to the activity and pursue more of it.”

I asked Nate what he thought his biggest achievement was in Parkour was, in which he replied, “monkey vaulting over a moving car I suppose. Cop car that is; he didn’t like that.” Not to forget the time him and his friend, Brandon Fountain, climbed a tree and found baby hawks, which they took care of for a year and eventually let go. Also the numerous times cops have been called on him for suspicion. “It is what we are used to considering anyone who see’s you Parkour gets freaked out.”

Lindsay MacLeod, a second year journalism major, saw Nate jump from a stairwell to a roof and said, “It frickin made me terrified at first. I thought that someone was literally jumping off the 6th floor until I realized he knew what he was doing and it was awesome to watch.”

This concept might seem foreign, but Parkour is for anyone and as Nate states, “the human body is supposed to be active. That is what we are made to do.” So next time you are out doors try getting from point A to point B in new creative ways.

Discover the Haunted Houses around SLO.

• The terrifying, to the not so scary.

• Also don’t forget the pumpkin picking.

Halloween brings out the scary, the frightening, and sometime the hideous. So here is how to get the best spooks out of San Luis Obispo.

ASI Haunted House

This was ASI, Associated Student Body, second annual Haunted House hosted in Chumash Auditorium. Everything from tombstones, grim reapers, and dungeons were use to frighten visitors. Second year architecture major Amy Wilson went Tuesday night and found it entertaining, but was disappointed with the time length. “It was pretty good, but it was very fast. Most of the time was spent waiting in the line.” As for the frightful factor, “I don’t get scared really easy, but my friends were freaked out.” The Haunted House took place Monday Oct. 25 at 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday Oct. 26 12:00 a.m.. It was free for Cal Poly students and $10 for the public. Unfortunately, no longer occurring this week look forward to next year or check out the other haunts around town.

(Last year’s video for ASI’s Haunted House. Courtesy of Mustang Daily.)

Sigma Nu’s Haunted House

Sigma Nu Fraternity, will be having a Haunted House at 1304 E. Foothill Blvd San Luis Obispo, Calif. It is in benefit of the Special Olympics of Southern California and all proceeds will go toward their cause. There is a $5 entry fee, but their Philanthropy Chair, Ian Hirschler a second year Biology major, promises, “ it is incredibly scary. One girl could not talk after she went through it.” Hirschler helped plan and assemble the event, and believes in this great cause. “The Special Olympics help get people with social and mental disabilities into shape as well as helping with their ability to be part of a team and society.” Check it out from Wednesday Oct. 27 till Friday Oct. 29 8:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m.

Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Cal Poly’s very own Crops Club is hosting their annual U-Pick Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. Located at Mount Bishop Road off Highland Street at Cal Poly. This Friday and Saturday come out and experience their Corn Maze 5:00 p.m. to dusk. If you want a scare come after dusk till 10:00 p.m and be prepared for a spook. The Corn Maze is $5 for adults, $3 for Children 3-12 years, and under 3 years old they are free. To pick your own pumpkins come on Saturday from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m and find the perfect one.

“One girl could not talk after she went through it.”- Ian Hirschler

San Luis Obispo is full of scares for all ages. Also check out the many events happening this weekend. Everything from Oktoberfest to Halloween Spooktacular. All these events and more are listened at the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

An Avila Valley Barn adventure.

For any season adventure to Avila Valley Barn for a free petting zoo, you pick fruits, and many homemade goodies.
Vodpod videos no longer available.

Pumkins and Emus., posted with vodpod