Welcome To Hike Los Padres!
User Log In or Sign Up
Use Marker Cluster
Markers: Use Marker Groups
Time used: ms
Routes
    Trails
    OHV Trails
    Forest Roads
    Streams
Wildfire Layers
    Wolf 2002
    Piru 2003
    Day 2006
    Zaca 2007
    Gap 2008
    La Brea 2009
Forest Layers
    Forest Boundary
    Wilderness Areas
    Ranger Districts
    Counties
    Topographic Outlines
    Trailheads
    OHV Trailheads
Helpful Hints
    ↣ Right click the map for location data. ↣ Click a stream for Water Stats.

Cerro Alto Loop Trail - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 4.91 Miles

A 5 mile spledid day hike loop trail from Cerro Alto Campground that climbs up to the top of Cerro Alto (2624 feet.) This trail boost beautiful views of Morro Rock and is the northen most trail in the Santa Lucia Ranger District. 

Trail Details

  • Trail #: 12E01
  • Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
  • County: San Luis Obispo County
  • Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
  • Trail-head Latitude: 35.42466
  • Trail-head Longitude: -120.74131
  • Trail Condition: Good - Trail is easy to follow and is in good shape
  • Topo Maps:
  • Activities & Features:
    • Biking
    • Day Hiking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Wilderness Camping



Trail Stats

  • Total Elevation Gain: + 3782 feet.
  • Total Elevation Loss: - 4588 feet.
  • Overall Average Slope Gain: + 21 %.
  • Overall Average Slope Loss: - 17 %.
  • Kilometers: (km)
  • Meters: (m)
  • Miles: (mi)
  • Feet: (ft)
  • Average Slope: (%)

Trail Camps

Cerro Alto Car Campground

Upload Images Aerial Overview Image Login to Download GPS File
Survey This Trail

Survey Photos:


  • Meghan Sheen - 04-29-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-29-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-29-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-29-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-29-2015

Submitted Trail Reports

Cerro Alto Loop Trail Survey - 07-26-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Cerro Alto Loop Trail
Date: 07-26-2017
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:What the fuck....this trail is hard and there's no warning that it is a) long and very steep b) slippery as fuck on the way down and c) not marked well. If you aren't an experienced hiker or in decent shape then I wouldn't go on this trail. Make sure to bring a lot of water, Yosemite level water, because it's sunny as fuck and you're going to sweat a lot. Bring food too if you don't want to pass out. Good luck not slipping and falling on all the fucking pebbles on the way down. Bring poles because that helps with that, but you still have to be super careful. We didn't think we were going to make it to the top but then we did and the view wasn't even worth it because it was foggy and the rest of the surroundings looked like we were in goddamn Africa. The view at .25 miles in is literally the same as the top except you don't get to see the foggy ocean. If you want to see the ocean go fucking drive to the beach, not this. Go to Yosemite if you want to hike because it's worth it 1 million times more than this shit.
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Needs some work
Condition details:steep as shit
Cerro Alto Loop Trail Survey - 04-29-2015 - by Meghan Sheen
Link: Cerro Alto Loop Trail
Date: 04-29-2015
Surveyor Name:Meghan Sheen
Trail description:Beautiful trail, absolutely stunning view from the summit. 360* views of SLO, Morro Bay, Atascadero, and beyond. Seriously, killer views and worth every ounce of sweat to get there.

Trail was well traveled and maintained. Saw California Newts, a young rattler, banana slugs, wildflowers and butterflies. 
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

View towards Morro Bay from the summit

Trail shot


Trail shot

trail shot


view from the top towards SLO


Leave A Trail Report

Survey / Report Form - Please click this box to open the form.


Last Updated: Wednesday, February 17, 2016



Join Mailing List
×
Get updates on conditions, surveys and more...


Current Weather »



L.P.N.F. Contacts »

  • Forest Headquarters
    Phone: (805) 968-6640
  • Mt. Pinos District
    Phone: (661) 245-3731
  • Ojai Ranger District
    Phone: (805) 646-4348
  • Santa Barbara District
    Phone: (805) 967-3481
  • Santa Lucia District
    Phone: (805) 925-9538
  • Monterey District
    Phone: (831) 385-5434