SA Report: Baby it's cold outside

Trip Date: 12/7/2013

Location: Montaña de Oro State Park

Permit/Pass: No fees for day use.

Trails: Summit Post Map

Directions: From Highway 1 (this section is called Cabrillo Hwy) just east of Morro Bay take South Bay Blvd. south for 3.9 miles to Los Osos Valley Rd. Turn right on Los Osos Valley and go 1.5 miles before it turns into Pecho Valley Rd. Continue on Pecho Valley Rd. for 3.7 miles before dipping down toward Spooner Cove on the right. There is a nondescript parking area on the right with a trailhead sign just before you make it to the cove. Turn right and park here.

Trail sequence: Dune Loop trail

Type: Loop

Distance: 0.8 miles

Elevation: Min. -  13', Max. - 108'

Rating: Easy

Synopsis: The Dune loop is a very pretty ramble along a sandy trail that follows the bluffs north of Spooner Cove. There are excellent views both out over the ocean and down to the reefs.

Dune Loop - Montaña de Oro State Park

Turn by Turn:

  -- After finding a spot in the grassy parking area, head west on the left trail following the Dune Loop sign arrow.

  -- There are spurs leading off toward Spooner Cove and down to the reefs that you'll want to ignore. Dune Loop is basically a circle, at first heading west, then staying with the bluffs and proceeding north.

  -- At just over 0.4 miles, keep an eye out for a barely noticeable single-track path on the right that leads you east back toward the road.

  -- Once you near the road again (you'll see the telephone poles getting closer) you reach the connector trail that takes you back down to the trailhead. Turn right on this trail and return to your car.

Photo Gallery: Montaña de Oro

Video: Youtube