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The Nine sisters
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By Madison Gaddy
THE NINE SISTERS.
The Nine Sisters, also known as the "Morros" (a Spanish word meaning mountains) are a chain of nine volcanic peaks and hills between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. They provide the most iconic vistas in SLO County.
In addition to their popular views, the Nine Sisters or the Morros are a geological oddity as well. They’re classified as “volcanic plugs”—which are leftover, congealed lava that once filled volcano vents millions of years ago.
The Nine Sisters are popular with photographers and rock climbers. Their volcanic origin makes them of significant geological interest. William H. Brewer, once a Yale Professor, led a geologic expedition though California in 1861. On the same expedition, he made note of the Nine Sisters in his journal.
“These buttes are a peculiar feature, their sharp, rugged outlines standing so clear against the sky, their sides sloping from thirty to fifty degrees,” William Brewer wrote. “A string of these buttes more than twenty in number, some almost as sharp as a steeple, extend in a line northwest to the sea, about twenty miles distant, one standing in the sea, the Morro Rock rising like a pyramid from the waters."
Ranging from the shortest (Morro Rock at 576 feet) to the tallest (Bishop Peak at 1,559 feet), the Nine Sisters are also popular hiking spots—though not all are publicly accessible. Here is a guide covering all nine of the Nine Sisters.
Morro Rock
Morro Rock is certainly the most photographed and painted of the Nine Sisters. Morro Rock rises out of the Pacific Ocean on the Morro Bay coast.
Though it was quarried for many years, Morro Rock was declared a California Historical Landmark in 1968. The Salinan and Chumash tribes have special dispensation to climb the 576-foot rock for special ceremonies. Although it is illegal for the general public to do so.
The rock is the centerpiece of Morro Rock Natural Preserve, and—though climbing is a no-go—the public is welcome to walk around the preserve, located off the Embarcadero in Morro Bay.
Black Hill
The second peak in the Nine Sisters chain is only a little bit taller at 665 feet. It’s located within Morro Bay State Park, with several different well-maintained hiking trails leading to the summit.
According to the Sierra Club guide notes, “It is rumored Black Hill got its name from a tar seep on the north side of the hill.” While no visible tar seep remains, the peak does offer views of the city of Morro Bay and the bay itself.
Cerro Cabrillo
This Mountain is named after the Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who famously sailed the California coast n 1542, which he observed the Nine Sisters on his journey.
Slightly taller at an elevation of 911 feet, Cerro Cabrillo is another easily accessible mountain located within Morro Bay State Park.
Hollister Peak
Hollister is privately owned and always has been. Hiking is not recommended due to suspicion about a vigilant owner who's quick to call law enforcement on trespassers. It is not recommended to hike.
At 1,404 feet, this stony mountain is significantly taller than its Western brethren, visible from Highway 1, and its peak is roughly shaped like an elephant.
Cerro Romauldo
This mountain (1,306 feet) is owned roughly half and half by a private owner and the California National Guard. The National Guard uses it for physical fitness training for those installed at Camp San Luis Obispo.
Camp SLO is still an active base with strict security regulations, especially post -9/11. Due to this reason, access to the peak is very limited.
Chumash Peak
Chumash is 1,257 feet tall, and another one of the Nine Sisters that’s privately owned. In 1964, the hill was named in recognition of the Chumash Indians, who lived in the area due to efforts by Louisiana Dart, curator of the San Luis Obispo Count Museum.
Chumash is directly adjacent to the most popular Bishop Peak. In terms of accessibility, Chumash is the polar opposite compared to Bishops.
Bishop Peak
Out of the Nine Sisters, Bishops Peak is the most popular for hiking. At 1,559 feet tall, it provides the most rigorous hiking experience, with two different easily accessible trailheads.
Bishop Peak's thin, rocky soil supports many plants that are not common in the surrounding area. Vegetation includes an Oak woodland, sage scrub, and chaparral.
Like the other Morro's (mountains), Bishop Peak is primarily composed of dacite. About 20 to 25 million years ago, magma welled up underneath a layer of softer rock and solidified. The softer overlying rock has since eroded away, leaving a distinct rugged shape.
According to Doug Carscaden, supervising park ranger for the city of SLO, the peak is primarily owned by the city and SLO County. State Parks owns a parcel as well, but all three entities work together to maintain each other’s land and trails.
Cerro San Luis
This 1,292-foot morro is in the middle of SLO. The distinctive white “M” on its east face (which stands for Mission Prep High School not Madonna as many believe) is visible from much of downtown. Though the morro is often called Madonna Mountain or San Luis Mountain, Cerro San Luis is its official name.
It is a popular spot for mountain biking and hiking, offering spectacular views and steep terrain. There is a wide dirt road traversing the mountain that leads to the peak.
Doug Carscaden said "the city and the Madonna family (proprietors of the Madonna Inn) each own a substantial piece of the morro, with a local church and the Bressi Ranch also possessing a few parcels." Public access is permitted throughout, and there are multiple trails to the summit.
Islay Hill
The last of the morros, Islay Hill stands at only 775 feet tall. It lies on the southeast side of SLO.
Islay Hill is a volcanic cone, and is the southernmost of the nine volcanic mountains that make up the Nine Sisters.
Park ranger, Doug Carscaden says "even though it’s technically privately owned, it's city open space and we have an easement on the property." There are a few different trailheads on Islay.
The Nine Sisters, also known as the "Morros" (a Spanish word meaning mountains) are a chain of nine volcanic peaks and hills between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. They provide the most iconic vistas in SLO County.
In addition to their popular views, the Nine Sisters or the Morros are a geological oddity as well. They’re classified as “volcanic plugs”—which are leftover, congealed lava that once filled volcano vents millions of years ago.
The Nine Sisters are popular with photographers and rock climbers. Their volcanic origin makes them of significant geological interest. William H. Brewer, once a Yale Professor, led a geologic expedition though California in 1861. On the same expedition, he made note of the Nine Sisters in his journal.
“These buttes are a peculiar feature, their sharp, rugged outlines standing so clear against the sky, their sides sloping from thirty to fifty degrees,” William Brewer wrote. “A string of these buttes more than twenty in number, some almost as sharp as a steeple, extend in a line northwest to the sea, about twenty miles distant, one standing in the sea, the Morro Rock rising like a pyramid from the waters."
Ranging from the shortest (Morro Rock at 576 feet) to the tallest (Bishop Peak at 1,559 feet), the Nine Sisters are also popular hiking spots—though not all are publicly accessible. Here is a guide covering all nine of the Nine Sisters.
Morro Rock
Morro Rock is certainly the most photographed and painted of the Nine Sisters. Morro Rock rises out of the Pacific Ocean on the Morro Bay coast.
Though it was quarried for many years, Morro Rock was declared a California Historical Landmark in 1968. The Salinan and Chumash tribes have special dispensation to climb the 576-foot rock for special ceremonies. Although it is illegal for the general public to do so.
The rock is the centerpiece of Morro Rock Natural Preserve, and—though climbing is a no-go—the public is welcome to walk around the preserve, located off the Embarcadero in Morro Bay.
Black Hill
The second peak in the Nine Sisters chain is only a little bit taller at 665 feet. It’s located within Morro Bay State Park, with several different well-maintained hiking trails leading to the summit.
According to the Sierra Club guide notes, “It is rumored Black Hill got its name from a tar seep on the north side of the hill.” While no visible tar seep remains, the peak does offer views of the city of Morro Bay and the bay itself.
Cerro Cabrillo
This Mountain is named after the Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who famously sailed the California coast n 1542, which he observed the Nine Sisters on his journey.
Slightly taller at an elevation of 911 feet, Cerro Cabrillo is another easily accessible mountain located within Morro Bay State Park.
Hollister Peak
Hollister is privately owned and always has been. Hiking is not recommended due to suspicion about a vigilant owner who's quick to call law enforcement on trespassers. It is not recommended to hike.
At 1,404 feet, this stony mountain is significantly taller than its Western brethren, visible from Highway 1, and its peak is roughly shaped like an elephant.
Cerro Romauldo
This mountain (1,306 feet) is owned roughly half and half by a private owner and the California National Guard. The National Guard uses it for physical fitness training for those installed at Camp San Luis Obispo.
Camp SLO is still an active base with strict security regulations, especially post -9/11. Due to this reason, access to the peak is very limited.
Chumash Peak
Chumash is 1,257 feet tall, and another one of the Nine Sisters that’s privately owned. In 1964, the hill was named in recognition of the Chumash Indians, who lived in the area due to efforts by Louisiana Dart, curator of the San Luis Obispo Count Museum.
Chumash is directly adjacent to the most popular Bishop Peak. In terms of accessibility, Chumash is the polar opposite compared to Bishops.
Bishop Peak
Out of the Nine Sisters, Bishops Peak is the most popular for hiking. At 1,559 feet tall, it provides the most rigorous hiking experience, with two different easily accessible trailheads.
Bishop Peak's thin, rocky soil supports many plants that are not common in the surrounding area. Vegetation includes an Oak woodland, sage scrub, and chaparral.
Like the other Morro's (mountains), Bishop Peak is primarily composed of dacite. About 20 to 25 million years ago, magma welled up underneath a layer of softer rock and solidified. The softer overlying rock has since eroded away, leaving a distinct rugged shape.
According to Doug Carscaden, supervising park ranger for the city of SLO, the peak is primarily owned by the city and SLO County. State Parks owns a parcel as well, but all three entities work together to maintain each other’s land and trails.
Cerro San Luis
This 1,292-foot morro is in the middle of SLO. The distinctive white “M” on its east face (which stands for Mission Prep High School not Madonna as many believe) is visible from much of downtown. Though the morro is often called Madonna Mountain or San Luis Mountain, Cerro San Luis is its official name.
It is a popular spot for mountain biking and hiking, offering spectacular views and steep terrain. There is a wide dirt road traversing the mountain that leads to the peak.
Doug Carscaden said "the city and the Madonna family (proprietors of the Madonna Inn) each own a substantial piece of the morro, with a local church and the Bressi Ranch also possessing a few parcels." Public access is permitted throughout, and there are multiple trails to the summit.
Islay Hill
The last of the morros, Islay Hill stands at only 775 feet tall. It lies on the southeast side of SLO.
Islay Hill is a volcanic cone, and is the southernmost of the nine volcanic mountains that make up the Nine Sisters.
Park ranger, Doug Carscaden says "even though it’s technically privately owned, it's city open space and we have an easement on the property." There are a few different trailheads on Islay.