· Volunteers Needed
   · Ranger-Led Hikes
   · Trail Workdays
   . Jr. Ranger Activity Camps
   · Virtual Tour
   · Living with California Mountain Lions
   · Hiking Trails/Open Space Map
   · Directions for Hikes & Workdays

The Ranger Service acts as the voice of nature, speaking to the users, and uniting them to help protect the natural resources. Through enforcement, education, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the parks, creeks, and open space, Park Rangers help the public enjoy the areas but also protect it for future generations.

Protecting open space is a job for not only the Rangers. The City encourages every user to aid in the preservation of the natural surroundings while enjoying time spent in the area. Through environmental education on Ranger-Led Hikes, after school programs, and public contacts, the community becomes more aware of their effect on the natural environment and how they can help restore it’s natural beauty.

Some simple guidelines to protect the participant and make the most of the experience are:

Use sunscreen
Stay on the trail
Wear sturdy shoes
Bring plenty of water
Follow other posted guidelines
Keep dog on leash and pick up after them

Volunteers Needed

Another key element for the preservation of the open space is involvement of community groups and volunteers. Volunteers donating time, hard work, and genuine interest in caring for nature are invaluable to the care and upkeep of the 3,000 acres of open space. Volunteering is not only rewarding, but there is scarcely a better way to take part in what occurs in open space than being personally involved in the process.

Volunteers have become the focal point for the Ranger Service. With only a handful of hired staff to manage the land, it is crucial to have community service events, Trail Workdays, Volunteer Trail Lookouts hiking the trails, and groups adopting a specific open space.

Wondering what a volunteer does? 

• Pick up garbage

• Help build and maintain trails

• Help restore native vegetation along the creek corridor

• Build bridges, catwalks, benches and much more

If any service groups, associations, organizations, clubs, students, families, individuals, or anyone else would like to take part in the preservation of the City's open space, volunteering is encouraged.  Please call the Senior Park Ranger at (805) 781-7302 for more information.

Ranger-Led Hikes

Ranger-led hikes offer a wonderful personal tour of the City's Open Space.  It is important to follow the simple guidelines for hiking, listed above.  Anyone can schedule their own hike or join one of the following scheduled Ranger-led hikes:

• Sunday, May 11 - Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve - directions
• Sunday, June 22 - Islay Hill Open Space - directions
• Sunday, July 13 - Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve - directions
• Sunday, August 17 - South Hills @ Exposition - directions

Call 781-7302 for more information on upcoming hikes

All hikes start at 1:00pm. Hike duration varies with group. We ask that all participants please wear study shoes and bring plenty of water to drink. 

Want to take a hike on your own?  View our hiking trail map online for more information.  A trail map of Irish Hills Open Space is available online, you need Adobe Acrobat to view.

Fitness Hiking Club:

All hikes meet at designated trailheads at 8:30 a.m. Hike distances and times listed are approximate.  All hikes will be catered to the individual group.  Trails are clearly marked should someone want to turn around early or continue farther.

• Monday, August 25 – Felsman Loop, Bishop Peak Open Space– directions
• Monday, September 22 – Reservoir Canyon Open Space - directions
• Monday, October 20 – Dairy Creek Loop, El Chorro Regional Park – directions

Please see attached flyer for more details.

Trail Workdays

In partnership with SLO Stewards, monthly Trail Workdays are held in the City's Open Space.  Tools will be provided, along with some water and refreshments.  The following is a list of scheduled Trail Workdays:

• Saturday, May 10 - Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve - directions
• Saturday, May 24 - Irish Hills @ Prefumo Canyon - directions
• Saturday, June 7 - Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve - directions
• Saturday, June 21 - Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve- directions
• Saturday, July 5 - Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve - directions
• Saturday, July 19 - Bishop Peak @ Highland - directions
• Saturday, August 9 - Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve - directions
• Saturday, August 23 - Irish Hills @ Madonna - directions

All workdays are from 9:00am-12:00pm.  Meet at the trailhead at 9:00am. Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Water and snacks will be provided.

Call 781-7302 for information on upcoming trail workdays.
 

Junior Ranger Activity Camps

The Ranger Service is offering two Environmental Education camps this summer. Details are as follows:

Jr. Ranger Activity Camp at Sinsheimer Park
Taught by City of San Luis Obispo Park Rangers

The Jr. Ranger Activity Camp is a weeklong environmental education experience designed to teach children about the many facets of San Luis Obispo’s natural environment. Both indoor and outdoor activities and lessons will be utilized to educate Jr. Rangers about plant and animal identification, wilderness survival, environmental etiquette, and resource conservation. Campers must bring lunch. Morning snack and unlimited water provided. Limited space available, early registration is encouraged. Register for the Summer Kick-Off camp through Monday, June 9 and for the Summer Wrap Up camp through Monday, August 11. Cost is $75 for each class.  

Class #    Class Name           Ages    Day(s) Date(s)              Time(s)      

1070.201  Summer Kick-Off   7-10     Mon-Fri Jun 16-Jun 20   9am-2pm 

1070.202  Summer Wrap       7-10     Mon-Fri Aug 18-Aug 22  9am-2pm  

People wishing to participate can register beginning April 19, 2008 either on-line at http://www.slocity.org/parksandrecreation/registrationmain.sdi or by visiting the Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices at 1341 Nipomo Street.

Note: Participation in any previous Jr. Ranger Camp should not discourage the young avid outdoor enthusiast from registering. Each camp incorporates different themes and new activities. Campers already awarded a Jr. Ranger certificate will be given a higher honor upon completion of the second or third Jr. Ranger course.

Camp Enrollments: minimum 5, maximum 18.
Location: Sinsheimer Park
Cost: $75 for 5-day camp. Partial scholarships are available to qualified families based on financial need using a predetermined eligibility standard.
 

Directions to Ranger-Led Hikes and Trail Workdays:

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve:  Please meet at the Highland Drive trailhead. To reach the trailhead, take Foothill Blvd. west and make a right onto Patricia Drive. Continue north on Patricia Drive and make a left onto Highland Drive. Highland Drive will end at the Bishop Peak trailhead.

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve - Felsman Loop:  Please meet at the Patricia Drive trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, take Foothill Blvd. west and make a right turn at Patricia Drive.  Continue north on Patricia Drive and the trailhead will be on the left just past Patricia Court.

Black Hill, Morro Bay State Park:
From Highway 101 South of San Luis Obispo - Take Los Osos Valley Road exit and head 9.6 miles west to South Bay Blvd.  Turn right and continue 3.2 miles to State Park Road and turn left.  Bear right 0.1 mile ahead at the fork in the road and head up Park View Drive for 0.3 miles to a parking pullout on the left.
From Highway 1 in Morro Bay - Head 0.8 miles south on South Bay Blvd. to State Park Road and turn right.  Bear right 0.1 mile ahead at the fork in the road and head up Park View Drive for 0.3 miles to a parking pullout on the left.

Bob Jones Bike Trail:
Please meet at the trailhead on Prado Road. Trailhead is located near Prado Road's intersection with South Higuera to the north side of the bridge crossing San Luis Creek.

Bowden Ranch:  Please meet at the Lizzie Court trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, turn east off of Johnson Avenue onto Lizzie Street and continue up a short ways to end of street at trailhead.

Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve:  Please meet at the Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve trailhead. To access the trailhead, turn right onto Fernandez Road just before the southbound 101 Marsh Street on-ramp.

El Chorro Regional Park:
Entrance is approximately 5.5 miles north of SLO, across from Cuesta College.  Turn right onto park road and continue 0.8 miles to Dairy Creek parking lot on the left by the locked gate.

Irish Hills Natural Reserve:  Please meet at the Prefumo Canyon trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, take Los Osos Valley Road north and turn left onto Prefumo Canyon Road.  Follow this road for 1 mile and the trailhead will be on the left after a bridge crossing.

Irish Hills Natural Reserve @ Madonna Trailhead: Please meet at the Madonna trailhead. To reach the trailhead from Highway 101, take Los Osos Valley Road north towards Los Osos. Turn left on Madonna Road. Follow the street to the end and find parking on the street, then walk up the dirt road to the trailhead.

Islay Hill Open Space:  Please meet at the trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, take Broad Street south and make a left onto Tank Farm Road.  Follow this road and make a right onto Wavertree Street.  Make a left onto Spanish Oaks Drive and then a right onto Sweetbay Lane.  Trailhead is at the end of Sweetbay Lane.

Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve:  Please meet at the Reservoir Canyon trailhead.  To reach the trailhead, take Highway 101 north.  Go past the city limits and turn right onto Reservoir Canyon Road (second road past the City limits).  Reservoir Canyon Road will end at the trailhead.

South Hills Open Space: Please meet at the South Hills trailhead off of Woodbridge Street.  To reach the trailhead take South Street east and turn right onto Exposition Drive.  Go straight and the road will turn into Woodbridge Street.  The trailhead is on the right.

Stenner Springs Properties: Head west out of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1 towards Morro Bay.  Slightly less than a mile outside of town turn right onto Stenner Creek Road.  Follow Stenner Creek Road for about 2-1/2 miles to the end.  Meet the ranger there.

Living with California Mountain Lions

The Ranger Service would like to promote education about “Living with California Mountain Lions.”  Due to the recent sightings of mountain lions in the City’s open space, it seemed appropriate to inform the public about this species of wildlife.  Some quick tips to follow if a user encounters a mountain lion:

Do Not Hike Alone

Keep Children Close To You

Do Not Run From a Lion

Do All You Can To Appear Larger

Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the Bishop Peak Nature Reserve via the Felsman Loop.....a brochure detailing the area is available as a PDF file.