Hollister Peak

Being one of the Nine Sisters, Hollister Peak (428m/1,404ft) in the Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County in California is a perfect reminder of the 6th Article in the US Bill of Rights which is about the sacrosanctity of private property. However, you can admire its gentle slopes from afar when you visit the nearby Morro Bay State Park (Cerro Cabrillo), Montana de Oro State Park (Hazard Peak), and similar volcanic plugs like Cerro Romualdo (393m/1289ft) and Chumash Peak (368m/1207ft).

As to Hollister Peak, thanks to the joint efforts of seven private landowners, the premises stay private. There is no longer a trail to the top of the peak and the property owners never climb the peak under any circumstances. In the 20th century, there used to be a small trail winding to the summit and quite a bunch of misinformed free-spirited travellers were trying to conquer it. Now there is the Cerro Alto conservation easement project in progress aimed to protect the peak for the birds and animals. Thankfully, the owners are working towards establishing the ecological reserve on Hollister Peak.

On many hiking sites there is some information saying that “the summit is well-worth the effort, it will give you the view of the the Nine Sisters or the Morros (which include Morro Rock, Cabrillo Peak, Black Hill, Hollister Peak, Cerro Romauldo, Chumash Peak, Bishop Peak, San Luis Peak, and Ishlay Hill), Cypress Mountain (894m), Black Mountain (709m), Rusty Peak (556m), and Dark Range Peak (609m). But there is no point in that information since you are not allowed to get to the peak.

Those who still would like to question the property right will face with the unpleasant surprise like the one that three young people had early March 2021 when they attempted to climb the peak and were caught and cited for trespassing by the deputies.

Those who still would like to question the property right will face with the unpleasant surprise. All trespassers are cited by the Sheriff per California Penal Code 602.8.A. There are no exceptions and no warnings.

The locals are trying to work with the various hiking sites to keep them updated and avoid the experience those young men had to endure.

Hollister Peak is now a part of the Cerro Alto conservation easement that was put in place on a 540-acre Cerro Alto Ranch between San Luis Obispo and the Morro Bay a few years ago. It includes the entire slope of Hollister Peak from Turri Road to Hollister’s summit. In the joint effort of the landowners, the Buckinghams, and The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, the local community is trying to protect the heritage of the region, its local food, agriculture, sensitive plants and animals including Peregrine Falcons. The residential development is reduced to two homes. Subdivision of the property is not allowed. The agreement does not allow for public access as the ranch is privately owned. However, The Land Conservancy officials say it will be able to host docent-led hikes on the ranch.

The project is a realization of one man’s dream who came here in 1979 and thought:

“Wouldn’t it be amazing to own a big piece of this property in this area and just keep it this way forever.” Jeff Buckingham.

Climb high, hike safely and make your dreams come true.