On Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM we will hike the Coon Creek trail in Montana de Oro. This is a 5.18  mile hike with a Net Vertical Challenge (Elevation Change) of 410 feet.  The ascents, however, are very spread out so so the 952 Total Assent is barely detectable.  The maximum grade is a very low 9.9%.   Bowden ranch, for reference, is 12.4%.  When we last hiked this trail on 10-17-25, we took our time and finished it in three hours. Our Hike Hardness Index places the hike at 30.48 which is essentially on the line between Easy and Medium  A copy of the HHI report is attached.

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If there is interest, we can offer the OPTION to extend the hike to include Oaks Peak.  This would increase the total distance to 7.1 miles with a Total Ascent of 1209 feet and a maximum grade of 25%.  Our Hike Hardness Index places the combined Coon Creek and Oats Peak hike at a difficulty of 51.58 which is in the HARD category.  Let Russ know if you want to do the whole enchilada

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TO GET THERE  From the intersection of Los Osos Valley Road and South Bay Drive in Los Osos, drive 2.5 miles southwest on Los Osos Valley Road to the Montana de Oro State Park entrance sign.  (En route, Los Osos Valley Road becomes Pecho Valley Road).  From the entrance sign, continue 3.9 miles to the trailhead parking lot on the left end of the road.  It is 1.3 miles past the visitor center. 

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There will be step down at the start of the hike as the trail begins.  The trail is lush in foliage with the sound of a creek in the background.  Sometimes there is poison oak (depending on trail maintenance) so if you are allergic you may want to skip shorts.  Cell phone service is typically NOT available so keep that in mind for navigation purposes.

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