Region
Highlights
- Technical summit block at highest central summit
- Most climbers tackle the short scramble up the east summit (past the end-of-trail bench)
Routes
16 summits • 4.1 mi • 1,198 ft gain • 2 hr 29 min
3 summits • 3.6 mi • 862 ft gain • 1 hr 21 min
1 summit • 1.1 mi • 929 ft gain • 30 min
1 summit • 4.2 mi • 1,148 ft gain • 2 hr 2 min
Latest summits
"Out to SLO for our nieces college graduation from Cal-Poly so we did a “Family” attempt of the Tr-Tip challenge. Started with Bishop then headed to Madonna but my wife and Sister-in-law wilted in the heat. Dropped back into town to hit up the Lincoln deli for some rehydration, I added an ice cream bar for added sustenance. Now we were able to rally for a stroll up to The P. Took in the views over the campus then back into town to pickup some Tri-Tip sammies for good eats back at the house. Hopefully my wife and I will successfully tag the summit of Madonna and revisit Firestone, sandwiches are not large but certainly worth getting, on our way back up to Sunnyvale." — Nimblefoot • Jun 12, 2021
"Easter Sunday SLO Tri-Tip Challenge. Did Cerro San Luis Obispo first, taking a fun steep use trail up and the road back down.
Bishop Peak second, starting from West Foothill. Good steep trail with lots of fun scrambling in the summit area. Took the climbers trail along the ridge through lots of poison oak and a small cave to the summit block. I scrambled as high as possible, to the top of one pinnacle, but the neighboring pinnacle (true summit block) is about 3 ft higher and is rated 5.7.
Finished by visiting "The P", then continued up the slope to the top of Poly Mountain to make it a proper peak hike. Tri-tip, onion rings, and beer to cap off a perfect day in SLO!" — klotito • Apr 4, 2021
"One of the few technical summits on the Central Coast. Climbed the 5.6 direct route up the true summit block. Unfortunately someone threaded cheap braided rope through all the bolts on the route, presumably to climb it without protection which seemed crazy stupid. Had to cut the rope just to use all the bolts and anchors as intended. Still a great climb hitting the top just as the morning fog was burning off. Complete TR: https://TheMtsAreCalling.com/bishop" — Christopher • Aug 29, 2020
"my dad started at the wrong trail. there were a lot of horses in the beginning. my dad brought snacks so we could eat. there was a lot of scrambling up the first middle part of the upper climb. when we got to the trail bench, we headed towards the east peak. my dad helped me a lot and we eventually reached the summit. it wasn't a really windy day. it took us almost 2 hrs round trip. I was really tired when I got to the bottom." — summit • Nov 25, 2019
"Misread the map and went to wrong TH. A steep climb up a horse pasture quickly turned into an overgrown gully that eventually intersected with the Bishop Peak Trail. The scramble up to the east peak was a bit more to take on than expected but the summit views were worth it." — scott • Nov 25, 2019
"Fun trail with tiny bits of scrambling, nothing major. There is A LOT of poison oak. On the way up, if you stay on the main trail, you're fine. When you get to the top, past the "end of the trail bench", it's Tecnu time! It's literally all over the place. Definitely wear long pants/sleeves. Otherwise, views are incredible. It is a bit of a scramble at the top. The trail is not that clear in some places. Actually best to stay on top of the rocks as much as possible." — colleenmarie512 • Jul 16, 2018
"Hiked up from Highland Drive with my son and husband during a trip to the area for a Cal-Poly tour. Warm temps and a cool breeze (at times). Beautiful and green! Lots of poison oak off the lower trail, but easy to keep clear of. Great hike!" — lulu499 • Mar 31, 2015
"Bagged this little guy while chaperoning Carter's Ultimate team in the State Tourney being held in Paso Robles. Gotta love California. 95% of the people on the trip that I saw said hi, and the other 5% had a smile on their face. Loved running into our service men and women at the top, as they were out on a training day. I talked one of the guys into getting off the false summit to head over to the real summit. " — 40in40 • May 10, 2014