Day 943: Cerro Alto Campground - Dinosaurs - Los Padres National Forest

Dinosaurs roaming the fields...

Day #943 * Hike #1199 * New Track #931
Cerro Alto Campground - Morro Bay, CA
Los Padres National Forest
Sunday June 16, 2013
My Tripometer: .5 Hours * 1.0 Miles * +50 Feet

Directions:
Follow the driving instructions from Day 943: Charles Paddock Zoo.  Continue down Route 41 toward Morro Bay.  You'll pass Dinosaurs on your left and then the campgrounds will be several miles further on your left.  It's amazing negotiating the Los Padres this far north and this close to the coast...

 Cerro Alto Trailhead to the far back, a couple miles up the road

 Another optional trail - no shade

 many campsites - this is boring car camping

The Raging River!

 

This was a quick unexpected pit stop.  We walked around and hit up the trailheads.  No interest in going too far back.  This is not the Los Padres that I know but the mountainous area between SLO and Morro Bay is one that I have not touched yet.  One day I will research the area and map out some legit hikes...

Day 943: Lake Park Charles Paddock Zoo - Atascadero Lake

Red Panda

Day #943 * Hike #1198 * New Track #930
Lake Park Charles Paddock Zoo - Atascadero, CA
Atascadero Lake
Sunday June 16, 2013
My Tripometer: 1.25 Hours * 1.25 Miles * +0 Feet

 Lake Park - Zoo Entrance

Directions:
Halfway between Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, exit the 101 Freeway at Route 41.  Head west towards the ocean and you'll see the Zoo entrance on your left.

This was the smallest zoo that I've ever been to.  It was late in the day and no one was around.  I think there was someone at the ticket window but we casually strolled through the main gate and had a look around...

 Aldabra Tortoise

 Hey Now!

We spent about 20 minutes in the zoo.  Walked though an aviary and past many monkeys.  From there, we walked out to the park...

 Horseshoes are popular around here...

 The Park

 The Lake

Not much of a lake but the paddle boating activity gives the locals something to do.  Pretty neat I suppose...

Faces of Freedom

We walked across the bridge to the baseball stadium and found this memorial.  Overall, very cool random stop en route to who knows where...