Some stats, notes and observations:
- Duration: 3 hours (including lunch)
- Distance: 7.11 miles
- Top elevation: 1,898 feet (North Peak)
- Weather: Overcast (64 degrees F) at the beginning of the hike (9:30am), light drizzle, clearing once above 1,500 feet
- Location: Just north of Montara State Beach, south of Pacifica
- Route: Grey Whale Cove Trail to Old San Pedro Mountain Trail to North Peak Access Road (and back). Near the beginning of the first trail, from the parking lot of the same name, there is an option to take an unmarked trail straight up. This will meet the main trail and is manageable, although steep, on the way up. I would not recommend this on the way down.
- Notes and Observations: Go early. The parking lot was filling up at 9:30am and full when we returned, at 12:30pm. This is a typical coastal trail, open, with a few, mainly cypress, trees; chaparral; and some poison oak, but usually away from the trail. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes. A few hikers, with tennis shoes, were having issues on the way down. Good, steady climb to the peak, with a few flats, to catch your breath. Not nearly as challenging as Mount Diablo, which is twice the height of Montara Mountain. Fabulous views at the top, of Mount Tam to the north and Mount Diablo to the east, above an ocean of fog. Last, but not least, Grey Whale Cove State Beach is located right across Highway 1, down a relatively low bluff. Feel free to enjoy lunch there, or on the trail, but do not swim (hint: sharks): https://abc7news.com/great-white-shark-attack-grey-whale-cove-state-beach-surfer/10834459/
The Peninsula Hiking Club 