Trip Report - Miossi Open Space
2021 Feb 27
While not yet officially open, SLO Parks new Miossi Open Space seems
to be nearly complete, with trails, gates, and an interpretive
display kiosk near the entrance. I took a hike through
this new acquisition today and thought others might like to see what
it has to offer.
Parking is at the bottom of Stagecoach Road off Highway 101 at the
base of Cuesta grade.
There are actually two starting points. One can hike directly
up the old ranch road, or one can begin a couple hundred feet south
at a mountain bike trail that switchbacks uphill a short distance
before joining the ranch road. I chose the latter as that is
where the kiosk is located.
La Cuesta Ranch Road connects to Panorama Trail (click for larger
image)
The ranch road goes steeply uphill for a short distance and then
levels out after you come around on the west side of the
ridge. As you contour along the hillside there are views to
the south towards Reservoir Canyon. A large ranch house stands
out in the middle distance.
A large ranch house visible from La Cuesta Ranch Road.
After 0.8 mile you'll reach a junction near the railroad tracks
where the Panorama Trail begins. A few steps later the trail
goes through a large pedestrian culvert that allows passage under
the tracks.
The pedestrian culvert under the railroad tracks.
After passing under the railroad the trail takes a long switchback
and proceeds gradually uphill for half a mile where a junction with
the Rollercoaster trail is encountered.
Trail junction where Rollercoaster crosses the Panorama Trail.
If you take the left hand branch it takes you to a vista point with
a bench.
Vista point with bench (in foreground). In the middle
distance Poly Canyon Road can be seen heading west towards campus.

The Panorama trail continues gradually uphill towards the ridge.

End of Panorama trail at the open space boundary (about 1.8 miles
from trailhead).

Trail sign at end of Panorama trail.

A kiosk under construction at the upper end of the Panorama Trail.
One can return to the start from here, or climb the hiker ladder
to get past the gate and continue uphill on the Rollercoaster
trail. As you know, Rollercoaster has some very steep and
loose sections, but takes you to W. Cuesta Ridge road. From
there one can descend to Cuesta Pass and take Stagecoach road down
the hill back to the parking lot. This makes for a nice loop
hike of 7 miles and about 2000' elevation gain. I completed it
in 2 hr 45 minutes at a moderate pace.
Review
There isn't much really unique or special about the new open space
trail, although the vista point is pleasant. What is exciting
about it is that it provides a safe and convenient way to complete
an entire loop hike from Rollercoaster to Stagecoach.
There isn't any shade on Rollercoaster and it can be quite breezy
along the ridge. The loose gravel on Rollercoaster needs
careful attention. For me, going up Rollercoaster seemed less
treacherous than coming down it. Overall I give it two
stars.
Hiker Resources
Rollercoaster - Stagecoach loop (click for printable PDF).