Bishop Peak (California)

Infobox Mountain
Name = Bishop Peak
Photo = Bishop's Peak3.jpg
Caption =
Elevation = convert|1546|ft|m|0
Location = San Luis Obispo, California
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Topographic

Type =
Age = 20 million years
Last eruption =
First ascent =
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Bishop Peak (elevation 1,546 ft) is a volcanic plug near the city of San Luis Obispo, California. It is the tallest of the Morros or Nine Sisters, a chain of similar peaks stretching to Morro Bay. It takes its name from its resemblance to a bishop's miter.

Geology

Like the other Morros, Bishop Peak is primarily composed of dacite. Over 20 million years ago, magma welled up underneath a layer of softer rock and soldified. The softer overlying rock has since eroded away, leaving a distinct rugged shape.

Wildlife

Bishop Peak's thin, rocky soil supports many plants that are not common in the surrounding area. Vegetation includes Oak woodland, sage scrub and chaparral.

Woodland areas are composed of species like coast live oak and California bay trees, as well as shrubs like poison oak and California blackberry. Scrub areas support many aromatic varieties of sage, such as coyote bush and monkeyflower.

Bird life includes large numbers of jays and other passerine birds, as well as birds of prey including golden eagles, bald eagles, owls and vultures. Animals include deer, raccoons and opossums as well as predators like foxes, coyotes, bobcats and mountain lion.

Land use

In the past some quarrying has taken place, primarily to provide stone for the nearby city of San Luis Obispo. Currently Bishop Peak Natural Reserve covers 350 acres (1.4 km²) of land purchases or donated since 1977.

External links

* [http://www.slocity.org/naturalresources/bishop.asp slocity.org]