Pinnacles National Park



I had read about the Pinnacles' High Peaks Trail in Backpacker Magazine and we were eager to try it.  On Wednesday we packed our lunches and headed to one of the two road ends.  We passed the caves, figuring we could do those later and headed up.  Towards the top, the scenery started getting quite spectacular.  The trail itself wandered up and down and around the rock extrusions.  Sometimes there were steps that had been blasted steeply into rock faces.  Sometimes  there were only toeholds and a firm rail to hang onto.  This amazing trail was built in the 30's by the CCC.  

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After returning to the car we went back up the trail a bit to do the caves hike.  These were talus caves and you definitely needed a flashlight.  Because its bat breeding season, parts of them are sealed off.  The trail is well marked but sometimes requires crawling a short distance. 

The next day we went to the other road end.  That trail is fairly level for a couple of miles, following Chalone Creek, with its carpets of wildflowers.  It then narrows dramatically and takes you through caves before continuing to a parking lot on the west side of the park.  From there, you turn and hike back up to the High Peaks Trail and down a long descent to where we left the car. 

Both days were long so we missed going to the Nature Center to learn the history of the park.  Pinnacles Campground is charming and was quite full.  There is a store, a swimming pool(!), and mounted high powered binoculars in a bird viewing area.  Our campsite was right next to that area and I did get to see a pair of condors (which is what everyone was looking for).   


Mariposa Lily (different variety from what we see in the Sierra)