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Pinnacles National Monument
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37 reviews for Pinnacles National Monument
This is just a unique place that not everyone has discovered. Fabulous monumental rock formations, gigantic boulders that must have shaken the earth when they fell, dark caves full of bats, lots of different trails, the possibility of seeing actual giant condors and rock climbing.
I hate the idea of plummeting to my death and having my body then consumed by snakes and bats. But, there are lots of people up there hanging from colorful ropes and clearly the topography offers lots of different climbing options.
And, the place changes by the season. Yelpers caution against summer visits because of the heat, but just get there early and maybe do the caves and some light hiking. You will see the brown and gold tones that this season brings to this part of California, beautiful in its own right.
Then, go again in the spring when it is green and the flowers are out. Cooler, maybe better for a more serious hike, maybe for camping too. Just great.
If you come in on Highway 25 on the East side you will be in for a beautiful drive. That is an undeveloped part of the state that we don't often get to see.
The West entrance is via Highway 146 through Soledad, a very nice drive itself as you go through another interesting kind of scenery.
You can hike from one side of the park to the other, but there is no road.
Actually, years ago, a friend told me about a plan proposed by the local congressman at the time (to gain support from the ranchers in the area) to build a road through the park.
We hiked in, along the proposed path, and I shot a slide show showing the springs, oasis areas and even the remains of a homestead cabin, all of which would have been destroyed. I gave a slide-show presentation (this was pre-digital!). In the end the road idea was abandoned, probably because the Feds said no, but it was a an interesting time.
The hike up to the reservoir is very entertaining. It is interesting that the dam, made up of giant blocks of rock, and the chiseled-out steps, were done in 1933, by the WPA to end the Great Depression.
You have to think about the foresight someone had to do this as this area was totally out in nowhere and the roads to it were rough at best. How did they power their equipment? How did they get the compressors up there (no helicopters then)? How did they make those giant blocks of granite and then move them to make a dam?
This was done long ago and none of the workers are still alive. Just amazing.
Tip: when you are in a totally dark cave, make bat noises and touch the hair of your hiking companion. They love that and will surely reward you in some way later.
Oh, and check out the wed site to make sure which caves are open. That way you can plan your trip better. Also, get up early and arrive at 8:00. Beat the crowds and the heat in summer.
Like everyone says, bring water, food, proper clothing, flashlight and camera.
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I decided to trek north to Pinnacles National Monument for a little Halloween adventure. After getting some good Mexican food in King City, the 25-mile drive east through the winding roads on bucolic rolling green hills was anything but scary.
This is a great time to visit Pinnacles because the triple-digit summer temperatures have subsided and the terrain becomes a lot friendlier to hikers and rock climbers. Even the animals seem a lot happier. Although there were few hikers on my visit, the rock faces had a good number of climbers glued to them. I had the lengthy Chalone Peak Trail and Condor Gulch Trail practically to myself and it seemed, as I made my way to the top of each, that I had the world to myself, too.
My Halloween adventure didn't include any bat encounters while going through Bear Gulch Cave, but I came upon a lone tarantula on one of my hikes who seemed glad to have me hang out with it for a few minutes. I think we bonded, but I can't be sure.
I don't understand why the Pinnacles pastoral landscape doesn't get more visitors, but it's all the more for me when I return again soon.
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We blindly came down here in the midst of the sizzling hot summer. So exactly how hot was it down at Pinnacles? 105 degrees Fahrenheit! No joke. When we first arrived, we saw a barren campsite with few people... we were like oh shit... bad choice.
The next day, we began our real adventure. We hiked up to the caves and the resevoir. We hiked up to Balconies caves the following day. Just remember to bring a flashlight, you will really need it. The experience was fantastic. It's simply worth it.
Oh, another plus, no mosquitos! But there are a lot of yellow jackets and humongous beetles.. many tiny lizards, and a lot of snakes.
I couldn't believe we have such spectacular rock formations so close to the bay area before I got here!
The hike upto the reservoir was spectacular. make sure you have a powerful flashlight. And also make sure to go early, the parking lot closest to the west side access points tends to get filled up fast. We ended up doing an extra 2+ miles because we got there late.
Simply amazing!
If you have not had the chance to come here you need to do it. The rocks are just amazing, the hiking trails are great, and next time I am coming here to climb because they have some great climbing sections.
There are several simple trails to hike as well as some more advance trails but overall this is a great place to enjoy mother earth. The caves were also very cool but to my disappointment, the major one was off limits do to the bat screwing season! However there are still smaller caves you can explore.
Can't wait to return!!
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Last weekend, we kicked off our camping season with Saturday night at Pinnacles. We managed to squeeze in two nice short hikes in the two days. If I hadn't been so out of shape from my winter hibernation, I'm sure we would've done much more.
Great place to relax and enjoy nature. The stars burn so bright, the moon is so big at night. My only wish is that we could go to Pinnacles more often. It truly is a peaceful, other worldly place.
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11/14/2008
How is that I've lived in California almost my entire life and still am discovering there are so… Read more »
The hiking trails are nice and there are plenty of rocks to climb if you feel the urge to free climb.
CAMPSITE 37 is the best, by far.
Overall, this is a pretty secluded spot because its really out in the sticks.
I came here on a camping trip with my coworkers and loved it. It was definitely really warm, but it was great eating and drinking beers by the campfire. I loved the day-long hike we went on. It was tiring for me, but I loved going in the caves with our flashlights. It felt totally different from anything I had ever done before.
I just got back last weekend from camping here and I really enjoyed it! It was a bit chilly but it was great!
Let me tell you, I don't give out 5 out of 5 stars very often but this campsite gets 5 stars because because it has toilets and a shower! :O I know, I'm so high maintenance (sadly), so showering once out of 4 days was pretty good for me.
Alright, so about the camp groups, it was really great. It was difficult to navigate to find out site but we arrived in the middle of the night (12am) and it was pitch dark so if you arrive that late, I suggest stopping at the front and taking a look at the map first so you know where to go.
There were fire pits and restrooms across from us, but the lights didn't work, so the first night, I had three guys stand in the bathroom while I went wee wee with a lantern. It was really hilarious... and awkward. :P
In the morning when we woke up there were critters just everywhere. In fact, every morning this bunny and it's baby would come visit us at our camp (#31) then go back into the bushes.
At night the stars were out and it was really great cause I swear you could see everything since there was practically no light pollution. When it started to get busy, it does tend to get a bit loud. Quiet time is from 10pm-8am by camp ground rules, but people don't necessarily follow it. However, most campsites are far enough apart that it's not really an issue.
Helpful tips
There are showers located at the entrance. Each shower had hot water (91 degrees they said) and it lasts for 6 minutes with a waiting time of 4 minutes in between showers
There are nettles everywhere, so watch where you step!
They sell firewood and other things at the store at the entrance but the store closes promptly at 8pm.
No feeding the animals
No loud noises from 10pm to 8am
There is running water
**The bat cave visit is a must!
Well, that's all I can remember for now! Enjoy it! It's really beautiful!
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I've been to Pinnacles NM a bunch of times pre-Yelp so I had to go again. I went with some friends on Sun 4/20/08 and it was a perfect day. Weather was clear & not hot. Don't go there in the Summer or you'll want to die.
We entered on the East Entrance side. You take Hwy 25 to Hwy 146 and follow it to the entrance. You can pay the $5 fee at the Bear Valley Visitor's Center or just drive up a ways and there's someone in the booth to pay your money. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass then you just show that w/ ID to get a Receipt to put on your dash.
We started at Bear Gulch parking lot. Separate bathrooms are up the small hill in the parking lot. We did the Bear Gulch Cave Trail - saw the Bear Gulch Reservoir - then climbed & climbed the Chalone Peak Trail. Good views of Little Pinnacles. We continued to North Chalone Peak (3304 ft) w/ great 360 degree views & 2 pit toilets just below the summit.
If you want extra mileage then do South Chalone Peak (3269 ft), otherwise skip it because the view over there SUCKS & the trail is unmaintained by the park.
On the way back we wanted to do the Moses Spring Trail but instead went on the Rim Trail. We think Moses Springs Trail u have to catch from the Bear Gulch Cave..not sure. Total mileage we did: 12 miles, amount of time to do: 7hrs. Drive each way: 2hrs.
Go on a clear day in Spring & check the website to see if the caves are open. When we went Bear Gulch Cave was partially open. Bring Flashlights for the Caves - you'll need them!
Recommended.
Website:
http://www.nps.gov/pinn/
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I love Pinnacles National Monument! There are plenty of trails to explore throughout the park whether you are looking for a nice leisurely hike or an intense climb. There are some cool caves to walk through, as long as the bats aren't kicking everyone out for the season. The rock formations are amazing to look at, and if your up for it go along the crest trail near the top and you can climb all around them which is awesome!
A word of advice though, make sure you know what you're getting into before you start out on any of the loops. I made the unfortunate decision of pulling my groups with me on one of the climbs to the ridge and found that it was a little too much to handle especially with the heat that day for them. Along with this make sure that you know what the weather will be like before you go. This place can really heat up so be forewarned!
I love that this place is so close to the bay area. Do yourself a favor and check it out!
Amazing place. The rocks are fantastic, thus monumental. There are little caves and peaceful ponds with wooden bridges. I camped there over Labor Day with friends and we didnt have enough time to explore; there were so many great hikes. (Some hikes were inaccessible due to bat mating.)
We also got a little top roping in; there arent many routes for top ropers (like most of the State). Anyway, it is worth the drive from SF.
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For all I've seen of California, I'm not sure I've ever been here before. But for a couple of weeks we have an exchange student from France living with us, so we thought this would be a fun daytrip and could show him some of California's natural beauty (the group is going to SF and Oakland and Columbia State Historic Park and the like, but nothing of Calfornia's geology, etc.)
So, I'll start with my one negative about Pinnacles: their website isn't that well written and I totally misunderstood the directions and underestimated how long it would take us to get there ... 1.5 hours each way is a LONG way. However, I think that's the only real negative of the day.
That said, that one negative was not enough to reduce this review from 5 stars. The visitor's center has friendly and helpful people working in it, the bathrooms are clean and have TP, there's a shuttlebus to the top when the parking up top is full (and it's a nice clean shuttlebus too!), the trails are well-marked and have railings in all the places where a weenie like me is likely to be saying "aaah, kids be CAREFUL!"
Our hike was from the upper parking lot, up through a forested area, to caves with waterfalls (and dark enough to require flashlights) and up to a reservoir where the kids skipped stones and explored the shoreline. We watched people rockclimbing, saw lizards, ravens, vultures, squirrels, and lesser-spotted teenagers enjoying themselves. ;)
Definitely bring a flashlight *for each person* if you do the cave trails (there are staircases in the dark to navigate), water, and a camera.
I just wish it wasn't quite so far away - we spent as much time driving there and back as we did in the park ... but for a 6-hour daytrip it was a lot of fun. (I'm not big on camping, however we talked to campers on the shuttle and they said there are a variety of campsites - with for RVs, for people who need power plugs, and for people roughing it so definitely worth checking out if you camp.)
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We went there last time from the east entrance and it was a little busy. We walked around the cave and found the lake.
We went there again from the west entrance and it was a lot quiet. We tried to take the balconies cave but it didn't seem to be a good idea to do it in a late afternoon. But we were very happy to come here again and see rocks remained from an ancient volcano.
A great hiking place with impressive scenery.
If you're looking for a secluded hiking getaway, Pinnacles is the place to go!
I'll admit I was a little hesitant to make the 2 hr. drive down to this national monument in the Gilroy/Hollister area, given that I never expected there to be anything really scenic out there. BUT, after spending a total of 5 hours hiking out there, I was glad that I gave it a go and am pleasantly surprised that other Yelpers found it to be just as enjoyable!
We started off on the Old Pinnacles Trail to the Balconies Cave which was a pretty tame trail w/ no elevation gain. The Balconies Cave is surreal and definitely worth the trek!! I love how we were able to wander in and explore it on our own w/ no guides around & no other visitors echoing their voices off the walls. I highly recommend that you bring along a flashlight since we would've ran into a little snag had I not had my keyring flashlight handy! Once you figure out how to climb through a small cave opening, you're greeted by beautiful views of giant, rust-colored boulders that make you feel like you're in the flick, Honey I Shrunk the Kids.
We then hiked onto the High Peaks trail where we climbed up to 1,500 feet in elevation. I'm not gonna lie- I was huffin' and puffin' here and there since it's a steep incline, but all my hard work paid off once we reached the top and were higher than all the pinnacles around us! We were rewarded with breathtaking views which were followed by a neat hike through the peaks w/ an impressively maintained trail. I felt like I was climbing a house staircase at one point, especially w/ their well-placed handrails.
In addition to hiking trails, Pinnacles provides a rock climbing area as well! I've never been to a park/monument that's offered that! I even bouldered a little bit by the caves and by the High Peaks. The cliffs are perfect for it!
A couple pointers if you're planning on visiting:
-Check out http://www.nps.gov/ before you go! Their website is a great resource & is beautifully done.
-Beware of the South Wilderness Trail! We started to explore it until we discovered that it was overrun with Poison Oak and decided to backtrack.
-Bring plennnnnty of water. Luckily we brought a CamelPak that came in handy for our entire hike, but if we didn't bring it I probably would've never made it!
-Like everyone else stated, it's a good idea to go in the Spring time since it does get pretty dry and hot in the summer.
-Be prepared to throw down $5 for parking.
-I would avoid the entrance campgrounds if you're thinking of setting up shop there. The campsite seemed pretty exposed and a bit unnatural. I heard there are other campsites in the park to visit.
I'll be returning to check out the rock climbing and do more exploring!
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Made the trek down to the Pinnacles on this perfect California day. Glad I did. Wonderful and unique experience. Is a National Park with 30 mi. of trails through very unique scenery.
Sitting on the remnants of an ancient volcano, Pinnacles provides exemplary scenery. It is chaparral country with peaks and rock pinnacles that can only be found in this location about 30 mi. south of Hollister, CA.
We went in the East entrance which I recommend. Stop at the ranger station and talk to the very friendly and knowledgeable rangers. Many trails to choose from moderate to difficult.
We chose the Bear Gulch Trail through the caves up to Bear Gulch Reservoir, and then back down via the Moses Lake Trail. Both are moderate. Wear good hiking shoes (not sneakers), bring plenty of water, camera, flashlights for the caves, binoculars, snacks or lunch. Head out from the ranger station. Took about 45 min. to get to the lake. Fascinating scenery to include peaks, pinnacles, unique rock formations, lichen, various trees and shrubs. Really unique and well worth the effort.
The caves are a blast. They are formed by the rocks tumbling down and stacking up on each other over 1000s of years. You go in and out, and then back in and out, down and up. Some passages are narrow. Fun to shine the flashlights down to see inside cave waterfalls.
When you finally climb the rock stairs at the end, you come up on the Bear Gulch Reservoir. Nice place to picnic on a nearby rock and enjoy the tranquil scenery. Great view of the high peaks in the background from the lake area.
There are more difficult trails that take you up higher and there you have a chance to see the grand California condors in flight. This is one location where they were re-introduced after almost going extinct in the 80s.
A walk on the trail is tranquil and serene. Hearing the wind rush through the canyon is both ethereal and surreal. Wonderful escape from the big city life.
Highly recommended for a day trip from the Bay Area.
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Shorter than a drive to Tahoe or Yosemite (roughly an hour & 45 min drive from Fremont), you can hike among cool rock formations and get a little LOTR action by exploring some bat caves (it's not that often that you get to bust out a very sexy headlamp!). It wasn't true spelunking cuz there was nada water in the caves this year.
We did a clockwise 8.6 mi loop (2040 elevation gain) from the Chalone Creek trailhead to High Peaks, Tunnel, Juniper Canyon, Balconies, and Old Pinnacles Trails. The groovy bat caves are below the Balconies Cliffs and Machete Ridge.
Pinnacles charges $5 per car. Due to the trek to just past Hollister, I'd recommend staying a night over. There's supposedly only a window of time to go in early spring or fall - otherwise it's either too cold or you're gonna bake in the sun - there's very little coverage.
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Thanks again for our amazing national parks system!
I recently learned that the difference between a National Park and a National Monument has nothing to do with the site itself. Congress designates Parks and the President Monuments. Pinnacles is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
The drive from SF was pretty painless, and even though I am not a fan of car time, the drive from Hollister to the park is very beautiful. The two primary attractions of Pinnacles are (1) the California condor recovery program and other habitat and (2) the unusual rock formations, including talus caves, which are basically a narrow cave with a giant rock on top. You can enter either on the east side or the west side but cannot drive through. The Pinnacles campground is on the east side.
The caves are cool and there are a lot of trail options. We saw ranger talks on the history of the area, since it was Homesteaders Weekend, and also on the California condor.
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Shortly after my first visit to the Pinnacles in 2002 the NPS, in collaboration with the Ventana Wildlife Society, initiated a recovery program for the largest, and rarest, of North American land birds -- the California Condor. The program is achieving some success in increasing numbers of the critically endangered bird.
If you aren't particularly fascinated by birds (well, I'm still not very fond of Parakeets and their associated crew of pipsqueaks), that may change after your first Condor sighting -- particularly if it occurs toward the end of the hike after about a dozen misidentifications of Turkey Vultures for Condors. Check out the NPS Pinnacle webpage for tips on distinguishing the two birds before you go. And read the Wikipedia entry on the CA Condor before you go to improve your interest in, and appreciation for, this fine looking, fine-flying and fighting to stay alive New World Vulture.
The hike, by the way, even if you don't see a Condor, should please you with its display of wildflowers -- mostly Venus Thistle this year due to light rainfall -- wildlife (we saw a gray fox, striped racer snake, desert cottontail, jackrabbits, Acorn Woodpeckers, gobs of lizards and...have I mentioned Turkey Vultures?), interesting looking volcanic rock formations, good clean air and expansive views from the "high peaks".
There are two "Park" entrances: East and West. Suggestion: Start your hike at the Bear Gulch Visitor Center, accessible via the East Entrance. Go before the end of May if possible to avoid scorching temperatures as there is little shade offered for large stretches of the hike. Pack plenty of water and, if you'd like to see a Condor, start your hike late enough so that you will be on the trail in the very late afternoon to early evening which is when you're most likely to spot one.
Then, time your drive back to Oakland so that when you are passing through Morgan Hill on the freeway and you pull over to get gas you are struck with surprise to see a beautiful Trader Joes sign up ahead and by some good fortune it's only 8:45! Spend those 15 minutes scurrying around, snatching up snacks in your talons left and right for the hour remainder drive home since for some reason you didn't think it was important to pack food for the trip.
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Okay...it's a reviewers worst flashback...CAVES...and I'm claustrophobic! Not a good place to take a kid in grade school, but hey, I survived it and strongly RECOMMEND you checking out the Pinnacles...
okay...but NOT in the middle of summer...well, now wait...if it is super HOT outside...should be cool in the caves, right?
GO...you won't forget it...
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Well well well.
I have been to this National Park more than any other in the world. Probably 20-30 times. It's the hidden gem out here in the deep south bay south east of Hollister.
The hikes are fun and the caves (since they are open again) are a blast to go through. There's something for every skill level and on the weekends you can always be sure to see rock climbers going at it.
I have never been camping out here but it can get from very hot and dry to very cold and windy.
There are miles and miles of trails out here with great rolling vistas, breathtaking views and unbelievable rock formations.
If you have never been out here it's worth the drive to check out.
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I feel bad giving this place a 3, mainly because my experience there was partly related to poor planning/timing on my part. I checked http://weather.com the night before, and the prediction for the next day was a high of 82 degrees. I planned to arrive there by 8am, so it should have been around the high 60s at that point. Unfortunately, I arrived later than planned, and upon getting out of the car, I knew I was in trouble. It was already 91 degrees (in late October!). I had to wait several minutes at the entrance gate while the man in front of my talked with the attendant. Not a big deal. My admission was free (it's normally $5) because I have a National Park Pass for this year ($80 for a year, well worth it!). I drove in the park and drove around a bit, figuring out where I wanted to start. I pulled in to the Bear Gulch Visitor's Center and parked in a 20 minute spot. My plan was to run in, check to see if the ranger had any other suggestions (we had a hike planned), and then go park the car in whatever lot we needed to. Immediately upon parking in that 20 minute spot, a truck with the National Park Service pulled up, and asked us what we were doing there. I pointed to the Visitor's Center/Nature Center and told her what my plan was, and she asked again, "What are you doing here?" I told her again, a little confused and then started toward the Visitor's Center. I went in, talked to the ranger, got a suggestion, and left. I was maybe in the spot for 5 minutes. The woman from the truck was waiting by my car when I came out. She then followed me from my spot out toward the parking area near Old Pinnacles. It was full, so she followed me to another parking area...It was really weird. I am not sure if she thought I planned to park for the day in the 20 minute parking when I pulled up or what, but she was acting very suspicious of me... Most of the parking areas were full, and we ended up needing to park further from the trail head than planned. Again, my fault, because it was later than I intended to get there. I had plenty of water, but am not used to hiking when it's 90 degrees, so I didn't make it very far. Because I didn't make it very far, I didn't see all (or even most) of what this park has to offer. From my limited visit: the rock formations here aren't as unusual/unbelievable as I had thought they might be after reading other's reviews. I've seen formations like this in Western Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The cave was okay, but again, nothing spectacular. I've been spelunking across the U.S. so I guess this was just all right. I will be back though when it's not so hot outside. And I'll plan better...
Happy 100th Anniversary Pinnacles National Monument. I promise I will be back and will update my review...
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A fun & relaxing camping retreat....ahhhhh.....GREAT campsites.
CAMPING:~Nice, big campsites allow you to spread out. I love how the website has photos so you can see what each campsite looks like.
~A ton of animals, deer, raccoons, and birds came to visit us! Those animals sure are friendly.
~The loveliness of camping is the peace and quiet, and you definitely get that here. Fellow campers were respectful, and it's not as crowded as Yosemite or Kings.
HIKING:~Great hiking with just the right amount of ups and downs. I want to return to do more of the trails. We happened to be there during the 2 weeks of the year when the talus caves are fully open. Normally, they're half closed to protect the bat nesting grounds. It was fun crawling in and out of the caves and little nooks and crannies. I saw guano! & a 3-inch mini snake!
DRIVE: This was the most amazing part. The drive there is absolutely breathtaking; seriously no words can describe the vibrancy of it. Even the grass was this supernatural, technicolor green. The rolling hills took my breath away. Just when I thought I'd seen and done everything...to find this jewel near Salinas Valley was awe-inspiring.
WEATHER: We braved 30-degree night temperatures, but you know what? It wasn't that bad. Campers go to bed early anyway! I'm glad I did it. Survivorman & me. That's right.
OVERALL: A favorite destination of rock-climbers, but really Pinnacles is for everyone. Make a trip out there when the weather's warm!
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I finally wised up and traded in the summer vacations at overpopulated culture-free corporate fauxcations for spring vacations at places less heard of. First stop, Pinnacles National Monument.
This park is weird in that you access it from either the west or the east, but there's no connection through the park, and it's about an hour and a half from one entrance to the next. A big draw is the caves, and luckily you can access caves on either side. If you're a hearty enough hiker you could even hike across the park to see all the sights, but I've got a three year old, so it was the easy to moderate trails for us.
So our plan was thus, from our hotel in Soledad circle around to the east side and hike the bear gulch cave trail, then circle back around grabbing lunch in King City, to hike the balconies cave trail. The distinctive mountaintop pinnacle features were visible in glimpses through the drive, which turned out to be an extension of the enjoyment of the day. The scenery is just gorgeous - rolling hills, ranches, critters. And the road has enough twists n turns n ups n downs to work out the driving muscle. I was sickened thinking of life back in Santa Craplita during this drive.
We arrived at the east side, got our day pass from a nice ranger at the visitor center, then while we were sun saucing up another ranger spoke with us at length about what to expect, especially with the little one. We were in sturdy clothes, sneakers with traction, with flashlights and bottles of water, and found that we were suitably prepared. The bear gulch cave hike had a steady elevation gain, but our daughter had no problem keeping up. The cave was fantastic, cool, with waterfalls flowing through, and you just keep going up up up until you finally appear at the top of the ridge where the reservoir is. We then picked up the rim trail which took us slightly higher before returning us back to the parking lot. I would strongly recommend this route when seeing the cave - I just think it was a lot cooler ascending through the cave than descending would've been.
At the reservoir some other hikers had spotted a snake in a tree, so my daughter was able to get an up close peek at it. We also saw lizards and condors. Unfortunately, after that adventure my daughter wasn't up for hitting the west side, so we skipped it and went back to the hotel after lunch.
Light crowds, beautiful scenery (including the views just getting there), hiking at all skill levels, awesome rock formations and wicked cool caves. 5 stars.
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Pinnacles National Monument may very well be the highlight of the oft-overlooked inland mountain ranges of the Central Coast.
The primary attraction here is the absolutely fabulous rock formations, and some amazingly built trails that have been blasted into staircases and tunnels in several places.
For a day of hiking, I recommend parking on the west side and taking the Juniper Canyon Trail to the High Peaks Trail to the Tunnel Trail and back, about 4.4 miles. Then, if you're up for more, head out on the Balconies trail, about 2.4 miles round trip. Also note that there is quite a bit of Wilderness Area around the monument so you can do an overnight trip here, useful if you don't fancy 5 hours of driving in one day.
Really this is a place better described with pictures than words, though somehow most of the pictures don't do it justice either...but they can still give you the idea. A must-do for hikers looking for something unique and relatively undiscovered.
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Spectacular!
I was planning to stop at that, but I have nothing else to occupy me right now, so ...
Most important warning : this place can get HOT, very HOT, especially as you hike up. Make sure you have a cap, wear light-colored clothers, be prepared to strip (I am not one to insist on limits imposed by decency!), and take water - lots of water. With those few steps, you should be ready to enjoy this beautiful place just south of the industrial wasteland (i mean, Silly Valley).
Whether you like unusual rock formations (http://flickr.com/phot...), or you love redheads (http://flickr.com/phot...) or you like silhouttes in blue (http://flickr.com/phot...), you will find something to like here.
Along the way, take a break on Hwy 25 because you may see a hovering white-tailed kite (http://flickr.com/phot...) or you might just get a most pleasing road pic (http://flickr.com/phot...).
Finally, if you are going during spring, watch out for the flowers - you may catch a starburst (http://flickr.com/phot...)!
A volcanic eruption and continental drift created this magnificent set of peaks. Hiking trails can get strenuous and maybe be extra difficult if you're not in really good shape. The views are staggering and breathtaking at the top. The visitor's center sells big bottles of water for $1 a pop. Well-marked hiking trails, rock climbing routes, tunnels, and lots of wildlife make this a good place to escape to, if you need to get back in touch with nature or get out of your rut.
Hiking to the top takes a long time on rocky trails, but the view is well worth the effort. How in the world have I lived in the Bay Area for 7.5 years and never made it out here before now?
The Pinnacles are lovely, I can't believe I've lived in the Bay Area my whole life and didn't even know they existed. If you want to go in the summer time, try to get there early...you'll miss the people and the heat too. We got there at 8am last Friday and had the whole place to ourselves...it was really nice not having to share.
We didn't do a big hike, since we knew it was going to get hot...but I would love to come back here again on a milder day to see what they really have to offer. The long drive from WC was more than worth it :)
what i learned on this trip via a ranger/birdy biologist: a monument is just a park, but since a u.s. president deemed it a park, it becomes a monument. this monument became a monument because of teddy roosevelt. who woulda thunk it. i'm sure there are other differences between a park and a monument, you'll just have to go google that.
anyhoo i'm not much of a camper, so i don't really have anything to compare the campgrounds to, but i do have to say it was really nice and good for peeps who are not hardcore outdoorsy like me. we went this last weekend and the bat caves were open and that was really neat...not good for those who are inclined to claustrophobia or do not have waterproof hiking shoes on or who do not have flashlights handy cause the cave we were in was dark, wet and parts of it were really narrow. we also did the 8 mile hike and i am still sore from it even as i write this review. the sites were beautiful and the air was fresh.
i would definitely go camping here again, but hopefully the showers will be open next time. this whole not showering thing was not too pleasant for me, but i survived.
so if you want a nice little get away weekend camping, this place is definitely worth a visit.
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Hiking at Pinnacles, you are climbing an ancient volcano that was split by the San Andreas Fault. 2/3 is Pinnacles; the other third is down near L.A. somewhere.
There are tons of wildflowers in the spring. The rock formations are very unique and quite interesting to climb up, around and through.
Hiking for the inexperienced can get quite strenuous here. It is pretty hot in the late spring and summer. The day we were there, an unfortunate man had a mild heart attack on the trail and had to be air lifted out. The rangers and park staff did an excellent job and he got out safely. For some reason, people (particularly guys) tend to overestimate their physical capabilities. It's smarter to work up to Pinnacles by training on shorter hikes ahead of time.
I've hikes the Pinnacles more times than I can count, but it continues to impress me. I normally avoid it this time of year because of the heat, but had a friend come from the Bay Area that really wanted to check it out, so off we went. OK, first of all, those unfamiliar with the area should know that male tarantulas are out and about in October in this area... we passed a few on the road.. THEY ARE HUGE ~ can't miss em, but luckily didn't see any at the park. ( this visit.. I have seen them there in past Octobers) We entered from the East Entrance and did the normal hike I always do which is Condor Gulch to High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop. This hike is labeled as strenuous and it is! It kicks my ass every time, but I love it! The rock formations and views are absolutely stunning. The wildlife is normally pretty incredible as well... we didn't see much more than a few lizards today, but often you can see quite a variety of creatures. The Pinnacles is one of a few release sites in the U.S. and Mexico for the California Condor, and it's not uncommon at all to see the condors.
There are numerous trails to hike that aren't strenuous... I just like the challenge. I've been to the park during all seasons, and it's beautiful year around, but for all around beauty, the spring is probably the best time to visit when the temps are a bit better and all the flowers are in bloom. If you love nature, you'll love this park... just be sure to bring LOTS OF WATER!
We have been out to Pinnacles twice now. The first time we went, we hiked out to the Balconies caves from the west entrance. We were there in May (I think, perhaps March - it was an M month), and it was hot. I'm pretty sure it was March. Anyway, it was a great hike. The Balconies caves require some sliding down rock on your ass, and you absolutely need a flashlight. There was water running through the cave, but we didn't need to hike through any water. I remember the trail went through some dried out riverbeds, so perhaps at some point one would be hiking through water. But it would have been fairly shallow.
Then we hiked up a trail where we gained some height and had some great views. On the way out we saw some bird watchers, and paused to look at whatever they were looking at. It was falcons I believe - they offered their binoculars, but the birds were pretty small still. When it's warm you really need some water with you.
Our next trip out was only a couple days ago, and this time we headed in on the east side. This is an easier drive into the park by far, and I think it was a better hike. We did the Bear Gulch caves (partially closed for bat hibernation - not bears - and I didn't see any bats, even though I went right up to the gate where they close off the cave and peered in... no bats sighted). The cave is larger, and has steps so it's waaay easier to get through, although you feel more touristy and not as much "hey I'm sliding on my ass through a cave, look at me" and all that and whatevers. Anyway, the cave was really cool. And although you may need a flashlight, it's possible you could perhaps get away without one. I mean, bring one for sure. But I think there may have been slight light throughout. But maybe not - don't take my word for it. But Balconies you're sliding on your ass through pitch dark, and Bear Gulch you aren't in true pitch dark at any point, although I'm sure there are some dark corners. But you can definitely see light at all times from some source.
Wow, that's a lot of blabber. So you then hike on up to the Bear Gulch Reservoir - and that's really scenic little spot. A good spot to stop for a snack. You can take a trail half way along the south side of the lake for some views. Then we took some "Rim" trail that takes you up higher and you get some excellent views facing east (over the parking lot, though you can't really see it, just the odd glint of a car).
So we've done the two basic short trail hikes on each side, and will certainly return for one of the longer hikes.
Balconies trail is marked as Easy/Moderate - while we were hiking it felt easy - I was never out of breath. But for whatever reason my thighs ached real bad the next day or two after. While I regularly work out, I didn't use those muscles much back then - so perhaps that's why. Bear Gulch is marked as Moderate, but it's a fairly easy hike (no aching this time) - so either I'm using those muscles now or it's an easier hike. It seems fairly similar, but it's certainly easier going through that cave and the elevation gain seems more gradual.
Winter (we went on Boxing day) is a great time to go - we had on a few layers, just a light coat though, mitts and a toque and it was perfect. A bit of a chill in the air, but you quickly warm up with the hike. No bugs, snakes and stuff will be deep in the ground. It was truly a perfect time to go.
Regardless, it's the best natural area/hike I've been to in or around the Bay Area, by far. Beware of the hot weather (google pinnacles weather before heading out, and plan for spring/winter/fall), bring some food and water, wear your sunscreen, and remember a camera. And don't be idiots like us and forget your still camera's battery in the wall back home.
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One of the best day trips I took from San Francisco was to Pinnacles National Monument. More of a park than a monument. We spent the day out here hiking. While on the trail we saw bats, raptors, and many other creatures scurrying around. At one point on the trail we were using flashlights to get through caves(where we saw the bats) and at other times we were on switchbacks that took us up over 1,400 ft in elevation(where we saw the Raptors, from their Raptor rehab program) from the trail head. As strenuous as the trail was, the views from the top were amazing. Be warned the terrain is is rough depending on which trail you choose. Don't forget flashlights and water, you will need both. Best to visit during Spring and Fall, Summer is brutally hot and Winter is the wet season.
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Behold the splendor of The Pinnacles. It's a great place for hiking and exploring. California Condors on-site. Very knowledgable staff. 30 miles of trails. Go there now!
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Pinnacles is incredible. I never cease to be amazed at how many fantastic natural places are so close to, or within, the Bay Area (I've lived here since I was 2, you'd think I'd have gotten used to it by now), and without a doubt Pinnacles is very near the top of the list. The geology here is incredible (pinnacles!), the hiking is super fun (caves!), the birds are impressive (condors!), and the scenery is mind blowing! This place looks unlike anyplace else, and it's right in your backyard. Hell, it's only 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours from most of the Bay Area! Back in the 30's the Civilian Conservation Corps did a real bang-up job in constructing some really cool trails through here, and I have to say that it's some of the most entertaining stuff that I've ever walked on. The caves of course everybody knows about (too bad they're so short), and the steep and narrow section of the High Peaks trail is well known for its tiny stairs carved into the sheer rock and the narrow trails clinging to the rock edge (don't worry, they have pipe railings for those parts), but everywhere you go you seem to come across something that is just plain fun to walk through, under, over, or around. You can also get a good bit of exercise here if you hike all of the available trails.
The camping here is somewhat disappointing, but that's another review (see the review for the Pinnacles Campground: http://www.yelp.com/bi...), but if you do choose to stay the night you can fairly easily cover pretty much all of the trails in the central part of the park. Don't let that keep you from coming here just for a day trip, however, as you can still see quite a bit if you're here only for the day (here's a tip if you're only coming for a daytrip: go to the west trailhead on the Soledad side of the monument, hike through and back over the Balconies Caves, and then head up the Juniper Canyon Trail and loop around the High Peaks Trail and the Tunnel Trail before heading back down - or just go for broke and hike all the way across the park and back).
If you like the outdoors, like to hike, live anywhere nearby, you MUST come here. Just make sure not to come during the heat of the summer - springtime is by far a better time to visit, generally in April or May.
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I've visited this park twice and each time from a different entrance. Entering from the west side, you'll most lightly hike upon many rock climbers.
The last time I went here, we drove in from the east entrance which is near the Bear Gulch Trail. Upon entering the park, park your car in the lot and take the left trail until you reach the visitor's center. At the visitor's center, check out information on Pinnacles National Monument and pick up a hiking map. Exit the center and turn left to begin your hike up to the High Peaks. The beginning of this trail is most scenic. This is earthquake country so you'll see lots of fallen boulders which created the cave in which you will be hiking through. In early spring, the valley floor may be a flooded with rain water. This leads to early spring hiking and the need for a flashlight to find stepping stones in the cave. The hike through the cave is brief where it will lead you to a steep staircase leading out to a beautiful breath taking Bear Gulch reservoir. From here the hike to the high peaks or pinnacles is a series of switch backs. As you ascend the mountain, you'll see more and more pinnacle formations. Once you reach the peak area, there is an out house and you can rest or take a breather for lunch where you sit and look out at the view. At the top, there are gigantic phallic monuments before your eyes. As you traverse across the trails, you'll notice parts of the paths were built by the Army Corps of Engineer like the steep carved out stairs and rock overhangs with a metal built in paths. Your descent will continue with some scenic lookouts and switchbacks.
Call ahead for cave access. It may be closed part of the season for hibernating bats.
Things to bring for this hike: Hat, flashlight, water, food, sun glasses, and sunscreen.
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this is a great place to go hiking. Bring binoculars so you can tell the difference between the Turkey Vultures and the Condors. We didn't have time to check out the caves this trip but would like to come back when the entire cave is open in May or October.
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