Rising from chaparralcovered hills, pinnacles national monument is an excellent hiking area filled with towering rock spires, narrow gorges and talus caves. Pdf files and external links will open in a new window. Pinnacles national park distinctive rock is formed into talus caves, canyons, and towering rock spires filled with flora and fauna. Top 3 hikes at pinnacles national monument the fresno bee. The national park service is modifying its operations on a. Park map 193kb pdf file pinnacles expansion map 110kb jpg file pinnacles wilderness expansion 88kb jpg file this map shows the wilderness areas that were recently added to the park. In the high peaks area, most of the park s trails navigate the pinnacles formation at the heart of the park.
Pinnacles national monument balconies p i n n a c l e r o c k s h i g h p e a k s bear gulch visitor center chaparral bear. Reviews 2555 photos 28899 recordings 1865 sort by angie lira on condor gulch. Click the image to view a full size jpg 250 kb or download the pdf 1. View central coast trails and campgrounds in a larger map. Pinnacles national park has around 30 miles of trails, mostly well used, in a good state of maintenance, and relatively easy to follow. Pinnacles national monument west entrance gate closes overnight east entrance pinnacles campground. Pinnacles is characterized by its dramatic rock formations, remnants of an ancient volcanic field, that are popular among rock climbs as well as hikers. High peaks trail to bear gulch in pinnacles national park. If youre looking for a pinnacles map, youve come to the right place.
At the parks northern end near the town of cervantes, there is a loop trail and boardwalk at lake thetis where you can see some fascinating thrombolites rocklike. Best hiking trails in pinnacles national park california. Our pinnacles national park guide has everything you need to know about camping, hiking, climbing, and caving. Our favorite trail is a loop through high peaks trail. Superintendent, pinnacles national monument paicenes ca 95043 408 3894485 hike length. Pinnacles national park has more than 30 miles of trails that showcase the beauty of the park up close and personal. Pinnacles national park paicines 2020 all you need to. Pdf format maps of pinnacles national park, from the national park service. Pinnacles campground is located at the east entrance off of highway 25 from hollister, ca north and king city, ca south.
Pinnacles is a rock climbers mecca, with more than 188 routes from 5. Most are bolted sport climbs, but there are plenty of traditional routes as well. Pinnacles national park the greatest american road trip. Find your favorite hike in pinnacles and then come back and share a comment or a rating. The maps here include a campground map, as well as the main map and inset map that come on the park brochure. Tucked in the heart of the salinas valley southeast of san francisco, more than 20 miles in either direction from a town anyone has heard of, is pinnacles national park. You will not find it marked on the park map, but that doesnt make it any lessworthy of your time. Towering cliffs, sheer limestone ledges, and waterfalls are but a few of the spectacular features of this preserve. Check the kauaeranga valley map pdf, 2,321k for open tracks.
Best views trails in pinnacles national park alltrails. Things to do in pinnacles national park visit california. Pinnacles national monument topographic map and nearby trails. There is a good trail there called the old pinnnacles trail. This is a detail map of pinnacles national park, showing the trails and features in the center of the park in greater detail. Follow the road about a half mile east to the park entrance. Map of pinnacles national park in west central california beside the san andreas rift zone. The pinnacles volcanic formation developed some 23 million years ago. Pinnacles national park is mainly known for the two caves that it has, but if you go and dont visit the high peaks, then you are missing out.
Hikes range from flat stretches of grasslands to uphill climbs through talus caves onward to the rocky spires that pinnacles is famous for. For trail descriptions, see the pinnacles national park hiking index. Hike to the pinnacle in shenandoah np, pinnacles picnic area. Trail map 74kb gif file line map of the trails at pinnacles national park. The park is famous for volcanically formed rock spires as well as spectacular hiking and rock climbing.
Pinnacles national park is a small, recentlyupgraded monument. The longest trail in pinnacles national park is north wilderness trail a wellknown trail measuring 30. Balconies caves trail balconies cliffs trail o l d pi n n a c l e s t r a i l tunnel trail n o r t h w i l d e r n e s s t r a i l u n maint i n e d c h. National park protecting a mountainous area located east of the salinas valley in central california, about 5 miles 8. This park features fantastic day hiking trails, campgrounds, and a fascinating geologic history along with gorgeous wildflower displays in the spring and early summer.
Pinnacles national park is an american national park protecting a mountainous area located east of the salinas valley in central california, about five miles 8. Cave trail bear gulch cave trail rail b e n c h s o u t h r a i l w i l d e r n e s s bear gulch day use area see detail map at upper right. The oneroom school house was significant to the history of the community. Pinnacles national park trail runs trailstompers guide. Nearby towns with distances to bear gulch include coalinga 72 miles, king city 34 miles, monterey 75 miles, paso robles 85 miles, and salinas 61 miles. The parks namesakes are the eroded leftovers of the western half of an extinct volcano that has moved 200 miles 320 km from its original location on the. The pinnacle is a littleknown outcrop on the appalachian trail in shenandoah national park. Formerly the pinnacles national monument, the pinnacles national park is located in the california central coast region. We used the east entrance each time we visited pinnacles, because theres a lot more trails starting from there than from the west entrance.
This selection of hikes in pinnacles national park, with links to complete writeups, includes the average rating compiled by users of although the creator of hikespeak feels that each of these ratings deserve to be higher. Pinnacles national park is one of the nations newest national parks, having been changed from a national monument under obama in 20. Pinnacles is the nearest national park to the bay area and also the newest in california, having been upgraded from a national monument in 20. Trail map download map gif line map of the trails at pinnacles national monument. Located just east of soledad, pinnacles is a great place to stop if. This is the main pinnacles national park map, showing roads, hiking trails, campgrounds, visitor. Main pinnacles national park map, showing roads, hiking trails. Its the most scenic region in the park with views of hundreds of pinnacles around you.
The west entrance is gated, and the gate is open from 7. The high peaks trail is one of the best hikes i have been on in a while. Pinnacles national park gets its name from towering, domed rock structures that seem to bulge out of the earth. This is a regional map of pinnacles, showing road access to the park from monterey, santa cruz, santa cruz, san francisco, and more. Follow an historic packhorse route used by kauri bushmen in 1920s. Click here for the pinnacles national park website with link to brochure and trail map. This map shows hiking trails in pinnacles national park. We went to bear gulch area there is nice hiking as well as picnic tables. Pinnacles national park originated in 1908 as a national monument, but in 20 president barack obama passed legislation to graduate the area to national park standing. Rim of the bay progressive hike award san francisco bay. This popular walk leads to pinnacles hut, and on to the summit of the pinnacles with spectacular views of the coromandel peninsula. Pinnacles national park bear gulch reservoir b e a r c r e e k c h a l o n e s a d y c c r e e k l c r e e k c h a l o n e california 146 is not a c r e e k. Looking for a great trail in pinnacles national park, california.
Located near the confluence of the clinch river and big cedar creek, the topography of pinnacle nap has been modified by the forces of weather, water, and time to create this dramatic landscape. Apart from the amazing pinnacles desert, nambung national park is also known for its beautiful beaches at kangaroo point and hangover bay, coastal dune systems and low heathland rich in flowering plants. Visit pinnacles national park in california hike into caves and across the high peaks in. Alltrails has 30 great hiking trails, running trails, dogs no trails and more, with handcurated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed.
Pinnacles national park is surrounded by rolling hills of farmland that seem an unlikely location for this california national park. Bear gulch visitor center in het oosten van het park lengte. Old pinnacles trail is a hiking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near pinnacles national park, ca. We eat a quick breakfast in the darkness before departing camp for the bear gulch day use area. Our pro tips from local experts will guarantee you have an amazing experience. Go back to see more maps of pinnacles national park. This is an area map of central california that shows the location of pinnacles national park in relation to major cities and highways. Hikes and trails in pinnacles national park modern hiker. In the high peaks area, most of the parks trails navigate the pinnacles formation at the heart of the park. From the intersection of interstate 70 and highway 63 in columbia, travel north on highway 63 for 12 miles and turn right east onto pinnacles road. Pinnacles national park 5000 highway 146 paicines, ca.
Hiking in pinnacles national park, california our wanders. There are no connecting roads between the two entrances. Click here for a direct link to printable trail maps. There is abundant wildlife and a variety of wildflowers in the spring. Compared to other big parks like yosemite, its small 1100 sq. Pinnacles national park 2011 npt accepted the donation of a property, the bear valley school, which was adjacent to pinnacles national park formerly pinnacles national monument. Bird watchers are drawn to the large population of native california condors as well as many species of bats and other birds. But it wasnt until january of 20 that this area was designated as a national park, making it the youngest one in the state of california.
The gate will automatically open for visitors exiting the park after hours. We went to the east unit of pinnacles national park. If you are new to the park, consult with a ranger at the pinnacles visitor center, the. Cave trail bear gulch cave trail rail b n c h s o u t h t r a i l w i l d e r n e s s bear gulch day use area detail map. It was funded by local donations and constructed in 1903, serving as a school until 1950. With 32 miles of established trails meandering meadows, talus caves, and colorful formations, there is a wealth to see just by strapping on your hiking shoes and heading out on foot. Secrets of the park along the trails of pinnacles national park. Pinnacles national park is a national park in california. The pinnacle can be reached by a quick, easy hike with the family and dog. The park has over 30 hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous loops. Pinnacles national park has 36 trails in the vicinity, including 32 hiking trails, 16 for walking and 20 for other activities. The most popular trip is the 6 mile loop hike up condor gulch, across the high peaks and down bear gulch cave. While hiking the relatively flat trail that wound below the massive towering spires and crags. Map of pinnacles national park, california the american southwest.
1307 585 1421 463 1520 569 1123 333 851 986 419 476 1319 443 1175 153 1566 687 213 1003 1328 190 920 844 1480 466 1346 679 319 1179 361 329 1270 943