Pinnacles (West) 10/24 -- 10/25/2020 [Pinnacles Gallery] [Back to Photo Page]

Because of its distinctive geological features, Pinnacles was set aside as a national monument in 1908 and was proclaimed national park since 2013.   The park's 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 San Andreas Fault to the southeast.  Massive monoliths, sheer-walled canyons, and boulder-covered caves define millions of years of erosion, faulting, and tectonic plate movement.   The national park is divided by the rock formations into East and West Divisions, connected only by foot trails. 

Getting there ...

Our last trip to the Pinnacles (East) was more than 10 years ago (in 2009) when it was still in national monument status.  We chose to go to the western part of the park this time to explore the high peaks and canyons.  With less than 2 hours of driving, Pinnacles National Park is a nice weekend retreat especially during this COVID-19 pandemic time. 

• Chalone Vineyard
  Perched in the remote Gavilan Mountain Range and sit at the base of an extinct volcano bordering the Pinnacles National Park, Chalone Vineyard is the oldest producing vineyard in Monterey County.   We had a scheduled wine tasting at 1PM and enjoyed a relaxed 6-wine tasting (3 whites + 3 reds) at a nice and shady outdoor setting.
  

• Balconies Cliffs -- Pinnacles
  We entered the park at about 3PM from the west entrance.  Due to the pandemic, the visitor center was closed and the entrance fee was waived, and the caves in the park were closed because of the nature of confined space inside the caves.  Since the Balconies Cave was closed, we could not make the loop of Balconies Cliffs / Caves, and we had to turn around at the intersection of the Old Pinnacles Trail.  Although we could not go through the cave this time, the majestic wall of Machete Ridge and rock spires of the high peaks were still impressive along the trail.
  

Day 2 ...

• Juniper Canyon -- High Peaks (Steep and Narrow) -- Tunnel Trail
  This strenuous 4.3-mile loop trail is steep and switchbacks up to the heart of the High Peaks with more than 1,200 feet of elevation change.  At the top, the trail circles through the rock formations along the "Steep and Narrow" section of the High Peaks Trail, which has rails and steps carved into the rocks in some almost vertical sections.  It was quite cloudy and cool temperature (~60F) this morning; it was a good day for hiking, but not the best light for photos...
  

 It looks daunting for those almost vertical stairs carved into the rocks in the "Steep and Narrow" section, but it is actually easier than it looks.

Going Home ...

Although we could not fully explore the west side of Pinnacles this time because of the cave closure due to COVID-19, it was still a nice short weekend retreat for us to get out and visit this little nature gem, the newest national park in California.  Instead of having long trips to far away locations, we may start to have more short trips to enjoy our nearby attractions in the Bay Area.

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