The Golden State's newest (and smallest) National Park, Pinnacles National Park occupies just over 26,000 acres of mountainous space east of the Salinas Valley, about 120 miles south of the San Francisco Bay Area, and about 50 miles southeast of Monterey. The remarkable landscape consists of imposing rock formations and remnants of ancient volcanic activity some 23 million years ago. The towering structures and spires are the result of erosion, faulting, and tectonic plate movement shifting across 200 miles from the San Andreas Fault, creating unique geologic formations among the chaparral, woodlands, and canyons.
In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt officially designated a 2,500-acre space as the Pinnacles National Monument, later expanding in size and rank to become a National Park in 2013, managed by the National Park Service. Today, Pinnacles is a popular spot for nature, discovery, and a host of outdoor activities including hiking, caving, stargazing, rock climbing, and birdwatching.
Pinnacles And The California Condor
Pinnacles National Park
Photo Credit: kitemighty via Instagram
The most notable resident of the park is the endangered California condor. Pinnacles National Park is a nesting place for the massive bird, whose 9.5-foot wingspan is an impressive sight to behold. This is the only NPS site that manages a release program for captive-bred condors since 2003. Juvenile condors are transferred to Pinnacles from captive breeding facilities at regional parks and zoos when they are approximately 1.5 years old. They are then placed into a flight pen in a remote area of the park for an acclimation period of at least two months, where their growth, behavior, and socialization are observed by park biologists prior to being tagged and released. In the fall, biologists begin monitoring condors for signs of breeding preparation, keeping watch for developing nests and clutches. Hatched nestlings are tagged at four months, and monitored until they are fully integrated into the flock. The lifespan of the California condor is estimated to be over 60 years.
Along with the Ventana Wildlife Society, NPS manages all of the wild condors in central California. Today, park biologists manage more than two dozen condors, each identified by a unique three-digit number on its wing tag. The condors are free to come and go as they please, often making the rounds between Pinnacles and the Big Sur coastline, where they congregate with their wild counterparts. Pinnacles' condors have been spotted as far as Livermore to the north, Ventura County to the south, Big Sur to the west, and near Mariposa to the east. You can learn more about the individual condors of Pinnacles National Park here.
Aside from their wide wingspan, condors are recognizable by their bald heads, sharp hooked beaks, and large flat feet. Juvenile condors have black heads that will slowly start turning pinkish as they age, and later - orange, at maturity. Adult condors sport a white triangle on the leading edge of the underside of their wings. In flight, condors tend to keep their wings flat and level, soaring steadily.
Following their near-extinction almost 50 years ago, there are now estimated to be about 100 California condors soaring along the central coast, and approximately 500 worldwide. To observe California condors at Pinnacles National Park, head to higher elevations and scan the skies over the cliffs. The High Peaks Trail is a worthwhile route to travel for a sighting, and many visitors catch views from the ridge southeast of the campground. Plan your visit for either early or late in the day. Spotting scopes can be found near the Visitor Center.
Beyond the magnificent condors, there are more than 140 diverse bird species to discover at Pinnacles, including prairie falcons, turkey vultures, golden eagles, woodpeckers, and wild turkey, as well as a variety of land-dwelling mammals and wildlife like kangaroo rats, deer, foxes, bobcats, and more than a dozen species of bats. Additionally, the park hosts one of the most diverse bee populations in the world, with over 400 species within its boundaries.
Pathways To Discovery
Bear Gulch Reservoir
Photo Credit: cernanflores via Instagram
Pinnacles National Park has more than 30 miles of hiking trails to explore. With trails ranging from easy to strenuous, there is a path for every style of hiker. The smartly planned network of pathways intersects at multiple points, allowing the option for looping short jaunts or in-depth discovery missions. Rock climbers and cavers will appreciate the opportunities for additional excursions in and around sites like Bear Gulch Reservoir, High Peaks, Balconies Cave, and Bear Gulch Cave. Popular rock climbing routes are clearly marked from both the east and west entrances of the park, and several local companies offer lessons and multi-day climbing camps at the park.
The park's two talus caves - open seasonally - serve as home to protected bat colonies. The Bear Gulch Cave (east side) is home to the largest maternity colony of Townsend's big-eared bats between San Francisco and Mexico, and the Balconies Cave (west side) provides habitat for a colony of Western mastiff bats. If you plan to explore the caves, bring a flashlight or preferably, a headlamp.
Popular hiking trails provide access to the talus caves, stellar views, and wildflower meadows, Favorite paths include the Juniper Canyon Trail to the High Peaks Trail, Moses Spring Trail, Condor Gulch Trail, and the trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir - accessible from both park entrances. The extensive Chalone Peaks Trail is nearly nine miles round-trip to North Chalone Peak, the highest point in the park, with an option to continue an additional 1.6 miles down an unmarked trail to South Chalone Peak at the southern end of the Gabilan Range. Most trails can be accessed from the Chaparral parking lot.
Know Before You Go
Pinnacles National Park
Photo Credit: jmapeses via Instagram
Pinnacles National Park is worth visiting any time of year, but summers can be quite hot. The park's appeal is at its peak in the spring when bountiful wildflower blooms paint the trails and hillsides in vibrant hues of white, yellow, pink, purple, and red. Some of the more prominent species include California poppies, lupines, suncups, larkspur, and wild roses. Bloom season runs from March to May.
Restroom facilities are available at the Pinnacles campground on the east side of the park. The campground also has a store with snacks, drinks, and basic supplies for sale. Bookstores with regional reference materials and souvenirs can be found at the Visitor Center on the east side and at the Visitor Contact Station on the west side.
Pinnacles National Park is just over an hour's drive from Carmel, making for a great day trip. There are two entrances to the park, on the west and the east. There is no road that runs directly through the park to connect the two areas, but there is an extensive trail system allowing visitors to hike from one entrance to the other. The east entrance is located near Hollister, while the west entrance is near Soledad. Both entrances offer parking areas and trail access, but the drive from one entrance to the other (via King City) is about 90 minutes. The west entrance is preferred when coming from Carmel/Monterey. To access Pinnacles National Park's west entrance, take Highway 101, pass through the City of Soledad to Highway 146 which will lead straight to the park entrance.
Pinnacles National Park is open year-round. The east entrance is accessible 24 hours a day, while west side access is available from 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM. An admission pass to Pinnacles National Park costs $30.00 per vehicle and is valid for seven days from the time of purchase.
For additional information, visitors may consult with a Park Ranger at the Pinnacles Visitor Center, the Bear Gulch Nature Center, or the West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station. You may also consult their website at https://www.nps.gov/pinn. Pinnacles National Park is located at 5000 Highway 146, Paicines, CA 95043.