Pinnacles Hike: March 30, 2014
Pinnacles National Park located off the 146 off of Soledad, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from San Jose. My friend Humera and I decided to go on a hike. Lucky for us it was one of the best days to go, right after the torrential down pour from the day before.
We left South San Jose at 7 am and arrived at Pinnacles West Entrance at Chapparal and started there, We intended to start out west but navigation decided otherwise. The information station didn’t open yet when we arrive but we managed to figure out the self-service parking system out (honor system) and made out way on our hike. Of course with some help from a local ranger and a super girl (she planned to hike the entire pinnacle trail).
I highlighted the trails we took We decided to do a “short” hike and went up the steep trail to High Peaks, and then make our way back and visit the Balconies Cave trail.
We ran into a few people from the Sierra Club and they mentioned how BEAUTIFUL the view was from High Peaks. I thought to myself… “Beautiful, hmmm sure…” then finally when we made it up there… It was no joke! It was STUNNING! Nature in its natural state, after the rain BEAUTIFUL indeed!
Pinnacles had this amazing watercolor filled scenery that made us lose track of time.
Foot rest were carved into the giant boulders. It was great of the park service to supply handrails for extra safety.
After a brief pit stop at the car we were on our way to Balconies cave. Balconies caves was pitch dark, you need a flashlight to navigate through it. It was dark and wet i strongly suggest a head lamp. Having free hands to help stabilize yourself through the cave is much-needed. The trail to the caves didn’t take too long, but after going through the caves the trail back to the parking area seemed like it was taking forever. It didn’t help that it was nearing the end of the afternoon and we were hungry.
Oh, after Balconies cave, I swung my arm back and apparently got stung by a plant. I think.
Not sure how accurate this was. But burned 1600 calories in the wilderness was a piece of cake… then again i can easily consume a piece of cake and gain back the 1600 calories in less than an hour.
Pinnacles you were wonderful!
Raine Travels 