Pinnacles National Park

Getting There 

Pinnacles National Park is one of the nine national parks in California. I drove only a couple hours from the Bay Area and headed to the East Entrance. This is the main entrance for most hikes and the campground. There is also a West Entrance with a welcome station and other hikes. Keep in mind that the two sides do not connect. So if you are planning to do a hike on a certain side; ensure your map is routing you to the correct entrance.

I left the bay area at around 5AM in the morning to arrive at the park at 7AM. I like to beat the crowds and hike in cool mornings. I parked at the Bear Gulch Day Use Area parking lot. There was plenty of parking at this time as I was the second person in the parking lot, with a couple more people arriving shortly after me. As I was leaving the parking lot after my hike, at around 11AM, the parking lot was packed with people circling and waiting to find a spot. 

Hiking

The bay area morning fog was still hanging high in the air as I started but burned off within an hour or two. I wore a sweatshirt but didn't need it long as the hike was off to a good start with a nice incline! The trail was not busy during my hike. I only ran into a handful of other hikers who were all pleasant and friendly. 

I started at the Condor Gulch Trailhead and hiked in a loop headed counterclockwise to the High Peaks Trail, the Rim Trial, and the Moses Spring Trail back to the parking lot. This hike was a total of 6.5 miles with areas I would rank as hard. Especially as someone who doesn’t always feel comfortable around heights. There are areas to climb with little foot holes in the rocks and some areas where you will scale a narrow path on a cliff with rocks beside you. I say this to prepare you and not to scare you! I did this as a solo hike and would do it again. It was challenging but so rewarding! 

Bear Cultch Day Parking Lot to the Condor Gulch Trail, High Peaks Trail, Rim Trial, and Moses Spring Trail back to the Parking Lot

Condor Gulch Trail

The Condor Gulch Trail was a nice wide dirt path with a good incline and some beautiful views of the Pinnacles. 

Condor Gulch Trail

High Peaks Trail

I then took the High Peaks Trail which was the area with narrow paths and stairs in the rocks. Again, even as someone who is fearful of heights, this is doable! The reason I chose to do this hike counterclockwise was because it meant going up the narrow staircase which is easier for me than going down. 

High Peaks Trail

As I hiked along the High Peaks Trail trying to find my footing on the narrow path, I took a moment to look up at the vastness of the rolling hills and now blue sky. As I looked up l saw a California Condor - the largest bird in North America! I had just learned about these incredible birds a few months prior at a ranger talk held at the Grand Canyon. There I learned they are tagged and tracked due to their critically endangered population. Pinnacles is one of only a few places they can be found, along with Big Sur, Southern California in the Sespe wilderness, and the Grand Canyon. I felt so lucky to be able to see one! 

Rim Trail and Bear Gulch Reservoir 

After the High Peaks Trail is the Rim Trail which starts your descent. This is a wide dirt path with shrubs surrounding it and more beautiful views of hills for miles and miles around. The Rim Trail leads down to the Bear Gulch Reservoir. A great place to stop for a snack with a view of the calm water and more iconic rock formations. 

Bear Gulch Reservoir 

Bear Gulch Caves

From here, I ventured toward the caves where some people were rock climbing! This area is closed from time to time to protect the bat population so be sure to check the National Park Service website to find out. After this, the trail was fairly flat to head back to the parking lot in the shade of some trees. 

Trail towards Bear Gulch Caves

Visitor Center & Campground

I headed over to the small Visitor Center to check out the merch (as I always do). This was near the campground which boasts, what I believe is the only swimming pool in a national park! Let me know if you know of any others. 

Half Day or Full Day in Pinnacles 

Pinnacles is the perfect place to visit from the Bay Area! I loved spending One Day at Pinnacles National Park, but if you have even half a day, this is a fun way to spend it! You will be surrounded by the rolling hills, California Condors, and unique rock formations that define Pinnacles National Park!