File:PinnaclesParkView.jpg File:PINNmap.gif File:Pinn_rhyolite_e04.jpg File:California_poppy_1.jpg File:California-Condor.jpg File:USA-Pinnacles_National_Monument-Bear_Gulch_Reservoir-2.jpg File:PINNmap1_ArM.jpg File:Bear_gulch_reservoir.JPG File:High_Peaks_Trail_Panorama.jpg File:Entrance_to_Balconies_Cave_at_Pinnacles_National_Park.jpg File:US_Pinnacles_National_Park_Marker_for_Peak_View.jpg File:Condor_18_at_Pinnacles_014_(19131865633).jpg File:Pinus_sabiniana_Pinnacles_NM_2.jpg File:Step_by_Step.jpg File:Pinnacles_National_Park_view.jpeg File:Rock_formations_at_Pinnacles_National_Park_2.jpg File:Pinnacles_National_Park_-_Flickr_-_Joe_Parks.jpg File:USA-Pinnacles_National_Monument-Bear_Gulch_Reservoir-1.jpg File:Pinnacles_National_Park_-_View_on_a_hiking_trail.jpeg
Source: Wikipedia

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is an American national park protecting a mountainous area located east of the Salinas Valley in Central California, about five miles (8.0 km) east of Soledad and 80 miles (130 km) southeast of San Jose. 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, embedded in a portion of the California Pacific Coast Ranges. Pinnacles is managed by the National Park Service and the majority of the park is protected as wilderness.
The national park is divided by the rock formations into East and West Divisions, connected only by foot trails. The east side has shade and water, the west has high walls. The rock formations provide for spectacular pinnacles that attract rock climbers. The park features unusual talus caves that house at least 13 species of bats. Pinnacles is most often visited in spring or fall because of the intense heat during the summer. Park lands are prime habitat for prairie falcons, and are a release site for California condors that have been hatched in captivity.
Pinnacles was originally established as a national monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, and was redesignated as a national park by Congressional legislation in 2012 that was then signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 10, 2013.

  1. 1 History
    1. 1.1 National monument
    2. 1.2 National park status
  2. 2 Geography
  3. 3 Climate
  4. 4 Geology
  5. 5 Ecology
    1. 5.1 Wildlife
    2. 5.2 Vegetation
  6. 6 Hain Wilderness
  7. 7 Activities
  8. 8 See also
  9. 9 References
  10. 10 Further reading
  11. 11 External links

Links

Images Gallery

  • File:PinnaclesParkView.jpg
  • File:PINNmap.gif
  • File:Pinn_rhyolite_e04.jpg
  • File:California_poppy_1.jpg
  • File:California-Condor.jpg
  • File:USA-Pinnacles_National_Monument-Bear_Gulch_Reservoir-2.jpg
  • File:PINNmap1_ArM.jpg Park map (also see resolution adjustable pdf map)
  • File:Bear_gulch_reservoir.JPG Bear Gulch Reservoir
  • File:High_Peaks_Trail_Panorama.jpg
  • File:Entrance_to_Balconies_Cave_at_Pinnacles_National_Park.jpg Entrance to Balconies Cave
  • File:US_Pinnacles_National_Park_Marker_for_Peak_View.jpg Fault history sign
  • File:Condor_18_at_Pinnacles_014_(19131865633).jpg California condor
  • File:Pinus_sabiniana_Pinnacles_NM_2.jpg Pinus sabiniana (gray pine)
  • File:Step_by_Step.jpg A section of the High Peaks Trail
  • File:Pinnacles_National_Park_view.jpeg
  • File:Rock_formations_at_Pinnacles_National_Park_2.jpg
  • File:Pinnacles_National_Park_-_Flickr_-_Joe_Parks.jpg
  • File:USA-Pinnacles_National_Monument-Bear_Gulch_Reservoir-1.jpg
  • File:Pinnacles_National_Park_-_View_on_a_hiking_trail.jpeg
  • File:Pinnacles_Panorama_2.jpg
  • File:California_Candors.jpeg
  • File:Pinnacles_National_Park.jpg
  • File:Gymnogyps_californianus_us_fish_3.jpg
  • File:Meleagris_gallopavo_PO.jpg
  • File:Faucon_pelerin_7_mai_petit.jpg
  • File:Skyline_Arch_at_Arches_National_Park-Unburnsky.jpg
  • File:Inside_Balconies_Cave_at_Pinnacles_National_Monument_1.jpg
  • File:Rock_formations_at_Pinnacles_National_Park_edit_1.jpg
  • File:Pinnacles_(7046337951).jpg
  • File:Inside_Balconies_Cave_2.jpg
  • File:Pinnacle_NM_11.jpg
  • File:National_Park_Service_logo.png
  • File:Logo_of_the_United_States_National_Park_Service.svg
  • File:US_Locator_Blank.svg

Comments

  • Justin

    Amazing National Park. I did walk-up camping (I know, they say that’s not available now but I guess I got lucky). Fun park to explore with lots of great hikes. I went during July and it was HOT. My national park annual pass rearview mirror hanger melted while I was in a hike. One of the caves was closed to protect the bats. I saw lots of great wildlife while hiking and around the campground. Amazing star gazing at night. I loved it.

    a day ago
  • Heidi

    Spent half day at Pinnacles, views are beautiful. The Bear Gulch caves are dark but unique, need to bring a head lamp. The heats are roaring in the summer so bring lots of water.

    a week ago
  • ashita

    We did the condor gulch till view point and the bear gulch cave trail till the reservoir and back through the moss trail. We reached at 6.15 am to beat the heat and it really helped. Moderate hikes. The NPS website said that the bear gulch cave was closed. But it wasn't. PLEASE DON'T MISS THE CAVE. IT WAS AMAZING. ⚠️ SOME AREAS IN THE CAVE REQUIRES YOU TO SQUEEZE IN AND SQUAT...

    a week ago
  • Chavez Web Design,

    It was one of the most beautiful parks. It has desert areas, mountains, and lots of trees. The river with rocks was so unique. The huge rocks made you feel super special. They have great places to take nice pictures. They have a pool and several campsites. Different parking lots and different hikes that you can do. I love the little store they have some great snacks.

    2 months ago
  • Jake

    My first visit and despite the soaring heat, the most profound part of the experience were the soaring condors. WOW. Take the time to hike the High Peaks trail and marvel once you get to the top, as these magnificent birds of prey soar around you. The views are stellar and it's absolutely worth spending an hour up there, watching in awe. This is truly an underrated park but absolutely worth the visit. The caves are tight and make sure you bring an actual flashlight. You do NOT want to drop your phone down into a crevasse as your climb over the boulders that litter the floor of the caves. $30 entry fee, or just buy the Parks Pass. It's so worth it.

    3 weeks ago
  • A

    It was my first time at the park and I love it. Very cool place for running. Park is not that big, but it give you opportunities to run it. We did loop around 13 miles. Paths are great, views are amazing, you can refill water because paths are usually going through some places with water. You can find plenty of trails for running depends on what you need

    a month ago
  • Vijay

    One of the best National parks in California. In 2021, it's all dried up, absolutely no water in the creeks. We stayed at Pinnacles Campground and hiked Pinnacles Greatest hits. It was hottest day and it was gruelling under scorching heat. Must hiking place in your lifetime.

    2 months ago
  • Julian

    A great national park to climb rocks in caves. Make sure to bring a head lamp. There are two entrances, west and east, and they do not connect by road. We entered from the west and a good amount of the road was a one lane wide road. If you visit in the summer, bring lots of water.

    2 weeks ago

Pinnacles National Park

➴ Coordinates: 36° 29‘ N, 121° 10‘ W
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