Parco nazionale dei Pinnacoli (Pinnacles National Park)
Il parco nazionale dei Pinnacoli (in inglese: Pinnacles National Park) è un parco nazionale degli Stati Uniti d'America istituito per proteggere una zona montagnosa situata ad est della valle del Salinas, nella California centrale (a circa 8 km da Soledad e 130 km da San Jose).
Il parco prende il nome dai resti erosi del versante occidentale di un vulcano estinto che, a causa dei movimenti tellurici della faglia di Sant'Andrea, si è spostato di circa 320 km dalla sua sede originale situata sulla Catena Costiera Pacifica. La gestione del parco nazionale è affidata al National Park Service e la maggior parte dell'area è protetta allo stato selvaggio.
Il parco nazionale è diviso dalle formazioni rocciose nelle suddivisioni orientale ed occidentale, collegate solo da sentieri escursionistici: non vi è infatti alcuna strada carrozzabile che unisca gli ingressi est e ovest del parco. Il versante orientale è caratterizzato da ombra e abbondanza di acqua, mentre in quello occidentale vi sono alti muri rocciosi. Le formazioni rocciose presentano pinnacoli spettacolari che attirano gli arrampicatori.
Nel parco sono presenti anche insolite grotte che ospitano almeno tredici specie di pipistrelli. Il territorio protetto costituisce l'habit ideale per il falco di prateria e una zona di ripopolamento del condor della California.
Il parco nazionale dei Pinnacoli è visitato soprattutto in primavera o in autunno, a causa del calore intenso durante i mesi estivi.
I pinnacoli furono dichiarati monumento nazionale nel 1908 dal presidente statunitense Theodore Roosevelt, mentre nel 2012 il Congresso ne ha deliberato la trasformazione in parco nazionale. La legge istitutiva fu firmata dal presidente Barack Obama il 10 gennaio 2013.
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Comments
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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