Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is een Amerikaans nationaal park dat een bergachtig gebied ten oosten van de Salinas-vallei in de Central Coast-regio van Californië omvat. Het park dankt zijn naam aan de door erosie uitgesleten overblijfselen van de westelijke helft van een uitgedoofde vulkaan, de Neenach Volcano, die zich oorspronkelijk in Zuid-Californië bevonden, maar die zich door tektonische verschuivingen langs de San Andreasbreuk verplaatst hebben.
Het park werd in 1908 opgericht door president Theodore Roosevelt als het Pinnacles National Monument. Eind 2012 keurde het Amerikaans Congres wetgeving goed om er een nationaal park van te maken. President Obama ondertekende de wet op 10 januari 2013. Het park staat onder het beheer van de National Park Service en is grotendeels wildernisgebied.
De rotsformaties delen het park in een oostelijke en westelijke divisie, die verbonden zijn door wandelpaden. Er loopt geen autoweg tussen het oosten en het westen. Het oostelijke deel is te bereiken via de California State Route 25, gevolgd door SR 146. Vanuit Soledad in het westen, dat langs de U.S. Route 101 ligt, kan men naar het park rijden via een weg die ook SR 146 heet, maar niet met het oostelijke stuk verbonden is. Pinnacles National Park is populair bij bergbeklimmers.
Vanwege de hitte in de zomer wordt het park hoofdzakelijk in de lente en herfst bezocht.
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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