Pinnacles National Park

7/21/14  Another trip to the Bay Area gave me a chance to visit Pinnacles National Park, the newest National Park in the system, just established in 2013. I took a great 13 mile loop around the park with about 1,500' of gain.
DSC00035 After making the roughly two hour drive from the Bay Area, I end-up in the middle of nowhere South of Hollister and enter Pinnacles National Park. After...
After making the roughly two hour drive from the Bay Area, I end-up in the middle of nowhere South of Hollister and enter Pinnacles National Park. After…
DSC00037 There was some intense work done on this trail back in the 1930s by the CCC.
There was some intense work done on this trail back in the 1930s by the CCC.
DSC00038 The trail gets narrow in places as it squeezes through the talus rocks.
The trail gets narrow in places as it squeezes through the talus rocks.
DSC00053 Approaching the entrance to the Bear Gulch Trail, one of the primary attractions of the National Park.
Approaching the entrance to the Bear Gulch Trail, one of the primary attractions of the National Park.
DSC00039 Entrance to the cave. It's not a traditional underground cave but is instead a talus cave formed by large boulders that have fallen from the cliffs above.
Entrance to the cave. It's not a traditional underground cave but is instead a talus cave formed by large boulders that have fallen from the cliffs above.
DSC00040 This area of the cave is only partially enclosed.
This area of the cave is only partially enclosed.
DSC00041 Now getting into the cave proper. A gate guards the entrance for times of the year when access is closed.
Now getting into the cave proper. A gate guards the entrance for times of the year when access is closed.
DSC00054 It's actually much darker than it appears in the pictures. My new camera works so well in low light, it's magnifying the small amount of light streaming in from...
It's actually much darker than it appears in the pictures. My new camera works so well in low light, it's magnifying the small amount of light streaming in from…
DSC00044 There's an eleboate set of staircases carved into the rocks and winding through the cave.
There's an eleboate set of staircases carved into the rocks and winding through the cave.
DSC00045 It reminds me of the line for the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland except with real rocks.
It reminds me of the line for the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland except with real rocks.
DSC00046 Climbing up and out of one area of the cave.
Climbing up and out of one area of the cave.
DSC00048 An upper section of the cave is closed because it's mating season for one of the bat species that live here.
An upper section of the cave is closed because it's mating season for one of the bat species that live here.
DSC00057 Out of the cave and continuing around the loop.
Out of the cave and continuing around the loop.
DSC00058 The park is a very popular rock clibing location. There are tons of spots along the trail with offshoots leading to designated climbing areas.
The park is a very popular rock clibing location. There are tons of spots along the trail with offshoots leading to designated climbing areas.
DSC00060 Another interesting talus spot along the trail with a small creek cutting through the rock (even in this incredibly dry year).
Another interesting talus spot along the trail with a small creek cutting through the rock (even in this incredibly dry year).
DSC00061 Amazing rock angles.
Amazing rock angles.
DSC00062 Leaving the cave area.
Leaving the cave area.
DSC00064 The Bear Gulch Reservoir.
The Bear Gulch Reservoir.
DSC00067 Probably not as green as in wetter years, but still some nice scenery.
Probably not as green as in wetter years, but still some nice scenery.
DSC00070 The trail is now up on the ridge near Scout Peak, one of the higher peaks in the park at 2,605'.
The trail is now up on the ridge near Scout Peak, one of the higher peaks in the park at 2,605'.