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Pinnacles National Monument: High Peaks Loop
See the result of millions of years of tectonic movement
on this 7.9-mile loop beneath massive volcanic monoliths. Bring a flashlight for optional cave trails.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | California (CA) |
| Distance: | 7.9 mi |
| Difficulty: | 7 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
TO TRAILHEAD: US 101 S past Soledad, CA. Head E on CA-146 13 miles to park entrance. Park at Chaparral Ranger Station near Juniper Canyon trailhead.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
HPL01
| Dist: 7.90 mi | Points: 757 |
High Peaks Loop
Points of Interest
HPL002
Location: 36.485577°, -121.200974°Bear R @ Y; follow blazes for Juniper Canyon Trail as switchbacks steepen. Note The Fingers to W, Scout Peak to S
HPL003
Location: 36.481499°, -121.199280°View of Salinas Valley @ 5-way junction; L up High Peaks Trail
HPL004
Location: 36.484550°, -121.198349°Trail gets vertical; hold onto metal railings and ascend tiny rock steps
HPL005
Location: 36.488117°, -121.198517°Bear R @ Y and follow signs for High Peaks Trail
HPL006
Location: 36.489868°, -121.191437°Bear L @ Y toward Chalone ranger station; trail flattens, then descends
HPL007
Location: 36.490635°, -121.172165°L @ 3-way onto Old Pinnacles Trail along creek bed; cross bridges
HPL008
Location: 36.501518°, -121.181084°L @ Y, follow signs for Old Pinnacles Trail; watch for rattlers. Terraces along Chalone Creek mark "creeping" fault line once part of the San Andreas Fault
HPL009
Location: 36.502468°, -121.199448°R @ 3-way onto Balconies Cliffs Trail; switchbacks head up toward giant breccia rock face. Deep, narrow gorges and toppled boulders create talus caves
HPL010
Location: 36.497917°, -121.203384°R @ 3-way onto Balconies Trail; cross bridge immediately, bear R @ Y. Machete Ridge to E. Spur: L @ 3-way onto Balconies Caves Trail; use light in cave
HPL011
Location: 36.495251°, -121.204948°Bear R @ Y, follow signs for Balconies Trail; L @ Y that follows
HPL012
Location: 36.491199°, -121.208450°L @ Y onto rock path; R @ 3-way back to Juniper Canyon trailhead
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