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Pinnacles National Monument: High Peaks Trail
Explore a once-active seismic hotbed of sheer canyons and towering spires on this 4.5-mile loop. Bird bonus: See California condors up close.
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| Author: | erollins |
| Source: |
 on my Android phone
|
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | California (CA) |
| Distance: | 4.44 mi |
| Difficulty: | 8 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
TO TRAILHEAD: From US 101 in Gilroy, turn onto CA 25 S and go 10.5 mi. to Hollister; continue approximately 30 miles to CA 146. Turn R and drive 4.8 mi. to visitor center. Park in lot. Condor Gulch Trail is across road.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
CHL01
| Distance: 4.44 mi | Points: 502 |
Condor Gulch - High Peaks Loop
Points of Interest
CHL001
Location: 36.481266, -121.181480From Bear Gulch trailhead, head NW on Condor Gulch Trail up switchbacks with chaparral, wild sage, and rosemary
CHL002
Location: 36.485249, -121.192368Condor Gulch Overlook (2,545 ft.): From ledge, peer S over eroded curves of the Little Pinnacles and N to Hawkins Peak. To continue, head E then N along ridge
CHL003
Location: 36.489834, -121.191216L @ T onto High Peaks Trail; views open N over the Balconies, an 800-ft. dome of cracked pink cliffs
CHL004
Location: 36.488533, -121.198486L @ Y; begin traverse over the jumbled formations of Pinnacle Rocks-look for California condors coasting on updrafts
CHL005
Location: 36.486351, -121.198181Not for acrophobes: Cut across knife-edge of the High Peaks on a dizzying section chiseled out of breccia layers formed by lava and ash from the Pinnacles Volcano
CHL006
Location: 36.481617, -121.199265L @ T to start steep descent of narrow gorge; bench offers views W over Salinas Valley and rugged Coast Range
CHL007
Location: 36.477215, -121.187263R @ Y onto Rim Trail; in spring, CA poppies and lupine streak the hillsides
CHL008
Location: 36.472900, -121.187469Bear Gulch Reservoir, cradled in auburn rocks. Go L below dam into dark tunnel created by toppled boulders, now home to Townsend's big-eared bats. (Headlamp required)
CHL009
Location: 36.475735, -121.186218R @ T onto Moses Spring Trail
CHL010
Location: 36.477615, -121.185402R @ Y, still on Moses Spring Trail; continue .4 mi. through sycamores to car
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