Came here with my cousin several years ago to go for a day hike. This place is gorgeous! We started at Chaparral and did the High Peaks-Tunnel Trail loop. Awesome scenery and an incredibly interesting trail! Want to spend more time here! Saw condors.
phydeux - Jun 8, 2012 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2011
Great & Unique Geological Gem
Spent an entire day hiking the area. Started at the east side vistors center, up to Chalone Peak, back to the reservior, then up the High Peaks Trail through the weird & wonderful 'pinnacles' before returning to the car. Very unique landscape that's worth taking a day to explore. FWIW: The gates into the park from the campground (east side) don't open until 7AM. FWIW #2: The place is a 'zoo' of dayhikers on spring/fall weekends - go midweek if possible.
Baarb - Sep 24, 2011 6:40 pm Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2010
Good times
New Years Day hike circuit from Bear Gulch round the High Peaks trail and back, great weather and views, lots of interesting exploring to be done along side routes, though atmospheric caves and round tranquil lakes. Lots of other people had the same idea much to my surprise.
moohead - Feb 13, 2011 1:28 am Date Climbed: Jan 21, 2011
Lots to do
Hiked Moses Spring, Bear Gulch Cave, Rim, High Peaks, and Condor Gulch Trails. Had fun exploring Bear Gulch Cave. Will be back to go climbing someday!
justing - Nov 18, 2009 11:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2009
Fun climbing
Dec 5, 2009. My first three leads: Big Bad West (5.5), Corona (5.6), Walk The Plank (5.6)
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Nice day following Rob. Lots of familiar faces from Pacific Edge also on Discovery Wall. Quite a bit cooler than that hike I took on high peaks trail summer before last!
rhyang - Nov 15, 2009 10:09 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2009
The day was cool, and atop the ridge windy at times, but warm in the sun. Pretty much an all-day outing, since we spent some time bushwhacking looking for the start, and rapped seven times. Most of these were with a single 10.5mm x 50m rope, but I carried an 8.5mm x 50m in case we wanted to double-rope rappel. Turns out the second rope was the ticket on the last rap, and if we had broken it out sooner we could have avoided two of the raps.
Not a whole lot of technical climbing (probably a good thing, because I was quite leery of the rock quality), but a fun adventure nonetheless. The morning and evening were cold (hard frost on everything).
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Route Climbed: Discovery Wall, Tiburcio's X
Date Climbed: 29-April-2005
Another great day climbing with John. Followed several routes including Cleft (5.6) -- still moist in the shady interior; interesting stemming / chimneying.
Stupendous Man (5.10a) was a lot of fun, though had to aid on rope to get over mantel move.
Coyote Ugly (5.9) - good bit of high-stepping required above the X.
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Route Climbed: Discovery Wall
Date Climbed: 15-April-2005
Climbed with John. Fantastic day. Followed Swallow Crack (5.6), Ordeal (5.8), Wet Kiss (5.9), Portent (5.6).
After getting out of the Air Force I took a month (?) long west coast trip doing many hikes and climbs. I had heard about this place and stopped by for a day and did a few climbs on the way up to Klamath.
lcarreau - Dec 18, 2007 9:16 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 1996
Great place amid the fault zone
I remember the parking lots filling early with rock
climbers. I saw a lot of huge condors, and itty-bitty
frogs hopping around on the upper reaches of the
Condor Trail. Yes, I think I did glimpse a wild pig
just east of the park. The "Tunnel" is pretty crazy!!!
I've lived in Santa Cruz, Ca for 23 years, so have visited the Pinnacles many times, to hike and to climb. My plans for the near future include checking out the Neglected Valley and the Deserted Valley.
tarol - Dec 6, 2006 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2003
Beautiful Place
Hiked the following trails over a 3 day weekend: Bear Gulch, Condor Gulch, Moses Spring, Rim, Chalone Creek, Juniper Canyon, Tunnel, & High Peaks
Fredd C Dobbs - Mar 24, 2006 3:45 am Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2006
Fine spring day for a hike through some interesting geology. In the middle of the week there were very few people about. Will return ASAP to tag North Chalone Peak!
Route Climbed: Various sundry routes Date Climbed: 1997-present
Too many to mention or remember, but mostly on the east side. Most enjoyable climbing is found down low, while most scenic climbing is fouind in the peaks. The question becomes, at least from the Santa Cruz area, should you just push on to Yosemite, Tollhouse, or Castle Rock for that matter, for entirely sweeter climbing or play around on the Pinnacle choss. Nevertheless, it's always a fun, sporty outing.
I am new to the group. I have been to the Pinnacles many times in the mid 90's. I have been in every cave, hiked all the trails and been as high as you can go without free climbing. On a side note I used to be a firefighter in Monterey county. In the early 90's there was a brush fire there. I drove a Airport crash truck to the Pinnacles, not to protect the firefighting aircraft. I was used to wash the firefighting retardant off some of the rock with the high power turret nozzle.
Route Climbed: Machete Ridge traverse Date Climbed: Dec 3, 2005
Great, varied day out! Easy but enjoyable climbing on unusual rock, some fun rappels, and a cool descent into the fascinating Balconies Caves. Highly recommended.
Route Climbed: high peaks trail Date Climbed: november 12, 2005
super nice day. started in afternoon to catch sunset. spoted 7 california condors on top of hawkins. very large birds. fantastic evening colors. great time of year to visit
T. White - Nov 9, 2017 3:36 am Date Climbed: Mar 21, 2009
Condor Gulch to High PeaksBack before it became a National Park. Was already crowded then, but the sense of place was still very special.
MTfred19 - Jun 29, 2017 11:11 am
PinnaclesCame here with my cousin several years ago to go for a day hike. This place is gorgeous! We started at Chaparral and did the High Peaks-Tunnel Trail loop. Awesome scenery and an incredibly interesting trail! Want to spend more time here! Saw condors.
Fletch - Jun 8, 2017 3:33 pm
FunMidweek is much better...
phydeux - Jun 8, 2012 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2011
Great & Unique Geological GemSpent an entire day hiking the area. Started at the east side vistors center, up to Chalone Peak, back to the reservior, then up the High Peaks Trail through the weird & wonderful 'pinnacles' before returning to the car. Very unique landscape that's worth taking a day to explore. FWIW: The gates into the park from the campground (east side) don't open until 7AM. FWIW #2: The place is a 'zoo' of dayhikers on spring/fall weekends - go midweek if possible.
Baarb - Sep 24, 2011 6:40 pm Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2010
Good timesNew Years Day hike circuit from Bear Gulch round the High Peaks trail and back, great weather and views, lots of interesting exploring to be done along side routes, though atmospheric caves and round tranquil lakes. Lots of other people had the same idea much to my surprise.
moohead - Feb 13, 2011 1:28 am Date Climbed: Jan 21, 2011
Lots to doHiked Moses Spring, Bear Gulch Cave, Rim, High Peaks, and Condor Gulch Trails. Had fun exploring Bear Gulch Cave. Will be back to go climbing someday!
justing - Nov 18, 2009 11:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2009
Fun climbingDec 5, 2009. My first three leads: Big Bad West (5.5), Corona (5.6), Walk The Plank (5.6)
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Nice day following Rob. Lots of familiar faces from Pacific Edge also on Discovery Wall. Quite a bit cooler than that hike I took on high peaks trail summer before last!
rhyang - Nov 15, 2009 10:09 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2009
Discovery Wall, Tourist TrapClimbed with Justin on a warm autumn day.
I led Swallow Crack, Portent, Ordeal and Rat Race. Classic routes and good times !
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Date climbed: 3-December-2005
Route climbed: Machete Ridge Traverse (Old Original)
Climbed with Matthew Holliman.
The day was cool, and atop the ridge windy at times, but warm in the sun. Pretty much an all-day outing, since we spent some time bushwhacking looking for the start, and rapped seven times. Most of these were with a single 10.5mm x 50m rope, but I carried an 8.5mm x 50m in case we wanted to double-rope rappel. Turns out the second rope was the ticket on the last rap, and if we had broken it out sooner we could have avoided two of the raps.
Not a whole lot of technical climbing (probably a good thing, because I was quite leery of the rock quality), but a fun adventure nonetheless. The morning and evening were cold (hard frost on everything).
--
Route Climbed: Discovery Wall, Tiburcio's X
Date Climbed: 29-April-2005
Another great day climbing with John. Followed several routes including Cleft (5.6) -- still moist in the shady interior; interesting stemming / chimneying.
Stupendous Man (5.10a) was a lot of fun, though had to aid on rope to get over mantel move.
Coyote Ugly (5.9) - good bit of high-stepping required above the X.
--
Route Climbed: Discovery Wall
Date Climbed: 15-April-2005
Climbed with John. Fantastic day. Followed
Swallow Crack (5.6), Ordeal (5.8), Wet Kiss (5.9), Portent (5.6).
TripoliRick - Jul 2, 2008 7:45 pm
West Coast Motorcycle AdventureAfter getting out of the Air Force I took a month (?) long west coast trip doing many hikes and climbs. I had heard about this place and stopped by for a day and did a few climbs on the way up to Klamath.
lcarreau - Dec 18, 2007 9:16 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 1996
Great place amid the fault zoneI remember the parking lots filling early with rock
climbers. I saw a lot of huge condors, and itty-bitty
frogs hopping around on the upper reaches of the
Condor Trail. Yes, I think I did glimpse a wild pig
just east of the park. The "Tunnel" is pretty crazy!!!
McCannster - Dec 12, 2007 9:02 pm
Nice rangeBeen to Pinnacles Ntl Monument many times since I was little.
lisae - Dec 7, 2006 2:40 am
Many VisitsI've lived in Santa Cruz, Ca for 23 years, so have visited the Pinnacles many times, to hike and to climb. My plans for the near future include checking out the Neglected Valley and the Deserted Valley.
tarol - Dec 6, 2006 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2003
Beautiful PlaceHiked the following trails over a 3 day weekend: Bear Gulch, Condor Gulch, Moses Spring, Rim, Chalone Creek, Juniper Canyon, Tunnel, & High Peaks
Fredd C Dobbs - Mar 24, 2006 3:45 am Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2006
Route Climbed: Condor Gluch-High Peaks-Bear Gulch TrailsFine spring day for a hike through some interesting geology. In the middle of the week there were very few people about. Will return ASAP to tag North Chalone Peak!
plume - Jan 3, 2006 3:00 pm
Route Climbed: Various sundry routes Date Climbed: 1997-presentToo many to mention or remember, but mostly on the east side. Most enjoyable climbing is found down low, while most scenic climbing is fouind in the peaks. The question becomes, at least from the Santa Cruz area, should you just push on to Yosemite, Tollhouse, or Castle Rock for that matter, for entirely sweeter climbing or play around on the Pinnacle choss. Nevertheless, it's always a fun, sporty outing.
hundy - Jan 1, 2006 4:51 pm
Route Climbed: Trails Date Climbed: July 1995I am new to the group. I have been to the Pinnacles many times in the mid 90's. I have been in every cave, hiked all the trails and been as high as you can go without free climbing. On a side note I used to be a firefighter in Monterey county. In the early 90's there was a brush fire there. I drove a Airport crash truck to the Pinnacles, not to protect the firefighting aircraft. I was used to wash the firefighting retardant off some of the rock with the high power turret nozzle.
Matthew Holliman - Dec 20, 2005 11:21 am
Route Climbed: Machete Ridge traverse Date Climbed: Dec 3, 2005Great, varied day out! Easy but enjoyable climbing on unusual rock, some fun rappels, and a cool descent into the fascinating Balconies Caves. Highly recommended.
rice - Nov 16, 2005 6:46 pm
Route Climbed: high peaks trail Date Climbed: november 12, 2005super nice day. started in afternoon to catch sunset. spoted 7 california condors on top of hawkins. very large birds. fantastic evening colors. great time of year to visit
NewDayRising - Oct 21, 2005 3:50 am
Route Climbed: trails Date Climbed: several timesfun hike and close to the bay area.
Richard McJagger - Aug 16, 2005 8:43 pm
Route Climbed: High Peaks Loop Date Climbed: Spring Break - 2005Nice sunny day. Brought the Boy Scouts with us: Charlie, Ben, Colin, Nico, Joe, Felix, Craig, Bob.