With Rob Coons. From Bear Gulch area, went over North and South Chalone Peaks, and then down the "pig fence" trail to make a big loop through Pinnacles backcountry.
colingregory - Mar 11, 2019 3:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 9, 2019
Dayhike
After a straightforward hike to the lookout on North Chalone, I left my buddy behind and went to bag Middle and South Peaks. After using the turn off towards South, I stayed along the fence to grab Middle Peak. After, I followed the fence down to where I could continue directly to the South Peak along this fence or follow the more gradual trail going around the backside. I chose the trail, and once behind the peak picked a bad spot to b-line for the peak. After making it through some pretty bad brush and potential PO (turns out it wasn't) I found the fence again and only had a bit more of a bushwhack to top. At the top I found a weird cache of fresh looking gear and thought someone was actually in a bivy on the summit, turned out to just be a bag full of I don't know what. Followed the fence down and would recommend this route over mine.
colinr - Mar 21, 2016 12:32 am Date Climbed: Mar 19, 2016
with North Chalone & High Peaks
The views on the hike to South Chaolone and from its brushy summit are nothing special compared to those experienced from North Chalone. Views of the southern Salinas Valley can be found farther south along the trail than the sidetrip to the summit. There was a register for those determined enough to wander upslope from the trail through mild brush to the dull summit. The spring flowers were nice.
ktoyama - Dec 15, 2014 7:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2014
Peaks in Pinnacles NP
Hiked Mt. Defiance and Chalone Peaks in Pinnacles NP.
trexkerry - Dec 22, 2013 12:26 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2013
Combo with North Chalone
First trip to the Pinnacles and very much enjoyed the N/S Chalone duo. Followed the fence up S Chalone and suffered only minor bushwhacking over the remaining few feet to the summit cairn. Trip Report with Jerry Kohn HERE.
trexkerry - Dec 22, 2013 12:26 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2013
Combo with North Chalone
First trip to the Pinnacles and very much enjoyed the N/S Chalone duo. Followed the fence up S Chalone and suffered only minor bushwhacking over the remaining few feet to the summit cairn. Trip Report .
labgloves - Nov 6, 2011 6:56 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
Should have checked here first
Very limited views on the summit - but a nice day of hiking.
gomez13 - Feb 14, 2010 11:44 pm Date Climbed: Feb 13, 2010
Good workout
Did it after North Chalone.
fedak - Jan 13, 2009 4:06 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2008
S Chalone was the only trail in the Gabilan Pinnacles that I hadn't done to date, so I set aside a day to tick it off during my latest trip south of the border.
The "unmaintained" trail is, in fact, perfectly fine and there's now even a trail marker at the point just past the second gate where it takes off. It took me about an hour from there to a rock outcropping right about where the trail begins to descend to the south that provided some views, including one to the north which showed I wasn't on the highest point. It was the best place for lunch, however.
Thereafter I walked back down the trail to a point from where I reckoned would be a good place to head up to the high point and, lo and behold, there was a cairn marking the spot. Thereafter it was just five minutes to the summit cairn in its "nest" of chaparral. No views from there but not bad 10 metres north through light bush.
Any hike in the Pinnacles is enjoyable and S Chalone was no exception.
Fredd C Dobbs - Mar 3, 2008 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2008
Unmaintained Trail
Came up from Bear Gulch area. The unmaintained portion of the trail was in better shape than I thought it might be. This is the only portion of the Pinnacles I hadn't been to. I don't think I'll go back to this peak again.
lakenyon - May 14, 2006 9:53 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2005
from North Chalone
A pleasant stroll, but it's true: this is for peakbaggers or those who require extra mileage. The main section of the Pinnacles is more scenic.
jakefrisbee - Mar 21, 2006 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2006
Unmaintained Trail
I agree with the other posts, South Chalone is for peakbaggers. The trail is well-cut through the brush, but the trail is not level. We did a lot of slight sidehilling. Lots of animal feces on the trail, watch your step! Definitely a good one to get away from people. I wonder where the trail continues on to??
Route Climbed: Class 2 fence route Date Climbed: July 11th, 2004
I agree with fedak that this peak is only for peakbaggers (which I find myself becoming -help!). I was unable to find the trailhead for the South Chalone Peak trail (stupidity on my part) so I bushwacked down the southwest face of the north peak until I ran across it. Actually, for not being maintained this trail was in excellent shape. Probably because the heat keeps anything from growing! Once in the saddle I decided to follow the fence up to the summit. It seemed to be the most direct route and I was unsure about where the main trail would lead (TOPO showed that the main trail does not go to the summit). I followed the fence to the south side of the peak to enjoy the views and then back to find the true summit. Had to bushwack a bit, but ended up finding it. I'll post coordinates and a TOPO in a route that I'll add to the main page.
Route Climbed: From North Chalone Date Climbed: Spring, 1994
Starting from the West Entrance, had a nice jog/hike up to both Chalone Peaks. The views from South Chalone are mostly obstructed by chapparal, and it's mostly of interest to peakbaggers it would seem.
GlennD - Feb 18, 2024 9:11 pm Date Climbed: Dec 9, 2023
ChaloneAfter N Chalone
Hiking Metal Maniac - Aug 15, 2022 9:51 am Date Climbed: May 13, 2021
From Bear Gulch AreaWith Rob Coons. From Bear Gulch area, went over North and South Chalone Peaks, and then down the "pig fence" trail to make a big loop through Pinnacles backcountry.
https://hikingmetalmaniac.blogspot.com/2021/05/chalone-peak.html
soslaw - Jul 23, 2020 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2020
From North ChaloneTrail run via Chalone trail.
colingregory - Mar 11, 2019 3:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 9, 2019
DayhikeAfter a straightforward hike to the lookout on North Chalone, I left my buddy behind and went to bag Middle and South Peaks. After using the turn off towards South, I stayed along the fence to grab Middle Peak. After, I followed the fence down to where I could continue directly to the South Peak along this fence or follow the more gradual trail going around the backside. I chose the trail, and once behind the peak picked a bad spot to b-line for the peak. After making it through some pretty bad brush and potential PO (turns out it wasn't) I found the fence again and only had a bit more of a bushwhack to top. At the top I found a weird cache of fresh looking gear and thought someone was actually in a bivy on the summit, turned out to just be a bag full of I don't know what. Followed the fence down and would recommend this route over mine.
colinr - Mar 21, 2016 12:32 am Date Climbed: Mar 19, 2016
with North Chalone & High PeaksThe views on the hike to South Chaolone and from its brushy summit are nothing special compared to those experienced from North Chalone. Views of the southern Salinas Valley can be found farther south along the trail than the sidetrip to the summit. There was a register for those determined enough to wander upslope from the trail through mild brush to the dull summit. The spring flowers were nice.
ktoyama - Dec 15, 2014 7:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2014
Peaks in Pinnacles NPHiked Mt. Defiance and Chalone Peaks in Pinnacles NP.
trexkerry - Dec 22, 2013 12:26 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2013
Combo with North ChaloneFirst trip to the Pinnacles and very much enjoyed the N/S Chalone duo. Followed the fence up S Chalone and suffered only minor bushwhacking over the remaining few feet to the summit cairn. Trip Report with Jerry Kohn HERE.
trexkerry - Dec 22, 2013 12:26 am Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2013
Combo with North ChaloneFirst trip to the Pinnacles and very much enjoyed the N/S Chalone duo. Followed the fence up S Chalone and suffered only minor bushwhacking over the remaining few feet to the summit cairn. Trip Report .
labgloves - Nov 6, 2011 6:56 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
Should have checked here firstVery limited views on the summit - but a nice day of hiking.
gomez13 - Feb 14, 2010 11:44 pm Date Climbed: Feb 13, 2010
Good workoutDid it after North Chalone.
fedak - Jan 13, 2009 4:06 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2008
Fence Line2x on South Chalone, still nothing redeeming about this peak
http://www.fedak.net/albums/ChalonePeaks2008.html
vancouver islander - May 9, 2008 4:36 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2008
For Peak Baggers onlyS Chalone was the only trail in the Gabilan Pinnacles that I hadn't done to date, so I set aside a day to tick it off during my latest trip south of the border.
The "unmaintained" trail is, in fact, perfectly fine and there's now even a trail marker at the point just past the second gate where it takes off. It took me about an hour from there to a rock outcropping right about where the trail begins to descend to the south that provided some views, including one to the north which showed I wasn't on the highest point. It was the best place for lunch, however.
Thereafter I walked back down the trail to a point from where I reckoned would be a good place to head up to the high point and, lo and behold, there was a cairn marking the spot. Thereafter it was just five minutes to the summit cairn in its "nest" of chaparral. No views from there but not bad 10 metres north through light bush.
Any hike in the Pinnacles is enjoyable and S Chalone was no exception.
Fredd C Dobbs - Mar 3, 2008 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2008
Unmaintained TrailCame up from Bear Gulch area. The unmaintained portion of the trail was in better shape than I thought it might be. This is the only portion of the Pinnacles I hadn't been to. I don't think I'll go back to this peak again.
lakenyon - May 14, 2006 9:53 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2005
from North ChaloneA pleasant stroll, but it's true: this is for peakbaggers or those who require extra mileage. The main section of the Pinnacles is more scenic.
jakefrisbee - Mar 21, 2006 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2006
Unmaintained TrailI agree with the other posts, South Chalone is for peakbaggers. The trail is well-cut through the brush, but the trail is not level. We did a lot of slight sidehilling. Lots of animal feces on the trail, watch your step! Definitely a good one to get away from people. I wonder where the trail continues on to??
blmcclain - Jul 12, 2004 6:02 pm
Route Climbed: Class 2 fence route Date Climbed: July 11th, 2004I agree with fedak that this peak is only for peakbaggers (which I find myself becoming -help!). I was unable to find the trailhead for the South Chalone Peak trail (stupidity on my part) so I bushwacked down the southwest face of the north peak until I ran across it. Actually, for not being maintained this trail was in excellent shape. Probably because the heat keeps anything from growing! Once in the saddle I decided to follow the fence up to the summit. It seemed to be the most direct route and I was unsure about where the main trail would lead (TOPO showed that the main trail does not go to the summit). I followed the fence to the south side of the peak to enjoy the views and then back to find the true summit. Had to bushwack a bit, but ended up finding it. I'll post coordinates and a TOPO in a route that I'll add to the main page.
fedak - Jan 15, 2004 1:49 am
Route Climbed: From North Chalone Date Climbed: 3-Jan-2003Not sure this one was worth the effort. There's almost no view from the summit unless you follow the fence all the way around to the south.
Pics here
Bob Burd - Oct 13, 2003 10:45 am
Route Climbed: From North Chalone Date Climbed: Spring, 1994Starting from the West Entrance, had a nice jog/hike up to both Chalone Peaks. The views from South Chalone are mostly obstructed by chapparal, and it's mostly of interest to peakbaggers it would seem.
rgreene - Oct 13, 2003 12:26 am
Route Climbed: Extension to the Chalone Peak Trail Date Climbed: 12 October 2003A nice (hot) exploration of the two high points of South Chalone...