|
| Pinnacles
National Monument is located near Soledad, California, and is a favorite
place to hike. The park consists of spectacular rock formations,
the remains of a volcano that was ripped asunder by the San Andreas Fault.
Over the millions of years, the two sides of the volcano became separated
by almost 120 miles. The pictures here were taken last Memorial Day
weekend with an Olympus C-3000 digital camera. Click on any photo
to see it enlarged. |
| The
park is accessible from the east and west, but you cannot drive between
the two entrances. We arrived via the west entrance, and decided
to hike to the east side and back. This view of the Pinnacles is
what we saw at the start of our hike. |
|
|
|
|
It was immediately apparent
that the park was awash in flowers. This is a view of a hillside. |
| The Balconies
Trail leads one through some amazing landscape along a creek bed.
There are opportunities to go through talus caves and hike up higher. |
|
|
|
|
Dark shadows combined
with brightly lit leaves produced this photo. |
| California's chaparral
landscape is seen to good advantage in the park. |
|
|
|
|
Much of the Balconies
Trail was lined with beautiful wildflowers. |
| We reached
the eastern visitor center and had a snack and a drink. After that,
we started back to the western side of the park, deciding to take the Condor
Gulch trail to start. More interesting formations are seen on this
trail. |
|
|
|
|
The Condor Gulch trail
intersects the High Peaks Trail near the summit of the Pinnacles.
From here, great views can be seen. |
| We decided to descend
down the western side of the Pinnacles via the Tunnel Trail, so-called
because a tunnel was blasted through solid rock for a portion of it.
Here, the Pinnacles are even more astounding, and you walk among giants. |
|
|
|
|
Right before you enter
the tunnel, a small bridge crosses a chasm. Dave is standing on the
bridge in this photo--you can get an idea of just how large these rocks
are! |
| There's a curious formation
as you continue on the trail. I call it The Thumb. |
|
|
|
|
The riot of color continues
as we descend the Tunnel Trail and hook up with the Juniper Trail. |
| You get a great view of
the Pinnacles from the Juniper Trail. This was our view as we completed
our day at the park. Next time, we want to hike the Wilderness Trail. |
|
|
|
|
|
Return
To Home Page |
