April 10, 2005
Pinacles National Monument
(High Peaks Loop from Chaparral Ranger Station, West entrance:
Juniper Canyon, High Peaks and Tunnel Trails, 5 miles)
First view of the Pinacles from outside the west entrance
Closer view of the rocks, with gorgeous old oak trees in the foreground
Setting off from the car park (click on picture for larger image)
The west entrance leads you through flower-filled meadows, then right into the rocks
Owl's Clover
First section of the trail meanders past streams and through tunnels of trees
Shaded banks filled with Larkspur
This shaded section of trail would be very welcome on a hot day (best to visit in spring)
Some of the Pinacles' strange rock formations come into view
Owl's Clover and Buttercups carpet the meadow
The trail emerges into the open, providing more expansive views
Steep sections of the trail wind past (and sometimes through!) huge rocks
Interesting shades of lichen cover many of the rocks in this park
Brilliant orange wallflowers
Some of the rock formations are surreal, almost like a film set
Bruce spies a good spot for a picnic
Views down to the trail, to the right . . . . . . and to the left
Looking at the strange rock formations ahead . . . . . . and back to the path we came down
Sticky Monkey Flower and wild geranium
Lupine lining the footpath
Beautiful view across a wall of rock, framed by pine
Blue Dicks
Indian Paintbrush blooms along the upper section of the Juniper Canyon Trail
Nearing the junction with the High Peaks Trail
Beautiful view to the park's eastern side, with the Condor Gulch Trail visible through the canyon
Beginning of the infamous High Peaks Trail steps
Much of the High Peaks Trail is comprised of steps carved into the rocks
Small panorama of the western rocks (click on picture for larger image)
Tight squeeze here!
Looking to our section of trail ahead
Steps carved from red rock The trail finally emerges from the rocks
More expansive western views
Junction to return via the Tunnel Trail
Yet another amazing section of rock, sculpted by the wind
Steep downhill to the Chapparral entrance
But first, through a short tunnel (the parks long caves require flashlights)
Back in the sunshine, a Monkey Flower has taken root right in the rock
Fields of California poppies along the trail
Chinese Lantern Flower was blooming everywhere, thanks to heavy spring rains
Back on the flat, we finish the short walk under the shade of Blue Oak
A quiet brook flows through a meadow filled with wild pansies
Final view of the oak woodland at the trail's end
For more on Pinacles, see the Pinacles National Monument website
(High Peaks Loop from Chaparral Ranger Station, West entrance:
Juniper Canyon, High Peaks and Tunnel Trails, 5 miles)
First view of the Pinacles from outside the west entrance
Closer view of the rocks, with gorgeous old oak trees in the foreground
Setting off from the car park (click on picture for larger image)
The west entrance leads you through flower-filled meadows, then right into the rocks
Owl's Clover
First section of the trail meanders past streams and through tunnels of trees
Shaded banks filled with Larkspur
This shaded section of trail would be very welcome on a hot day (best to visit in spring)
Some of the Pinacles' strange rock formations come into view
Owl's Clover and Buttercups carpet the meadow
The trail emerges into the open, providing more expansive views
Steep sections of the trail wind past (and sometimes through!) huge rocks
Interesting shades of lichen cover many of the rocks in this park
Brilliant orange wallflowers
Some of the rock formations are surreal, almost like a film set
Bruce spies a good spot for a picnic
Views down to the trail, to the right . . . . . . and to the left
Looking at the strange rock formations ahead . . . . . . and back to the path we came down
Sticky Monkey Flower and wild geranium
Lupine lining the footpath
Beautiful view across a wall of rock, framed by pine
Blue Dicks
Indian Paintbrush blooms along the upper section of the Juniper Canyon Trail
Nearing the junction with the High Peaks Trail
Beautiful view to the park's eastern side, with the Condor Gulch Trail visible through the canyon
Beginning of the infamous High Peaks Trail steps
Much of the High Peaks Trail is comprised of steps carved into the rocks
Small panorama of the western rocks (click on picture for larger image)
Tight squeeze here!
Looking to our section of trail ahead
Steps carved from red rock The trail finally emerges from the rocks
More expansive western views
Junction to return via the Tunnel Trail
Yet another amazing section of rock, sculpted by the wind
Steep downhill to the Chapparral entrance
But first, through a short tunnel (the parks long caves require flashlights)
Back in the sunshine, a Monkey Flower has taken root right in the rock
Fields of California poppies along the trail
Chinese Lantern Flower was blooming everywhere, thanks to heavy spring rains
Back on the flat, we finish the short walk under the shade of Blue Oak
A quiet brook flows through a meadow filled with wild pansies
Final view of the oak woodland at the trail's end
For more on Pinacles, see the Pinacles National Monument website