2. Camping Trips

Pinnacles 2006

Camping at Pinnacles National Park, with Rich, Dick, and Geno. Dayhikes to Bear Gulch Reservoir and North Chalone Peak. Had a great time hanging out in camp, despite pounding rain Friday night and Saturday morning. We managed to dodge the rainfall, when it was time to hike. This gallery features some photos by Rich, taken on another dayhike after I left.
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  • Route map at Pinnacles National Monument. Dick, Geno and I dayhiked to North Chalone Peak from the Visitors Center on Saturday (solid red line). On Sunday Rich, Geno, and Dick hiked a loop to the High Peaks, Balconies Caves, and West Chalone Creek (solid blue line). An interesting extension of the first hike is to continue past North Chalone Peak, on to South Chalone Peak, then up Bear Creek and on to the park campground (dashed red line). I hope to come back here and hike some more!

    Route map at Pinnacles National Monument. Dick, Geno and I dayhiked to North Chalone Peak from the Visitors Center on Saturday (solid red line). On Sunday Rich, Geno, and Dick hiked a loop to the High Peaks, Balconies Caves, and West Chalone Creek (solid blue line). An interesting extension of the first hike is to continue past North Chalone Peak, on to South Chalone Peak, then up Bear Creek and on to the park campground (dashed red line). I hope to come back here and hike some more!

  • Route profile for the North Chalone Peak Trail.

    Route profile for the North Chalone Peak Trail.

  • Route profile for High Peaks - Balconies Caves - West Chalone Creek Loop

    Route profile for High Peaks - Balconies Caves - West Chalone Creek Loop

  • Route extension, to South Chalone Peak, Bear Creek, and the park campground (route not taken)

    Route extension, to South Chalone Peak, Bear Creek, and the park campground (route not taken)

  • Rich, Geno, and Dick, on the Bear Gulch Trail.

    Rich, Geno, and Dick, on the Bear Gulch Trail.

  • Tourist Trap

    Tourist Trap

  • Looking east down the canyon

    Looking east down the canyon

  • Dick, Geno

    Dick, Geno

  • Rich

    Rich

  • First view of High Peaks area ... where the condors are!

    First view of High Peaks area ... where the condors are!

  • Higher eastern view

    Higher eastern view

  • Higher in the canyon

    Higher in the canyon

  • Balanced rock (one of many seen at the Pinnacles)

    Balanced rock (one of many seen at the Pinnacles)

  • Big ledge, accessible from the trail

    Big ledge, accessible from the trail

  • Rich and Dick checking out the ledge. Geno and I stayed back, to get the picture.

    Rich and Dick checking out the ledge. Geno and I stayed back, to get the picture.

  • Rich and Dick. Pondering the clouds. Sure enough, we got pounded by rain overnight.

    Rich and Dick. Pondering the clouds. Sure enough, we got pounded by rain overnight.

  • Looking south across the canyon

    Looking south across the canyon

  • Checking out the view

    Checking out the view

  • Geno and Dick had nice Bushnell binoculars

    Geno and Dick had nice Bushnell binoculars

  • Geno and I were going nuts taking lots of photos.

    Geno and I were going nuts taking lots of photos.

  • Bear Gulch Reservoir. This dam was built by the CCC in the 1930s.

    Bear Gulch Reservoir. This dam was built by the CCC in the 1930s.

  • Cascade below the reservoir outlet.

    Cascade below the reservoir outlet.

  • Closer view of the reservoir and outlet

    Closer view of the reservoir and outlet

  • The Sisters

    The Sisters

  • Any idea what this is? I checked some reference web sites, but couldn't find a match. It's pretty!

    Any idea what this is? I checked some reference web sites, but couldn't find a match. It's pretty!

  • On the dam

    On the dam

  • Tree, bright water

    Tree, bright water

  • Welcome back!

    Welcome back!

  • Sign for North Chalone Peak. We'll take this tomorrow, weather permitting.

    Sign for North Chalone Peak. We'll take this tomorrow, weather permitting.

  • Bear Gulch Reservoir Panorama. The rock formations on the skyline are, from left: Crud and Mud, The Frog, and The Hand.

    Bear Gulch Reservoir Panorama. The rock formations on the skyline are, from left: Crud and Mud, The Frog, and The Hand.

  • Dam

    Dam

  • Geno shooting a pic

    Geno shooting a pic

  • Lichen

    Lichen

  • Rich descending the stairs into the Bear Gulch Cave

    Rich descending the stairs into the Bear Gulch Cave

  • Moving water

    Moving water

  • Rich takes our picture, while Geno descends

    Rich takes our picture, while Geno descends

  • Moving water

    Moving water

  • Talus cave

    Talus cave

  • Talus cave

    Talus cave

  • Talus cave

    Talus cave

  • We've lost Rich! He went another way. Dick and Geno and I took the Moses Spring Trail.

    We've lost Rich! He went another way. Dick and Geno and I took the Moses Spring Trail.

  • Watching climbers

    Watching climbers

  • Canyon walls

    Canyon walls

  • Drilled holes

    Drilled holes

  • Drilled holes

    Drilled holes

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