Pinnacles - 10.3 mile Moderate Plus / Difficult Hike

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CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.

Distance: 10.3 miles
Trail Type: Loop

Hiking Time: 5.5 hours. There are some steep trails and we might go slower, so we estimate that this hike will take a little longer than our usual hikes.

Total Elevation Gain/ Loss: 1,923 feet

Difficulty: Moderate Plus / Difficult (depending on fitness level)

Facilities: Restrooms at the parking lot

Facilities Pit toilets at trail head.

FEES: $30.00 per vehicle. If you have a National Park Permit, then you can enter for free. NO FEE TODAY. NATIONAL PARK DAY.

Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials/how-to-hike-in-the-sun/

PARK BROCHURE:

https://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/park-brochure.htm

ALLTRAILS MAP:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-september-28-2024-5ecf33f?u=i&sh=pyl4xm

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

https://goo.gl/maps/uLAujHcEHw7reQBr7

Click on the link above or use the following GPS coordinates.

GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format (Most Cars):
36°29'30.9"N 121°12'34.8"W

GPS Degrees Decimal Format (Google Maps):
36.4919026099402, -121.20965798510593

Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.

Notes:

1. This park has two entrances. Please enter via the West Entrance. If you enter via the East Entrance, you will miss the hike since the two are 45 minutes apart by car.
2. This is an extremely popular park, so parking gets filled quickly. So, plan to arrive early and carpool as much as possible.
3. One portion of the hike involves climbing a steep stairway using steps carved out of rock. Please wear shoes with good grip.

Parking: There is a parking lot at the GPS coordinates posted above. If this parking lot is full, you can also park at the Chaparral Trailhead Overhead parking lot. It's about half a mile from the main parking lot.

MEETING PLACE: At the Chaparral Trailhead Parking lot.

Shade: There is very little shade, so please bring sun protection.

CARPOOLING: We will use this link for carpooling:

https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/zhparo

Please sign up here.

CARPOOLING MANNERS:

Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.

Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.

Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.

Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".

Thank you for understanding.

HIKING DIRECTIONS:

From the Chaparral Trailhead Parking Lot head towards Balconies Cave Trail (0.6 miles) -->
Checkout the Balconies Cave (0.8 miles) -->
Continue on Old Pinnacles Trail (1.3 + 1 + 0.7 = 3.0 miles) -->
Right on Bear Gulch Trail (1.0 miles) -->
BREAK FOR LUNCH AT BEAR GULCH PICNIC AREA -->
Continue on Bear Gulch Trail (0.2 miles) -->
Left on Moses Spring Trail (0.7 miles) -->
Check out Bear Gulch Cave -->
Get onto Rim Trail (0.4 miles) -->
Left on High Peaks Trail (1.5 miles) -->
Right on High Peaks Trail, Steep and Narrows Section (0.7 miles) -->
Left on Tunnel Trail (0.6 miles) -->
Right on Juniper Canyon Trail (1.2 miles) -->
Parking Lot

BREAKS: We will take a break at the Reservoir. We will also take breaks as required.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Hat/sun protection
• An extra layer in case it's cold in the morning
• Snacks, lunch, fruit,
• At least 3 liters of water etc.
• A headlamp / flashlight if you want to go in the Balconies Cave
• Extra pair of socks in case there's water in the Balconies Cave

(Image Courtesy: nps.gov)