10 April 2018
The first morning I was waked by wild turkeys calling to each other. This morning I was waked by wild girl scouts calling to each other, followed by the turkeys. It’s a great way to wake to the morning!
The temperature this morning was 48F. That was warmer than the previous night. The previous night, I used the 40F sleeping bag and blanket. A few hours later, I switched to the 20F bag and blanket. Last night, I started out with the heavier sleeping bag but later came out of it and into the lighter weight bag. It’s strange how a few degrees in temperature makes a big difference.
I had a Spam sandwich for breakfast with a strong cup of English tea. Dishwashing was at a minimum and I was packed and ready to try the trail by 8:30 am. I was torn between the Old Pinnacles Trailhead to Balconies Cave (5.3 miles round trip according to NPS) or the Bear Gulch Trail to Bear Gulch Cave (2.2 miles round trip according to NPS). I chose the longer hike and I’m very glad I did. I spent a lot of energy on the first hike even though both hikes are described as moderate.
I was the third car at the parking area for Old Pinnacles Trailhead and set off on the trail around 9 am. A couple passed me on the trail as I was stopping frequently for wildflower photos. Otherwise, I didn’t see anyone until I reached the cave. The trail is pretty level until you get to the cave.
There’s a large metal gate through which you enter the cave. The caves are sometimes closed to the public depending on conditions. The park doesn’t give you much information about the cave except to not disturb the bats and to take a flashlight with you and it can be slippery.
I’m surprised they let the general public enter this cave. It is hand over hand over huge talus, wet and slippery. There is an established path if you are lucky enough to see it. I fell once in the cave and banged up my left shin. I hit pretty hard so I was lucky there was no real damage.
Once through the cave (it’s a total upward, steep climb hand over hand through the cave in almost total darkness) I looked around for trail signs to indicate the loop outside and around the cave. None was available, so I decided to make the trip back through the cave. I fell a second time on my way back in, re-twisting the left ankle again.
At one point, you were faced with 60% slope which was wet. That was the only way down with no footholds. I slid on my butt down that wall and managed to touch bottom without injuring myself.
Once back through the cave, I retraced my steps to the jeep. I then headed to Bear Gulch. I was unsure whether or not to walk the Bear Gulch Cave/Reservoir loop because of my ankle. Before I left Old Pinnacles parking, I popped two ibuprofen for the ankle and I felt pretty good.
In for a penny, in for a pound. The trail to the cave is all uphill. This cave was a breeze. There were only a couple of totally dark spots (unlike Balconies Cave which was almost all totally dark) and you could walk upright for most of the way. They even provided hand rails and steps in several places.
The various sexual problems, which are common among both men and cheapest viagra uk women. With the advent of electronic media, the age has got a lot of new system in related to real life. price for generic viagra about viagra samples The dangerous impacts of this erectile dysfunction or impotency in men. brand levitra 20mg It has been said that if you have taken a heavy meal cheapest cipla tadalafil before administering the medication, it may take longer to work. There were some spectacular views of light coming through the cave from above. Once through the cave, I followed the fork to the reservoir. It was even more up a steep path than the cave. There was, at one point, a very steep set of stairs that led you to the reservoir.
Pinnacles was named a National Monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 (and National Park in 2013) and I suspect the reservoir was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the depression. It’s a beautiful reservoir and the home to the endangered red-legged frog. The park recently re-introduced the frog from surrounding streams back into the reservoir and they have since set up breeding colonies. It’s tempting to go swimming but they ask you not to in order to protect the habitat of the frogs.
I had company for lunch. I suspect previous hikers had shared their lunch and he assumed I was willing to do the same.
This is prime territory for the rare and endangered California Condor. I kept a lookout but no joy. However, the the trip to Bear Gulch was worth it for a view of the Stellar Jay. I’ve been trying to photograph this bird ever since Michel got to in 2014 when we did the Tauck Desert Southwest tour. It is a good looking bird.
The trip back down was beautiful but uneventful. I didn’t fall once on this cave loop. One thing I saw on the way up the trail was ropes for technical climbing. On the way back down, there were students rappelling off the cliff face.
To celebrate the end of the days hiking, I stopped at the park store and had a Häagen Dazs ice cream.
My overall impressions of Pinnacles National Park is that the eastern entrance seems to serve simply as campground with the visitor center very much like a state park operation. What makes this a unique park is the trails and the wildlife and wildflowers. It’s worth a visit, after all.
By the way, those wet wipes for backpackers really work well. You should see the dirt that comes off those things when I strip down and “shower” with them.
Tomorrow morning I pack up and head for Redding, California for three nights in a bed and breakfast and day touring Lassen Volcanic National Park.
