the spectacularly unique peaks of the Pinnacles, 195 miles away from its eroded-rock counterpart in Southern California.
While numerous volcanic rocks compose the Pinnacles, the two most common (and easily identifiable) are volcanic breccia, a mess of angular fragments welded together into the reddish rocks of the High Peaks, and flow-banded rhyolite, a fine-grained lava that preserves its original flow patterns. Several excellent sources of information on the local geology are available at the visitor center, including a guide to the Pinnacles Geological Trail, the first half of which is along this hike.
The Hike climbs from Bear Gulch Nature Center along the Condor Gulch and High Peaks Trails, winding through wild volcanic formations before dropping steeply back down to Bear Gulch Picnic Area. The best time to come is February. You have to time your visit to avoid winter storms, but the reward is early wildflowers, crystalline air, flowing streams, green hillsides, and, most of all, solitude. The air, the water, and the green all remain from March through May—supplemented by a greater explosion of wildflowers—but the solitude vanishes, especially on weekends. An average of 400,000 people a year visit this small park, and most of them come during this time. In the summer months temperatures are sizzling and average almost 100°F during the day—don’t bother. The fall is mild but brown and dry. Water is available at the trailhead.
To Reach the Trailhead Take Hwy. 25 South from Hollister for 35 miles to the posted turnoff for the Pinnacles on Hwy. 146. Approaching from the south, Hwy. 25 can be accessed from Hwy. 101 via Hwy. G13 at King City. Park in the nature center parking lot, 5 miles past the turnoff. The trailhead is across the road. While it is also possible to approach the Pinnacles (but not this hike) from the west through Soledad, there is no connection on Hwy. 146. There is an entrance fee of $10, which is valid for 7 days.
Description From the trailhead (0.0/1,650'), you begin climbing on the Condor Gulch Trail through large gray pines and deciduous blue oaks, quickly passing above a maintenance station. As you ascend, coast live oaks can be spotted in the riparian valley below. Toyon soon appears by the path, a shrub easily identified by its stiff, toothed, elliptical leaves and bright red berries, which first appear in December. At the first switchback, a rounded squat formation dubbed the Hippopotamus sits across the small gully. Looking like a stack of chips, Casino Rock is visible to the north. The trail then leads to an overlook where a small runnel of water gurgles down in season.
From the overlook, you leave the gulch behind and wrap around the ridge above you. Where the trail winds through open chaparral dominated by chamise, good views east of deeply furrowed San Benito Valley open up.
Views to the north appear as you intersect High Peaks Trail (1.7/2,290')—go left. This is a good place to start looking for California condors. Since 2003, the park has taken part in the California Condor Recovery Program. Several dozen juvenile condors have been released here in recent years and more than 60 currently live in the region. Look for these majestic—and enormous—endangered birds early in the morning and just after sunset. Also keep an eye out for prairie falcons. Every year from January through June, roughly a dozen pairs of these raptors nest in the cliffs of the Pinnacles and can often be seen swooping between the peaks. They are readily identified by their pointed wings, narrow tails, quick wingbeats, and distinctive cries.
Curving through massive boulders and outcrops, the trail then offers up views of the Balconies, a large, deeply sliced outcrop visible northwest. Reaching a junction with Tunnel Trail (2.3/2,480'), continue straight on High Peaks Trail to begin an exciting section where bolted iron railings provide handholds for steep stairways whose steps are mere scoops in the rock. Passage is tight beneath Condor Crags, and descending those scoops is challenging; you soon reach a junction on the opposite side (3.0/2,470') where an outhouse is conveniently situated.
The volcanic jags of Pinnacles National Park
Keeping left on High Peaks Trail, you begin the steep switchbacking descent to Bear Gulch. You pass the aptly named Anvil along a brief level section before continuing down past large manzanitas to the junction with Rim Trail (4.5/1,600'). Descend left past Discovery Wall among handsome coast live oaks, and then go left again at the Moses Spring Trail junction (4.8/1,550') to quickly reach Bear Gulch Picnic area. Cross the road and follow the easy path back to the visitor center.
Nearest Visitor Center Pinnacles Visitor Center, in Pinnacles Campground, 831-389-4485, is open daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Nearest Campground Pinnacles Campground (83 sites) is on Hwy. 146, near the park’s eastern boundary; the fees are $23 per tent site for up to 6 people and $36 for RV sites with hook-ups. Reservations are recommended for weekends year-round; visit recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.
Additional Information nps.gov/pinn
HIKE 8 Fremont Peak
Highlight Superlative view of the entire Monterey Bay
Distance 1.0 mile
Total Elevation Gain/Loss 350'/350'
Hiking Time 1 hour
Recommended Map USGS 7.5-min. San Juan Bautista
Best Times After winter storms
Agency Fremont Peak State Park
Difficulty
ATOP FREMONT PEAK on March 6, 1846, John C. Frémont defiantly raised the first American flag in California. Three days later, as he sat surrounded by Spanish forces threatening to attack, his flagpole blew down. Taking this as a bad omen, Frémont departed and left behind this unrivaled panorama of Monterey Bay.
The Hike is a quick and easy ascent of Fremont Peak (3,169'), a prominent summit due east from the center of Monterey Bay. Unparalleled views are the reason to come here, making it critical to correctly time your visit. The air is cleanest and the grass greenest immediately following winter storms, but air quality rapidly declines without rain and will usually begin to deteriorate within 24 hours. Prepare for chilly and windy conditions during the winter months. Fog can completely obliterate the view during the summer. Crowds are minimal, especially in the winter. Water is available in the nearby campground.
To Reach the Trailhead Take Hwy. 156 east of Hwy. 101 for 3 miles to San Juan Bautista and head south on the Alameda (Hwy. G1). Approaching from the east, the turnoff is 9 miles past the junction of Hwys. 156 and 25. Immediately bear left on San Juan Canyon Rd. (Hwy. G1) at the complex four-way intersection and proceed 11 miles to the upper parking lot at road’s end. There is a nominal day-use fee.
Description From the trailhead, proceed up the paved road signed AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY. A singletrack dirt trail quickly splits off across from a few, stout Coulter pines, passing through coyote brush punctuated by some valley oaks and small madrones. It wraps around the western slope where the antenna complex comes into view. A series of short switchbacks leads you to the rocky summit.
Savoring the view, ignore the antennas as you behold the curving expanse of Monterey Bay. Its southern arm is formed by the Monterey peninsula, visible beyond the city of Salinas. Its northern end contains south-facing Santa Cruz on its shores. Two main rivers drain into
