Greetings all. Once again, I did something that surprised even myself. I went mountain hiking! A gruesome 4 hour, 8.5Km hike up to the Pinnacles (California's National Monument). From the picture above, you can see spires and crags that bear no resemblance to the surrounding smooth, round hilss. These pinnacles are the remains of an ancient volcano. Or rather part of the remains, for the rest of this volcano lies 195 miles to the southeast. It is all part of the San Andreas Rift Zone, which runs just east of the park. The geological forces have shaped the face of this landscape for millions of years.

Pinnacles was set aside as a national monument on January 16, 1908, to preserve for their scientific interest these distinct pinnacles rocks and caves. Initial development of the monument was undertaken by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 through 1942. In 1976, the majority of the Pinnacles' land was protected as a congressional legislated wilderness. The monument protects remnant native plant and animal communities, class 1 air quality, cultural and historical features.

 

Above shows the route map. Pictures will be as follow:

• High Peaks Trail 1 (in Green)
• High Peaks Trail 2 (in Blue)
• Condor Gulch Trail (in Red)

   

  Below are some pictures taken at base camp (Bear Gulch Visitor Center).

After a 2 hour drive through the countryside, Me, Bill, Helen and Shane reached the National Park. We left the hotel at roughly 9:30 am. The drive was long and tedious but very well rewarded. The countryside is simply breathtaking. Shown here is the visitor center. Maps, posters, postcards available here.
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Timestamp: 11:34 AM

 

A woodpecker pecked tree filled with nuts.
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Timestamp: 11:46 AM

 

If you look carefully, you can see 2 woodpeckers (in the center and top right corner). They are in the process of pecking, whether to retrieve their food or to put new ones, I am not sure. During the hike, you will be able to hear thud thud thud once in a while.
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Timestamp: 11:46 AM

 

One of the few wildlife I did see. It's a blue jay. The animals aroudn here are not frightened of humans at all. This picture was taken without any huge zoom lens. My camera was about 20 cm away from it! On the shortage of animal pictures, its winter, all animals sleeping.
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Timestamp: 11:50 AM