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 Pinnacles National Monument California

 

Here begins my journey. This page will be dedicated to the GREEN trail. Total length is 3.7 km and it took us 1 1/2 hours to reach the first point. This trail leads from the Center south through Bear Gulch for approximately .8 km before joining the High Peaks Trail. The first part of the hike is a smooth uphill walk. But this is where I strained the most due to the fact I never been on a hike before. After that, my body got used to it. A few basic rules I learnt that is a must for mountain hiking.

        1. Always drink before you are thirsty
        2. Always eat before you are hungry
        3. Always rest before you are tired
        4. Watch for rattlesnakes
        5. Watch for poison oak
        6. Wear sturdy, no-slip footwear
        7. DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE

         

        Warning (Lots of pictures follow) Please be patient while the photos load. Timestamp of picture give you a general idea of the duration of hike. More photos here (991KB)

(Front the front) Bill, Helen, Shane, me and Bruce (behind me) up one of the first few bends. Everyone is in high spirits. The sun is up but it is still freezing cold in the shade. Mountain air is excellent. (I have never taken such clean gulps of air before). The journey begins.
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Timestamp: 12:03 PM

 

Time for a short stop and to take pictures of the scenery. We are still at a low altitude. The plants around here consists of thick bushes, sparse plants and very little grass. Due to the winter, the lanscape resembles more of a tundra.
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Timestamp: 12:11 PM

 

Most of the hills here are made of rocks. Tons and tons of rocks. As such, the hike trail consist of lots of loose gravel. Can very easily slip.
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Timestamp: 12:11 PM

 

Still at the same rest stop. Here you can see (from left) Helen, Bill, Shane and Bruce. Rest stops was frequent at the first leg while all of us adjust ourselves to the hike. Shane is holding Bill's walking sticks. For your info, Bill is 54, Bruce is 36+, Shane is 26+ and Helen (unknown):D.
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Timestamp: 12:11 PM

 

One of the natural rock formations. Shaped by wind, frost and rain. Looks like a dragon's head to me. I dubbed it Dragon Head Rock. Our trail continue upward past that rock and towards the rock outcrop you see on your right.
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Timestamp: 12:31 PM

 

For geological fans, that's volcanic rock you see. Lots of them everywhere. The sky is clear, the wind is cold and the air is fresh. What else do you need?
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Timestamp: 12:37 PM

 

Group Picture. 38 Minutes into our hike. As you can see, most of us had shed our extra layers of clothes (refer to 4th picture). Its not the air, but we were sweating like crazy. Been about 15 degrees climb all the way. Shane and Bill are frequent mountain hikers.
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Timestamp: 12:38 PM

 

How much will you pay for such a backdrop in your picture? Must be one of the best pictures ever taken by me (my camera anyway). Just incredible.

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Timestamp: 12:39 PM

 

Tired and sweaty group continue on our way. Heading towoards that rock outcrop (can be seen in previous pictures also). If this hike was performed in Malaysia, all of us would die from heat stroke. Luckily, the cold weather reduce some strain on the body.
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Timestamp: 12:42 PM

 

Picture of the valley. Beautiful the view? Still very clear sky.
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Timestamp: 12:46 PM

 

Bill's bright idea for me to pose like this. Blame him if I look stupid.

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Timestamp: 12:54 PM

The picture speaks for itself.
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Timestamp:1:08 PM

 

Finally we have reached Point 1. We are at 2000+ feet. Time for a 20 minutes break. Time to eat and drink. I brought 2 bottles of water, 3 packs of biskuts and 2 packs of cookies.(small packs)
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Timestamp: 1:25 PM

 

Mum mum. Bill beside big rock. Shane sitting down. Me taking pictures.
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Timestamp: 1:25 PM

 

View from top of the rest point.(South View)I didn't dare go to the edge of the rock (that's what obstructing the lower part of the picture). If I did, my fall will most definitely kill me.
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Timestamp: 1:30 PM

 

North View. My party member still at the rest point while I was on an outcrop to take pictures.
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Timestamp: 1:30 PM

 

 

 

 

 

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