Pinnacles of Achievement on a Challenging Trail

By national park standards, Pinnacles National Monument is fairly small--16,000 acres. But there’s a lot of park packed in and around the towering rock pinnacles that give the monument its name.

In addition to the high spires, hikers who accept the challenge of trekking in the park’s North Wilderness also will view slopes bristling with gray pine, dark caves and a pretty canyon cut by Chalone Creek. Pinnacles is very much a hiker’s park.

North Wilderness Trail is the hardest hike in the park. In keeping with its wilderness designation, the trail is only minimally maintained by the park service. Signs are sparse, though metal fence posts do mark the path. Expect a steep, brushy, sketchy-in-spots trail, as well as a dozen creek crossings. This trip will be most enjoyable for experienced hikers with good back-country skills.

The hike described below begins at Chaparral Campground. You could make a similar loop beginning from Chalone Creek Picnic Area, adding another two miles to the total distance.

Those looking for a less challenging adventure will enjoy the two other trails that start at Chaparral Campground. Balconies Trail (the North Wilderness return route) meanders a mile along the west fork of Chalone Creek to Balconies Caves; Juniper Canyon Trail heads for the High Peaks area.

Directions to trail head: From U.S. 101 in Soledad, take the Soledad/California Highway 146 exit eastbound. Drive 12 miles to the Chaparral Campground; admission to the national monument is $5 per vehicle. At the end of the parking lot, follow the trail to the walk-in campground. The path begins at a break in the fence.

The hike: The trail leads through grassland, then climbs a ridgeline, serving up good views.

About 3.5 miles from the trail head, North Wilderness Trail turns east and you begin a mellow descent along the north fork of Chalone Creek. You make several creek crossings, traveling from bank to bank amid cottonwood, willow, oak and sycamore trees. Another 3.5 miles of hiking brings you to a junction with Old Pinnacles Trail.

Turn west up this path and begin a gentle 1.3-mile climb along the west fork of Chalone Creek to a junction. Balconies Cliff Trail (0.8 mile) offers good views of the Balconies, while Balconies Cave Trail (0.4 mile) travels through the caves. The two paths meet, and a final 0.6 mile on Balconies Trail leads you back to the Chaparral trail head.

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North Wilderness Trail

WHERE: North Wilderness, Pinnacles National Monument.

DISTANCE: From Chaparral Campground, a 9.9-mile loop with 1,000-foot elevation gain.

TERRAIN: Banks of Chalone Creek, top of ridge.

HIGHLIGHTS: Wilderness hike, infrequently traveled terrain.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Strenuous.

PRECAUTIONS: Map and compass recommended; flashlight required for travel through Balconies Cave.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Pinnacles National Monument, Paicines, CA 95403; tel. (408) 389-4485.