PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK
High Peaks to Sycamore Loop | Paicines, CA
★★★★☆
An epic trek through a popular park known for its jagged volcanic landscape dotted with huge boulders and impressive California condors.
Last hiked 11/1/20
Length: 6.7 mi.
Gain: 1600 ft.
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Strenuous
Crowds: High
Dogs: No
THE RUNDOWN
Pinnacles National Park has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason. Once a site teeming with volcanic activity, it’s a truly unique gem just outside the Bay Area, and it prides itself as a sanctuary for the California condor, an endangered but recovering species.
Minus the caves, this hike takes you on the best the park has to offer. Magnificent boulders, stunning views, and maybe even a condor sighting await you.
Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Fees: $30/vehicle (valid for 7 days); free with national park annual pass
Trailhead: At the Moses Spring Parking Area, or across the Bear Gulch Day Use Area.
Restroom: Yes
We took a clockwise loop starting at the Moses Spring Parking Area. You could also start and finish at the Old Pinnacles Parking Area, but you’ll add about 1.5 miles to your hike.
The lot at Moses Spring Parking Area fills up well before 9am on weekends. You’ll likely need to park up the road at Bear Gulch Day Use Area (trail also accessible from here). This bigger lot fills up quickly too, so we recommend arriving as early as possible.
STEP BY STEP
↑ From either Moses Spring Parking Area or Bear Gulch Day Use Area, follow signs for High Peaks Trail.
Note: use caution when going up and down the single-track rock stairs at the peak.
↑ Continue onto Blue Oak Trail.
→ Turn right onto Sycamore Trail. Continue until you return to Moses Spring Parking Area.
Note: On older maps, this trail might be called Bear Gulch Trail.
We had the good fortune of seeing a condor soaring close by.
High Peaks Trail offers unique volcanic rock formations and expansive views of the park.
Rock climbers can be seen throughout the park.
MUSINGS
If there’s one practical lesson Pinnacles has taught us, it is to arrive as early as possible. Most parking areas are full by 9:30am, and you don’t want to start your day performing the parking lot circle ritual. If Moses Spring Parking Area is full, you can park further up the road at Bear Gulch Day Use Area (we did this), or try your luck at Old Pinnacles Parking Area (start and finish on Bench Trail, adding 1.5 miles to the hike).
The climb up High Peaks Trail is strenuous but grows increasingly scenic. Take your time to enjoy all the rock formations, which are already visible early on and may be dotted with top ropers and boulderers.
Once you’ve reached the top, this is where things get intense. You’ll feel like a mountain goat traversing the High Peaks with rock-carved steps. Keep in mind that many of these steps are designed to be one-way, and always hold the railing. Take your time and use caution. By the way, the High Peaks make for a great snack or lunch break area. You deserve and need the calories!
Now comes time for our favorite hiking mantra—don’t forget to look up. You might spot a California condor soaring high above. Look for a black bird with a white or light-colored band under each of its massive wings. You might even be able to see tracking tags on the front of the wings.
After enjoying High Peaks, continue onto Blue Oak Trail, which is surrounded by—you guessed it—plenty of oak trees and tall grasses. This part of the hike has a totally different feel to it, and it’s a welcome sight especially in the late spring or summer when the park can be uncomfortably hot and dry.
Note: Bear Gulch Cave and Reservoir are highly worth visiting, but the trails leading there (Moses Spring or Rim Trail) are currently closed due to COVID-19. You could also take a giant detour to Balconies Cave (via Old Pinnacles Trail) after High Peaks, once it is open again. Check the park site for details and updates.
MORE INFO
Some Reminders
At Pinnacles, the early bird (condor) gets the worm (carcass). Arrive before 9am for your best chance at parking and beating the crowds on the trails.
Bring at least 3 liters of water. It can be dangerously hot late spring through fall. Check the hourly weather before you go; hiking when temperatures exceed 90°F is inadvisable (another reason to head out early!).
Pack in, pack out! Please help keep our national parks clean, and don’t take any nature home. Except for photos. Take lots of them.
Helpful Resources
Official park page here.