Pinnacles: Bear Gulch Cave, High Peaks Trail (4.5 hrs, 1600')

The Pinnacles Hike with MSG-Milpitas Social Group

Use this address to meet at the EAST SIDE of the Pinnacles

Pinnacles Campground - Click HERE (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=251+Vineyard+Town+Center+Way+Morgan+Hill,+CA+95037&daddr=2500+Highway+146,+California+95043+(Pinnacles+Campground)&hl=en&geocode=FepJNgIdNN-_-ClnPhQObyCOgDGS1BrCd2DgCQ%3BFSjBLAIdnV_H-CHa50VKY0q7yA&mra=ls&sll=36.494734,-121.151733&sspn=0.306913,0.545197&ie=UTF8&ll=36.774092,-121.390686&spn=1.27818,2.180786&z=9) and print it out ‎
2500 Highway 146
Paicines, California 95043

Use Hwy 25 E. (DO NOT USE HWY 101) to get there.

Hiking, Caves, Beautiful trails and Great Views
If you have never been to the Pinnacles, you need to go!

This place is magical. With red rock spires pointing upwards askew - It sort of looks like the mountains in Disneyland's Runaway Train - Big Thunder ride. And then there is the

Bear Gulch Cave. You get to hike through total darkness to reach the reservoir at the west side of the cave. This is a real adventure as you need to duck and squeeze through a few tight spots in the cave. And you will get your shoes wet.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/1/a/e/event_22493678.jpeg

Cave/Trail hiking - about 1.5 hours (part loop, part out and back) - 400' elevation change. You can skip the cave section and do only trails if you don't like the dark or are claustrophobic.
High Peaks trail - difficult but beautiful High Peaks trail loop: 3+ hours more - 1200' elevation change. Get a true eagle's-eye view of the park from the high peaks on trails carved into the granite ledges.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/1/a/c/event_22493676.jpeg

Carpool location:

Starbucks
251 Vineyard Town Center Way
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Directions from Star Bucks in Morgan Hill: Click HERE (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=251+Vineyard+Town+Center+Way+Morgan+Hill,+CA+95037&daddr=5000+Hwy+146+Paicines,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FepJNgIdNN-_-ClnPhQObyCOgDGS1BrCd2DgCQ%3BFaenLAIdMurG-CldrWl7tEOSgDEo19LMe-zOtQ&mra=ls&sll=36.481389,-121.181409&sspn=0.005616,0.008905&g=5000+Hwy+146+Paicines,+CA&ie=UTF8&ll=36.801588,-121.389313&spn=0.711443,1.139832&z=10)

Meet and depart from Starbucks at 8:00 AM
Travel time: from carpool spot to the park, about 1.5 hours.
Google route from the carpool place to the East (Bear Gulch) entrance (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=251+Vineyard+Town+Center+Way+Morgan+Hill,+CA+95037&daddr=5000+Highway+146,+Paicines,+CA+95043+%28Pinnacles+National+Monument%29&hl=en&geocode=FepJNgIdNN-_-ClnPhQObyCOgDGS1BrCd2DgCQ%3BFa-aLAIdfd3G-CE2J1bO7Ws6jw&mra=ls&sll=36.859845,-121.455231&sspn=0.648277,1.139832&ie=UTF8&ll=36.798289,-121.389313&spn=0.648799,1.139832&z=10)

Trail Head: Parking lot at the Bear Gulch Visitor Center (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5000+Hwy+146+Paicines,+CA&layer=c&sll=36.480935,-121.181646&cbp=13,21.83,,0,4.01&cbll=36.481062,-121.181618&hl=en&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5000+California+146,+Paicines,+San+Benito,+California+95043&ll=36.480956,-121.181678&spn=0.001404,0.002226&z=19&panoid=gEzx75k0tf8xq3nEGLWNFA) Hike Time: 10 AM Cost: NPS Vehicle fee: $5.00 Pinnacles Park Entrance: EAST ENTRANCE - Bear Gulch Visitor Center Links and more information: Pinnacles Home Web site (http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm) Information about the caves (http://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/cavestatus.htm) the Pinnacles Trail map (http://files.meetup.com/419553/PINNmap3.pdf) Carry and drink plenty of water, especially on hot days...

Pets are not allowed on trails.
Pinnacles National Monument is not a good place to bring a dog. They are only allowed on paved roads and in parking and picnic areas. You cannot leave your dog unattended, even in your car. If you plan on hiking, it is best to leave your dog at home. Pinnacles is an important place for wildlife, and dogs can leave behind scents that disrupt the natural patterns of local animals.

Bring everything you need for your visit.
This includes drinking water, food and beverages, flashlights and hiking equipment. Bottled water and flashlights are available at the Bear Gulch Visitor Center and Chaparral Ranger Station. On the east side of the park, the campground store offers snacks and drinks during short business hours each weekday afternoon and weekend.

Bring your lunch as we will picnic along-side the reservoir.
A few reminders:

I know it is Sunday AM but try to arrive at the carpool place @ 8:00AM We need to hit the road as close to 8 AM as possible If you are going directly to the Pinnacles, be at the Bear Gulch Visitor Center by 10 AM Each Person MUST have a flashlight to go through the caves Expect your shoes to get wet Bring lunch, water, sunscreen and dress in layers Bring snacks to share with others Cell phones will NOT work in the park If you are doing the High Peaks Trail, wear real hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, sunscreen and snacks Print this map and bring it with you: the Pinnacles Trail map (http://files.meetup.com/419553/PINNmap3.pdf) http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/1/a/d/event_22493677.jpeg

Don't forget extra clothes as the weather is unpredictable. There are no concessionaire services within the Pinnacles Nat'l Monument, so bring everything that you need for your visit. Bottled water and flashlights are usually available for purchase at the Bear Gulch Visitor Center.

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Responsibility:
Please be aware that we expect you to take responsibility for your safety while we are out on the trails. This means being prepared with adequate hiking gear and making sure the difficulty level of the event IS NOT beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. We understand that your "Yes" RSVP to this event means you accept this.

Release of Liability:

By joining us for this event you hereby RELEASE and DISCHARGE it's owners, principals, affiliates, presenters, organizer, hosts and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice or information contained herein. You further agree that if you or someone under your supervision uses the information on this website you assume all risks of injury, damage, and economic loss, without limitation, and release providers from all liability therefore.

Driving directions from Starbuck in Morgan Hill to the Pinnacles:

Merge onto US-101 S via the ramp to Los Angeles – 11.9 miles Take exit 353 for CA-25 toward Hollister – 0.2 mile Turn left at CA-25 S – 11.1 mile Turn right at CA-156 BUS W/San Felipe Rd -0.9 mile Continue onto CA-25 E/San Benito St -0.9 mi Turn left at CA-25 E/Nash Rd -0.6 mile Turn right at CA-25 E/Airline Hwy -28 miles Slight right at CA-146 W/Pinnacles Hwy -2.9 miles CA-146 W/Pinnacles Hwy