Perseids Meteor Shower Hike and Camp one night at Pinnacles NP

SIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/

CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.

SUMMARY
This overnight event includes an evening/night hike with meteor shower viewing, overnight camping, and a shorter morning hike. On the first evening we’ll hike up to the top of the High Peaks trail where we’ll see the Condors soaring in the evening sky and watch the sunset. On the way back, we’ll stop on a big flat rock, lay back and watch the peak of the Perseids meteor shower in the dark sky with a new moon for a couple of hours. Then we’ll hike back to our cars with headlamps for a short drive back to the campsite where we’ll camp for the night. This alignment of the peak of the meteor shower coincident with a new moon provides excellent meteor viewing conditions and only occurs every 19 years!

We’ll camp for one night, and the next morning eat breakfast (BYOB), and do a short hike through the caves. After the hike, we’ll finish packing up our cars for 11am check out (we may be a little late), we can take a dip in the pool before returning home around 12:30pm.

On the way home, optional stop for a late lunch at Grillin & Chillin Alehouse 401 McCray St b24, Hollister, CA 95023 https://maps.app.goo.gl/HZETJYNZkEQxLxye8

Arrive at campsite by 3:30pm to give yourself time to check-in, setup your tent, and get ready for the first hike. Campsite booking details below.

Wednesday 8/12 Evening Hike #1 Details:
Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail (out and back)

Start time: 5:45pm Finish time: 11pm (Time for viewing sunset, and meteor & star gazing)
Distance: 5.4 miles (out and back same route)
Elevation Gain/ Loss: 1650 ft
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate+

BRING:
HEADLAMP with a red-light option or red cellophane for stargazing.
White light ruins everyone’s night vision instantly!
Extra batteries.
2.5 liters WATER minimum (It will likely be hot. Expect 90 at start but will cool off quickly)
Pad to lay on for stargazing,
(e.g. Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/klymit-static-v2-sleeping-pad-21klyusttcv2slpngcsl/21klyusttcv2slpngcsl )
Food/Dinner/snacks for meteor and star gazing stop
Small soft, lightweight cooler for your dinner with ice pack.
Small backpack
Sun hat (not much shade)
Sunscreen
Layers (Cooling to about 60 at end of hike but check forecast)
Hiking poles (optional)

Park Rules: No Dogs

Recommended Maps https://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Details: We’ll arrive to the campground by 3:30pm giving us time to check-in and setup our tents. Check in time is 3pm so you can arrive earlier if you would like to take a dip in the pool. At 5:45pm we’ll take an 8 minute drive to the Hike 1 starting point to start our hike at 6pm sharp. At the top we will see the Condors soaring in the evening sky as the sun sets. There are some very steep sections with foot steps cut into the rocks and a steel handrail. Not very difficult but if you are absolutely terrified of heights (like going up a ladder), there is an option to turn around. (You won’t miss the meteor viewing stop.)

NAVIGATION:
To campground: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4zkbe4wXwFaWcKS17
Check-in at the campground store.
Carpool from campground to Wed. evening Hike #1 start location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ndFBwXuoRDjAczPVA
Meet at campground #7 for carpool to hikes. Or each campsite can drive and meet there.

Thursday Morning Hike #2 (Bear Gulch Caves to Rim Trail)
Start time: 9am
Distance: 2mi.
Elevation: 400ft
NAVIGATION: Carpool 8 minutes to hike #2 start: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pZ5FNZkeLrp4ZX3Z7
Or if lot full, go back .2 miles and park here (same as hike #1 parking)
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/moses-spring-and-rim-trail-loop
Bring: Headlamp for caves and water.

The day will heat up quickly but we’ll be in caves for most of the hike time which will keep us cool. After the morning hike, we’ll pack up our campsites. Then cool off with a dip in the campsite pool before heading home around 12:30pm.

Option to stop in Hollister on the way home for lunch at Grillin & Chillin Alehouse 401 McCray St b24, Hollister

BOOK campsite here (or coordinate share on groupcarpool):
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234015
I’m in campsite #7 and it is full. (See my carpool listing.)
BRING your own food for dinner and breakfast.
All campsite information included on the recreation.gov link.
DO NOT leave food out as racoons will quickly go for it even if you are close by. Use provided lockers.

National Park entry fee: $30 per car (one-time) (Free if in you have a NP pass.)
Campsite fee: $49.28 per site (Half that if you have a NP pass.)

Carpooling and sharing campsites:
We will use this link for carpooling and/or sharing campsites. Add request to comments.
Limit is 3 tents per campsite.
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/dg07fb
If you commit to a carpool and sharing a campsite, you are responsible for paying your share or finding someone to take your spot if you cancel for any reason! Do not flake on the person who booked the site. Organizers of booking sites/carpools may want to take payment in advance.

CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool or campsite share in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone. Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above. Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".

Hike #1 Directions: (We’ll likely stay together but a good idea to bring this.)
Park at Bear Gulch Day Use Area
Take Condor Gulch Trail 1.7 miles
Left on High Peaks Trail, go .6 miles
Left to stay on High Peaks Trail. Go .3 miles to Peak before turning back.
On the way back, we’ll stop on a big flat rock off the Condo Gulch Trail for about 90 minutes for meteor viewing/eating.

Hike #2 Directions: (We’ll stay together so you shouldn’t need this but provided for your information.)
From Bear Gulch Day Use Area
Take Sycamore Trail SW .2 miles to Pinnacle Moses Spring Parking Area (or we’ll start here if there is parking)
Take High Peaks Trail
Left on Moses Spring Trail
Left on Bear Gulch Cave Trail
Left on Moses Spring Trail to small lake
Right on Rim Trail
Right on High Peaks Trail
Left to stay on High Peaks Trail back to parking lot

HIGHLIGHT
The Perseids meteor shower peak this summer coincides with a new moon. This happens only once every 19 years and we can expect to see many meteors! The event picture is the milky way and was taken the last time I did this trip.