Pinnacles National Park Chalone Peak Trail

Join us at the Bear Gulch Day Use Area Parking for a day-long adventure as we hike up to a deserted fire tower at the top of Chalone Peak boasting the highest peak at Pinnacles National Park with 360 degree views.

We are starting the hike from the Bear Gulch Parking lot to give you time to take the shuttle from the campground, or hike in from an alternate parking area, in case the Bear Gulch lot is full.

Details:

• Where: Pinnacles National Park EAST entrance
  Meet at the Bear Gulch Day Use Area Parking by 9:00 am
• Boots-on-the-Trail by 9:15am
• Distance: up to 9 miles
• Effort: This hike is Moderate to Strenuous
• Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
• Highest Elevation: 3,000+ feet
• Entrance fee: $30/car or a National Parks Pass
• No dogs allowed on the trails
• Links: Chalone Peak Hike Information, entrance fees & pass options, NPS maps

Carpooling: Recommended as parking is very limited. Use the comments section to connect with others. If using GPS to plan your route to the Bear Gulch Parking Area at Pinnacles, please add at least 30 minutes to your ETA as the drive takes longer than the estimated times and you may have to wait in line at the entrance gate.
Water: Available at the Bear Gulch parking lot.
Restrooms: Available at parking lots, and there are pit toilets (aka: Loos with a view) once we get to the top of Chalone Peak.
RSVPs & Cell Service: If you RSVP yes, but change your mind, please change your RSVP to "no" ASAP as we will have no cell service for the 2nd half of the drive to Pinnacles and while at many areas in Pinnacles. We are meeting at 9:00am in the parking lot and will start hiking promptly at 9:15am, so please come early to find parking, stretch, use the facilities, and get ready for the hike. If you run late, check the itinerary below to find us on the trail as we will be stopping for water and snack breaks.
Parking: There are only 65 parking spots available at Bear Gulch, so you will need to arrive early to find parking or plan to walk to Bear Gulch from one of the other parking areas (usually about a mile or so walk). Another option is to arrive early and park at the lot behind the campground store where you will be able to take the shuttle to Bear Gulch.
Shuttle Service Status: The shuttle service is available from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Pinnacles Campground. The last shuttle leaves Bear Gulch Day Use Area at 5:30 pm. Please plan your transportation accordingly.

Bring

• Backpack and shoes or boots with good tread
• At least 2 liters of water
• Lunch and snacks for the trail
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Hat, sun protection, and layers
• Trekking poles (optional)

Itinerary
The trail takes us to the Bear Gulch Cave, if open. The cave has low passages and stretches of uneven terrain. You must be ok with traversing tight, dark, and possibly wet spaces. There are narrow rock stairways and some low-clearance spots. Either a flashlight or headlamp is required. If the cave is closed, we will take the Moses Springs bypass trail to the reservoir. Once at the reservoir, we will take a short break. This is also a good place to adjust layers before we start the ascent to Chalone Peak. Once we reach the top of the peak we will stop for lunch and to admire the view. After lunch we will head back to the reservoir and take part of the rim trail to the parking lot bypass trail.

If your schedule allows, there is the option to join us for and early dinner at one of our favorite post-hike destinations in King City:
Tacos La Potranca de Jalisco
201 Broadway St, King City, CA 93930
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Disclaimer
This Meetup group, its organizers, and its members, take no responsibility for any injuries or accidents that may occur during events. By joining this event you take full responsibility for your own safety. Please ensure that you are in good health before participating and understand that there is risk involved in your participation. This Meetup group does not certify the qualifications of any of its organizers or trip leaders, and they are not responsible for your safety. We are all just participants. By participating you acknowledge you have read this Disclaimer and agree to its terms.