I wanted to
organize a Pinnacles wildflower hike, and the end of March
seemed a likely time to see wildflowers and still not have to
roast in the summer heat that can come to the area. If you
have any interest at all in California native plants, you'll
enjoy hiking this area, especially with Grindylow who has a
passion for California native plants.
Thanks to Hotshoe for the excellent recommendations on the
Veranda Cafe and on the hike itself.
And a special thanks to Touchstone who put me in "touch" with
the several threads on the Web for people interested in hiking in
the Pinnacles in March.
After much electronic coordinating, I have put together a
geoevent that will pull together many of these threads.
The Camp, Veranda Cafe and Pinnacles March will take place over
March 24th (Friday) and 25th (Saturday) and 26th (Sunday). The
Event includes:
* - Camping at the private campground on the East Side of the
Pinnacles (www.pinncamp.com, 2400 Hwy 146, Paicines, CA 95043 Phone
(831) 389-4462),
* - Gathering at the Veranda Cafe in Tres Pinos southeast of
Hollister (6881 Airline Hwy, Tres Pinos, CA 95075 Phone: (831)
628-0500) on Saturday OR Sunday morning betweeen 8:00 and 9:10
a.m.,
* - Gathering at the Visitor Center on the east side of the
Pinnacles (www.nps.gov/pinn) between 10 and 10:30 a.m., Saturday or
Sunday and/or
* - Joining the assembled group for a hike through the Pinnacles on
Saturday or Sunday! Note: as cache owner, there will NOT be a group
hike associated by this event or led by me on Saturday if there is
any chance of thunderstorms!
(Trails Map:
http://www.nps.gov/applications/parks/pinn/ppMaps/ACF108C.gif)
You need only to do or attend one of the above to log this Event
as Attended.
The posted coordinates should be the approximate location of the
Visitor's Center.
I have added additional Waypoints for the Veranda Cafe, the
campground, etc.
THE HIKE as recommended by Hotshoe:
"From Bear Creek visitor center, climb up Condor Gulch towards
"Sampling of Rocks" and "Chalone Creek Fault" then through the High
Peaks trail to the junction which goes downhill to the west side
(is that Juniper canyon ?) Three more earthcaches on the west, plus
the old virtual at the Balconies cave. Followed by an almost-level
return along Chalone creek drainage, which returns to the eastside
without having to climb back over the peaks. Total elevation gain
about 1500 ft. that way, about 10 miles walk. Option to loop back
to visitors' center from High Peaks without going down to the west,
still gains almost all the elevation, but shortens the hike to
about 5 miles (and only 3 caches total) Possible detour from Bear
Creek visitors center to enter the lower bat caves, about one extra
mile, no extra caches."
Hope to see you there! Think good thoughts for good weather!
Enjoy! And happy caching!
50sumtin
Cell: 510 557-7567
March 23 PARKING UPDATE - CONTINGENCY PLAN: The Rangers have
advised me to prepare a Contingency Plan for parking as the Park
expects to be busier than usual due to the opening of the Caves
this weekend! (That is a good thing as the Caves are cool!)
As a result, I should expect that between 10 am and 10:30 am we
will be assembling at the Visitor Center, and hopefully starting
the hike at 10:30 am. Those with time constraints may feel free to
start their hike earlier if they need to.
PARKING CONTINGENCY PLAN 1: There will be overflow parking at
the East Side Park entrance near the campgraound with free shuttles
to the Visitor Center from there. When you get to the Entrance
Kiosk, you will be directed by teh Ranger as to where to park.
PARKING CONTINGENCY PLAN 2: There is also parking available at
the Cholone Creek site. However, there does not appear toi be
shuttle sewrvice from that site to the Visitor Center, and this
would require a hike to the Visitor Center.
Those of you who are camping at the Campground, please take the
free shuttle to the Visitor Center rather than driving in.
CAVES: I recommend that you bring flashlights if you would like to
go into the Caves. 
And please be sure to bring drinking water! Mr GeoSafety
cautions you to avoid dehydration!