Pinnacles NP, North Wilderness/Balconies Cave Loop Hike

Wednesday: (12/31) Breakfast sandwiches to start. My hiking group members Colin. Loretta, Cris, and Kathy arrived early at 0900 for our 0930 hike. We drove up to the Old Pinnacles Trailhead to start our hike of the North Wilderness Loop. The weather was great, warmer than expected. The trail is much better marked this time. When Lou and I hiked this many years ago it wasn't a trail at all, just an idea. Not too many other hikers on this trail today. The parking lots didn't fill all the way either. The North ilderness was beautiful with the greening thay the rains have brought. Our return was through the Balconies cave, another talus cave, basically a lot of big boulders piles over the trail. We finished about 1500. 10.3 miles today. They all returned home and will be returning for Friday's hike. Lou and Dawn left this morning for a day in Holister.


SOme different scenery in North Pinnacles. On right, Colin taking a photo of the group.


Approaching Chaparral area.