Pinnacles NP, Chalone Peaks/Pig Fence/South Wilderness Loop Hike

Friday: (01/02) Breakfast sandwiches to start the day. I met my fellow San Jose Mid week Hikers Colin, Loretta and Chris and we headed off to the Peaks View trailhead. It was 25 degrees when we started. Fortunately it warmed up nicely by the time we were above the reserviour. We then hiked up the Bear Gulch Trail, through the caves past the reserviour and to the top of North Chalone Peak. There is an abandonded fire look out sttion there and there is the associated best view in the area there as well. We then hiked over to South Chalone Peak then to the Pig Fence. That is the end of the trail. We then hied down the mountain beside the pig fence which can be chalenging. It is a razor charp barbed wire fence on some very steep hills. I had broughr leather gloves for all the hikers. We managed to complete a loop hike by then returning via thr South Wilderness trail. No injuries and all hikers enjoyed the 14.5 mile hike finishing an hour after dark in 34 degree temps. Lou made spinack potatoes au graten for dinner.


The stairs from Bear Gulch caves up to the reservoir.  A view toward the High Peaks from the North Chalone Peak Trail.


The group with the High Peaks in the distance. A closed fire lookout tower on North Chalone Peak.


View of the pig fence. On right North Chalone Peak and the fire lookout tower on the left, High Peaks on the right in the distance.


Nice area in South Pinnacles. More pig fence views on the right.

 
And more pig fence views.