I’ve been a volunteer in Pinnacles for 13 years, the first 10 working on the condor crew. This is the best video I’ve seen made by a visitor. The hit all the high points, gave excellent information, and you video skills are wonderful! Thanks for this.
90% of my last vacation to Cali was planned with the aid of your videos and I'm certain 90% of the next time I find myself back out west will be planned with the aid of your videos. Thanks as always for sharing the beauty of California in the way that you do!
Wow, that sure brought back some childhood memories! I remember a smelly sulfur pond and tales of a Juaquin Murrieta hideout up there somewhere. I was in my early teens when we went with a group of family friends. We had only one flashlight for the entire group and one dad had his knee go out when he went the wrong way into a tight section. Fortunately, there was a group of Boy Scouts there at the time and they helped us through. I think they earned a few badges that day. Thanks for a great revisit!
I went back in February it was incredible. One of my top 3 day hikes in the US! Saw condors in the high peaks, the caves are very unique. Also saw the greatest variety of bird life I have seen anywhere outside of Florida
I grabbed a campsite on the east side for a couple of days last year, rode my electric bike up & down the roads but didn't hike any of the trails because I'm in my 70's . . so watching your video was fantastic !!! Thank you so much for helping me see what I wanted to see but couldn't when I was there !!!
Great documentation as always. I hope you hike it sometime when it’s a super bloom year. Amazing. My fav memory is seeing 14 condors (High Peaks trail) on a dead tree. They obviously were condors because they all had ID numbers on their wings and they looked at me like what did they do to deserve this. I felt like a Far Side Cartoon.
The only time I visited pinnacles my son was very scared to go into any caves so I let my husband go on without us. Thanks for posting this, it's like I got to go in for myself!!
This was the best documentary for hiking Pinn I’ve seen - found this park as an 18 year old in 1973 working for what is now cal fire - it’s in my top 5 hiking locations in CA - was just there hiking a couple weeks ago wish I ran into you - you’re stuff is so well done the State/National Park systems should finance your work - Thanks for documenting Pinn
We've camped & hiked there a few times. We second what others have said here--you've really thought through what visitors need to know. So many first person accounts are so self-indulgent, often showing their family instead of what our family needs to know. Meaning that with your videos it's always 90% plus useful content--no fat, no gristle. And while your cinematographer skills are good, you focus on showing us what we can see rather than showing off those skills with artsy shots. Thanks!
Fantastic video! I’m going with my family next week and I’m feeling really confident and clear about the trails in the park! Thank you for the thorough exploration of Pinnacles!
Awesome video as always Josh! I am guessing that many people watching this video say to themselves "the Pinnacles look like Southern California" well that is absolutely true! The Pinnacles were actually part of a volcano that formed millions of years ago down near Lancaster and it also happened to be on the San Andreas Fault and it's taken 23 millions year's to travel up north on the Fault to present day San Benito County on the inland Central Coast. I have been going to Pinnacles since the early 90's when it was still a National Monument and its still one of my favorite parks to visit even if it's a lot more crowded than it used to be. My advice is similar to Josh in that don't visit in the summertime because it's just to blazing hot, it's a lot better in late Fall, winter and spring.
Yep same here David, but I believe. I started hiking Pinnacles in the mid 80’S!😁Awesome place to get your Rock climbing/hiking on! Saw many condors as u mentioned and the heat in summer is downright dangerous. The Caves I remember most, since the water was running thru the cave in some spots and we had to hand over little ones (5-6 yr old boy n girl)to each other so that their feet boots wouldn’t get soaked. We scrambled all over that reservoir and were pretty tired at end of day with all those miles of hiking! Good times. 😁💯👍
I grew up in Hollister (east park entrance) and would always drive the country roads surrounding the park with my mom. Thanks for highlighting our beautiful little area ❤️
Hiked it many times from the 70s through the 90s. Most memorable was right after a good snowfall and during light flurries- almost couldn’t get there by car. So beautiful. Thanks for the memories.
You do an excellent job explaining the trail system. I like the subtle music as you make your way along the trails. Your videos and stills are nicely done. I appreciate the history you provide.
The high peaks trail from the west side is pretty stunning. And the trail from the visitors center on the west side is easy and is a very pretty loop. Great loop to see wild flowers in the spring.
Fantastic Job! We left CA over a year ago but when we were in the bay our first RV and RV Trip was to Pinnacles. We have pics and short videos but NOTHING like this. Thank you Sir. It felt like we were back there👍🏻
This is a great video. Good job. I've been there once back in the early 80's and been planning to go back. This video helps a ton. Btw, I've been watching most of your travel videos.
I am blown away at how many nature reserves are in California. I hope they're still there when I can have the time to visit these spots at the west of the US.
Great video! I’ve hiked all of the Pinnacles trails during all seasons. My favorite season is spring: When you hike the Moses Spring Trail, you can see water cascade over some rocks. You can cool off right there if you want to! One year on the way to the High Peaks I was walking up the steps to the reservoir. I heard somebody play a didgeridoo in that short cave section. So eerie and so weird! Yes, these trails make my top 10! Thanks, Josh!
Thanks for sharing this, Josh! This really brought me back to my trip I took out there around 8 years ago! The coolest animal sightings I ever saw in a nation park was me driving into the West entrance early morning and seeing a pack of wolves! That was just amazing!
Excellent bud on the park! A recommendation. Any time you need a flashlight to explore, take minimum of two! They do fail for unexplained reasons. My Son and I visited Lava beds National Monument in Northern California. We took three flashlight and one went out! New batteries!! You have never seen so dark!! They rangers don’t know where your going and they don’t go out searching for lost souls. You will become a skeleton! Never, never rely on just one flashlight anywhere! On another note, that $5 Walmart flash did wonders!! Really lit up the scenes!!
Great filming! Enjoyed the footage of the caves. Pinnacles is definitely on my list of places I would love to travel to some time. New sub, watching from Arizona. Thank you for the great tour! 😍🥰👍
Nice, professional documentation of the park. We’re going to Colorado and eastern Utah this summer to Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands, but hopefully we can make it out to California one day. Other than Yosemite which we want to see this definitely looks like a good days adventure. We’re in our 50s and I have back and balance issues which makes are hiking choices limited, but hopefully still worth seeing for us. Thanks again.
@@californiathroughmylens I have a feeling Bal Coney has a dark history in California! ;) North Chalone is the highest peak in Pinnacles, and has an outhouse on the summit!
Thanks Josh. This video inspired me to visit. My first time in any caves. I had a great time. Your detailed video made my trip planning much easier. I should have taken your advice and entered the Balconies cave from the far end and climbed up the cave. Climbing downward was difficult.
I usually go up through the cave then go back the alternate trail that is stunningly beautiful. Makes a nice loop. I have yet to do the high peaks trail cuz I’ve usually been when it’s been pretty warm and unforgiving. And my knees are bad so I have to take the hike very slowly. Actually coming down is the challenge. But I think pinnacles is super stunningly beautiful. The rocks are so amazing. I’ve had condors swoop down to check me out when I did part of the high peaks. But I’ve never been through the switchbacks. I love the steps and handrails.
Thanks again for this! I’m glad I followed your recommendation to do Bear Gulch Cave & Reservoir before taking the Rim Trail to High Peaks, instead of the information desk’s suggestion to go up through Condor Gulch Trail. I started late (11am) and the heat almost did me in! Thank again!
Wow! Dry Tortugas to Pinnacles. You really get around! We were here for the first time since it became a National Park in December. Camped on the East side but the power went out. Hiked through the caves to the reservoir and looped back. It was alot of fun hiking through the cave. My opinion of Pinnacles definitely exceeded expectations. Never saw any condors though. Well done video as always.
I was planning to visit the park and thankfully your post is right on time to get information. What a wonderful video and as always very informative. Thank you very much
Should've done this even as a monument when we lived in Monterey. Those caves look so much fun. High Peaks has great views, but caves are not a typical thing to explore.
Glad you liked the video, the only part that is a little tough is the exit to Bear Gulch but it is only because you have to bend over a decent amount to get below the rock, but it is pretty wide. I hope you enjoy exploring the park!
Thanks for the great video! I was planning to drive there TODAY and camp for the rest of the week, but had to cancel because I woke up with a really bad cold! I'll have to enjoy it vicariously through your lens until I can get there myself!
Love from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada! We have been watching your videos on our TV screen and did not know how to subscribe to your channel there. So today we are doing it on our laptop out of guilt. We like your videos and keep visiting places vicariously. Btw, I, wife would never venture into these caves and my husband said he won't too.
Love Pinnacles. I've been lucky enough to see a mountain lion there, as well as condors. Another good trail option is to North Chalone Peak, the highest point in the park. Great views from there and no other people, even on a busy day.
It’s funny how today we went hiking at one of the hiking trails in Palos Verdes, and it looks so much like some parts of this park… I’m actually surprised that you did a longer video than usual, and you still made it work. It was very informative, so as always thank you for sharing this with us. 🙌🏼
haha yea some of the park looks a like like the rest of CA, until you get to the caves and peaks. I wasn't planning on doing as long of a video but it kind of just became what it is. I need to stop doing long videos they are taking a toll on me 😂
Just visited Pinnacles. Weekend in January and it was quite busy. The big issue I found is the lack of infrastructure/organization. The main trail near bear gultch has a parking lot, it is a. decent size, but is about 2.5 miles from the visitors center with no other real parking near. They had the road to the only 2 lots blocked and had to use the overflow parking. A shuttle would have been a huge help to many visitors. Had to tack on 5 miles to the 6 miles bear gultch loop trail. Trail itself was gorgeous and unique, well worth it. But keep in mind if you are not in peak shape. 11 miles was a lot even for me and my friends who are all in solid shape.
There used to be a campground on the West side of Pinnacles. Fantastic hiking. Tried to go through Balcony Cave without a flashlight, it goes total black. You really do need a light.
I’ve been to the upper cave once when it was open. It wasn’t that great. Honestly I think the other part of the cave is more interesting. The bear gulch center was open one time I was there. It was small but decent. I tried to see the balconies caves but I couldn’t climb through due to a knee injury. But the rest of the trail was awesome. The west side visitor center is ok. Nothing special. The best info is outside the park. Bu5 when open, the rangers are very helpful. They have a very nice and clean restroom. The trails on the west side are pretty cool.
Thank you for another awesome National Park hike! I always look for your videos before visiting another NP and this one did not disappoint! My boyfriend and I are hiking Pinnacles NP in April 2025 as well as Saguaro NP. I believe that will 45 National Parks that we would have hiked at 72 years old for the both of us. Have you hiked all the National Parks in US already?
I went on one or two of the trails on the east side in May 2019, but not in either cave. The weather was relatively mild for an afternoon in that month. That was one of the few parks I have visited where I only spent a couple of hours - I usually spend more time in each park I go to.
Idk how but I’ve seen so many of your videos and was never subscribed 🤦🏽 I’m always like “this video looks great already” then “oh it’s him!” Love the vids.
Another way to tell the difference between the birds is that condors do not wobble. One of the problems people have is they start on one side going to the high peaks and wind up on the other side because they did not pay attention to trail signage! If you are up to it, one of the best hikes is to do the high peaks trail from the east side, drop down to the west side, and return via the balconies trail; parking at old Pinnacles parking lot and get a ride to the bear gulch lot will shorten the hike.
Loved seeing Pinnacles again , I haven't been since I was a kid back in the mid 60's but I still remember the reservoir (the only hike we did) . As a kid I loved the park even though we were only there for one afternoon and always wanted to go back except it is in a somewhat inconvenient location for my normal travels . If I'm going north or south through California I prefer to take highway 395 , a lot more stuff along that highway to see and do at least of the things I like , plus I absolutely despise interstate 5 so there's that . Maybe I will make a detour out of the norm the next time I head down to Texas for a launch at Boca Chica , I'm a San Diego transplant living near Seattle now .
I recommend also hiking with a large size black-light flashlight. Don’t buy the small ones. Reveals a lot of cool features in caves, nooks, and crannies! Thanks
I’ve been a volunteer in Pinnacles for 13 years, the first 10 working on the condor crew. This is the best video I’ve seen made by a visitor. The hit all the high points, gave excellent information, and you video skills are wonderful! Thanks for this.
Thank you so much for your volunteer work for so many years!
I agree. He always does such a great job. 👏
90% of my last vacation to Cali was planned with the aid of your videos and I'm certain 90% of the next time I find myself back out west will be planned with the aid of your videos. Thanks as always for sharing the beauty of California in the way that you do!
So cool to hear, glad the videos could be so helpful!
Wow, that sure brought back some childhood memories! I remember a smelly sulfur pond and tales of a Juaquin Murrieta hideout up there somewhere. I was in my early teens when we went with a group of family friends. We had only one flashlight for the entire group and one dad had his knee go out when he went the wrong way into a tight section. Fortunately, there was a group of Boy Scouts there at the time and they helped us through. I think they earned a few badges that day. Thanks for a great revisit!
I went back in February it was incredible. One of my top 3 day hikes in the US! Saw condors in the high peaks, the caves are very unique. Also saw the greatest variety of bird life I have seen anywhere outside of Florida
I grabbed a campsite on the east side for a couple of days last year, rode my electric bike up & down the roads but didn't hike any of the trails because I'm in my 70's . . so watching your video was fantastic !!! Thank you so much for helping me see what I wanted to see but couldn't when I was there !!!
Great documentation as always. I hope you hike it sometime when it’s a super bloom year. Amazing. My fav memory is seeing 14 condors (High Peaks trail) on a dead tree. They obviously were condors because they all had ID numbers on their wings and they looked at me like what did they do to deserve this. I felt like a Far Side Cartoon.
Would love to see it in a super bloom year! Wow, 14 condor is amazing!
The only time I visited pinnacles my son was very scared to go into any caves so I let my husband go on without us. Thanks for posting this, it's like I got to go in for myself!!
Glad you got to see them! Maybe next time you all can go in
This was the best documentary for hiking Pinn I’ve seen - found this park as an 18 year old in 1973 working for what is now cal fire - it’s in my top 5 hiking locations in CA - was just there hiking a couple weeks ago wish I ran into you - you’re stuff is so well done the State/National Park systems should finance your work - Thanks for documenting Pinn
We've camped & hiked there a few times. We second what others have said here--you've really thought through what visitors need to know. So many first person accounts are so self-indulgent, often showing their family instead of what our family needs to know. Meaning that with your videos it's always 90% plus useful content--no fat, no gristle. And while your cinematographer skills are good, you focus on showing us what we can see rather than showing off those skills with artsy shots. Thanks!
This is a favorite camping destination for me and my husband. It is such a unique and beautiful place!
It really is a beautiful place!
Fantastic video! I’m going with my family next week and I’m feeling really confident and clear about the trails in the park! Thank you for the thorough exploration of Pinnacles!
Awesome video as always Josh! I am guessing that many people watching this video say to themselves "the Pinnacles look like Southern California" well that is absolutely true! The Pinnacles were actually part of a volcano that formed millions of years ago down near Lancaster and it also happened to be on the San Andreas Fault and it's taken 23 millions year's to travel up north on the Fault to present day San Benito County on the inland Central Coast. I have been going to Pinnacles since the early 90's when it was still a National Monument and its still one of my favorite parks to visit even if it's a lot more crowded than it used to be. My advice is similar to Josh in that don't visit in the summertime because it's just to blazing hot, it's a lot better in late Fall, winter and spring.
Oh wow, I was thinking about how much it looked like Southern CA, thanks for sharing that info!
Yep same here David, but I believe. I started hiking Pinnacles in the mid 80’S!😁Awesome place to get your Rock climbing/hiking on! Saw many condors as u mentioned and the heat in summer is downright dangerous. The Caves I remember most, since the water was running thru the cave in some spots and we had to hand over little ones (5-6 yr old boy n girl)to each other so that their feet boots wouldn’t get soaked. We scrambled all over that reservoir and were pretty tired at end of day with all those miles of hiking! Good times. 😁💯👍
I grew up in Hollister (east park entrance) and would always drive the country roads surrounding the park with my mom. Thanks for highlighting our beautiful little area ❤️
Hiked it many times from the 70s through the 90s. Most memorable was right after a good snowfall and during light flurries- almost couldn’t get there by car. So beautiful. Thanks for the memories.
I hiked the ridge trail and caves with my sons for Spring break 2015 and 16. It is beautiful.
So awesome!
You do an excellent job explaining the trail system. I like the subtle music as you make your way along the trails. Your videos and stills are nicely done. I appreciate the history you provide.
The high peaks trail from the west side is pretty stunning. And the trail from the visitors center on the west side is easy and is a very pretty loop. Great loop to see wild flowers in the spring.
I need to try the high peaks trail from the west, I have never done that!
Can't wait to experience these hikes! Great job.
Fantastic Job! We left CA over a year ago but when we were in the bay our first RV and RV Trip was to Pinnacles. We have pics and short videos but NOTHING like this. Thank you Sir. It felt like we were back there👍🏻
That is awesome! So glad the video brought back good memories
This is a great video. Good job. I've been there once back in the early 80's and been planning to go back. This video helps a ton. Btw, I've been watching most of your travel videos.
Thanks for the terrific tour Josh. I’ve moved Pinnacles up on my list and look forward to visiting soon.
This is an excellent video on this park. I stumbled across this park by accident. I am planning on visiting this park in 2024. Thanks for the insight.
I go here once a month. Practically my backyard. Thank you for sharing!
Oh wow that is awesome, I am sure you know a lot more than me!
Thank you for this documentation! Pinnacles is my favorite California NP and I’m thankful you give it the love it deserves.
It is one that deserves more attention, it is beautiful
I live a half hour from pinnacles and I gotta say you really captured it really well
Thank you, I appreciate that!
I am blown away at how many nature reserves are in California. I hope they're still there when I can have the time to visit these spots at the west of the US.
It is crazy how many amazing natural spots there are in CA!
Great video! I’ve hiked all of the Pinnacles trails during all seasons. My favorite season is spring: When you hike the Moses Spring Trail, you can see water cascade over some rocks. You can cool off right there if you want to! One year on the way to the High Peaks I was walking up the steps to the reservoir. I heard somebody play a didgeridoo in that short cave section. So eerie and so weird! Yes, these trails make my top 10! Thanks, Josh!
Thanks for sharing this, Josh! This really brought me back to my trip I took out there around 8 years ago! The coolest animal sightings I ever saw in a nation park was me driving into the West entrance early morning and seeing a pack of wolves! That was just amazing!
Excellent bud on the park! A recommendation. Any time you need a flashlight to explore, take minimum of two! They do fail for unexplained reasons. My Son and I visited Lava beds National Monument in Northern California. We took three flashlight and one went out! New batteries!! You have never seen so dark!! They rangers don’t know where your going and they don’t go out searching for lost souls. You will become a skeleton! Never, never rely on just one flashlight anywhere! On another note, that $5 Walmart flash did wonders!! Really lit up the scenes!!
Great filming! Enjoyed the footage of the caves. Pinnacles is definitely on my list of places I would love to travel to some time. New sub, watching from Arizona. Thank you for the great tour! 😍🥰👍
if you can go in the spring the wild flower Display can be Amazing.
Nice, professional documentation of the park. We’re going to Colorado and eastern Utah this summer to Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands, but hopefully we can make it out to California one day. Other than Yosemite which we want to see this definitely looks like a good days adventure. We’re in our 50s and I have back and balance issues which makes are hiking choices limited, but hopefully still worth seeing for us. Thanks again.
Bear Gulch trail has been my all time favorite hike, but the Balconies cave was a close 2nd.
Both are great but I like Bear Gulch more too!
Love your videos my dude. Can’t wait to visit this park
I love hiking here. 😊 Thanks for showing the high peaks trail. I would have loved when I was younger but not now. 😳😁
La Potranca in King City is delish!
Great commentary Josh and your tips on the hiking trails are very helpful.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching
Omg it’s so beautiful there I would love to go there some day .
I love this park, so underrated! Been there three times!
AND we get a longform video of it!!! So happy!
haha, the Bal Coney's cave part was awesome!
And have you hiked to North Chalone Peak yet? Most epic outhouse ever!!!
haha glad you liked the video and the Bal Coneys part 😂 I haven't done North Chalone Peak, I will have to look it up!
@@californiathroughmylens I have a feeling Bal Coney has a dark history in California! ;)
North Chalone is the highest peak in Pinnacles, and has an outhouse on the summit!
Fantastic video, Josh! Love when you do a deep dive into a lesser visited park like this one.
Glad you enjoyed it! I want to share a video from every national park on my two channels
What’s your other channel?
Great job!
Thanks Josh. This video inspired me to visit. My first time in any caves. I had a great time. Your detailed video made my trip planning much easier. I should have taken your advice and entered the Balconies cave from the far end and climbed up the cave. Climbing downward was difficult.
Was an hour and a half away from this spot growing up and never went; hope to go one day when I go back home.
I usually go up through the cave then go back the alternate trail that is stunningly beautiful. Makes a nice loop. I have yet to do the high peaks trail cuz I’ve usually been when it’s been pretty warm and unforgiving. And my knees are bad so I have to take the hike very slowly. Actually coming down is the challenge. But I think pinnacles is super stunningly beautiful. The rocks are so amazing. I’ve had condors swoop down to check me out when I did part of the high peaks. But I’ve never been through the switchbacks. I love the steps and handrails.
Wow that is awesome that you had a condor swoop near you! Yea it is a little rough on the downhill for sure on the high peaks trail
This is very cool.
Well done.
I am there with you.
Double kudos.
Beautiful imagery.
So nice that it makes me jealous.
i live near by so i'm out there often. lt's a beautiful day there every time.
Thanks again for this! I’m glad I followed your recommendation to do Bear Gulch Cave & Reservoir before taking the Rim Trail to High Peaks, instead of the information desk’s suggestion to go up through Condor Gulch Trail. I started late (11am) and the heat almost did me in! Thank again!
I love learning about new places... Thanks a lot!
My son's boy scout troop is up there this weekend. 😊
This is the best video I have seen on Pinnacles.
Yes, very cool park and trails. Did not know this was a NP. I will add it to my list.
Thanks 😊 always excellent videoa
Wow! Dry Tortugas to Pinnacles. You really get around! We were here for the first time since it became a National Park in December. Camped on the East side but the power went out. Hiked through the caves to the reservoir and looped back. It was alot of fun hiking through the cave. My opinion of Pinnacles definitely exceeded expectations. Never saw any condors though. Well done video as always.
I was planning to visit the park and thankfully your post is right on time to get information. What a wonderful video and as always very informative. Thank you very much
Thanks for sharing this. I haven't been to the Pinnacles since high school days.
What a great video with good information to help plan out a trip to there. Thank you Josh! I can't wait to visit there with my kids.
Glad it was helpful!
I like your video of Pinnacles. I watch your videos with my Daddy
GRL - Age 5.
Should've done this even as a monument when we lived in Monterey. Those caves look so much fun. High Peaks has great views, but caves are not a typical thing to explore.
Thanks for the comprehensive tour! I’d love to go soon! My only concern is fitting in those caves… I’m blessed w/ natural padding in the hip area.
Glad you liked the video, the only part that is a little tough is the exit to Bear Gulch but it is only because you have to bend over a decent amount to get below the rock, but it is pretty wide. I hope you enjoy exploring the park!
Thanks for the super informative tour of pinnacles will aspire to do most of those hikes next week!
Thanks for the great video! I was planning to drive there TODAY and camp for the rest of the week, but had to cancel because I woke up with a really bad cold!
I'll have to enjoy it vicariously through your lens until I can get there myself!
Bummer about getting sick. I hope you can get there soon!
This is your best video in my opinion. Thanks!
Love from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada! We have been watching your videos on our TV screen and did not know how to subscribe to your channel there. So today we are doing it on our laptop out of guilt. We like your videos and keep visiting places vicariously.
Btw, I, wife would never venture into these caves and my husband said he won't too.
I’ve used your videos to plan two vacations now. Thanks for the great content!
So great to hear, I am glad the videos are helpful!
Pass of the cave but just an amazing park! Thanks for the tour!
Love Pinnacles. I've been lucky enough to see a mountain lion there, as well as condors. Another good trail option is to North Chalone Peak, the highest point in the park. Great views from there and no other people, even on a busy day.
Wow, a mountain lion, that is crazy! I will have to try North Chalone Peak next time
It’s funny how today we went hiking at one of the hiking trails in Palos Verdes, and it looks so much like some parts of this park… I’m actually surprised that you did a longer video than usual, and you still made it work. It was very informative, so as always thank you for sharing this with us. 🙌🏼
haha yea some of the park looks a like like the rest of CA, until you get to the caves and peaks. I wasn't planning on doing as long of a video but it kind of just became what it is. I need to stop doing long videos they are taking a toll on me 😂
Just visited Pinnacles. Weekend in January and it was quite busy. The big issue I found is the lack of infrastructure/organization. The main trail near bear gultch has a parking lot, it is a. decent size, but is about 2.5 miles from the visitors center with no other real parking near. They had the road to the only 2 lots blocked and had to use the overflow parking. A shuttle would have been a huge help to many visitors. Had to tack on 5 miles to the 6 miles bear gultch loop trail. Trail itself was gorgeous and unique, well worth it. But keep in mind if you are not in peak shape. 11 miles was a lot even for me and my friends who are all in solid shape.
Good work here! I'm really looking forward to seeing it now. Thanks
Thank you, for a brilliant video. It is on my list of places to vist and after seeing your video it should go to the top of the list.
Amazing place!!! Thanks Josh, I’ll make plans to hike there
I’m thankful you did it. Cause I never could afraid of heights and very claustrophobic 😁
Glad I could share with you what it is like!
There used to be a campground on the West side of Pinnacles. Fantastic hiking. Tried to go through Balcony Cave without a flashlight, it goes total black. You really do need a light.
I’ve been to the upper cave once when it was open. It wasn’t that great. Honestly I think the other part of the cave is more interesting. The bear gulch center was open one time I was there. It was small but decent. I tried to see the balconies caves but I couldn’t climb through due to a knee injury. But the rest of the trail was awesome. The west side visitor center is ok. Nothing special. The best info is outside the park. Bu5 when open, the rangers are very helpful. They have a very nice and clean restroom. The trails on the west side are pretty cool.
Good to know, I would have to plan an entire trip around it. I may in the future but it is good to know I am not missing much.
Thank you for another awesome National Park hike! I always look for your videos before visiting another NP and this one did not disappoint! My boyfriend and I are hiking Pinnacles NP in April 2025 as well as Saguaro NP. I believe that will 45 National Parks that we would have hiked at 72 years old for the both of us. Have you hiked all the National Parks in US already?
Really love these Videos about america. Hope to see more soon!
Totally Awesome an Excellent video production
I’ve seen it on the map while traveling down 101 but never gone there. Beautiful video!
It's worth checking out for sure!
Just went to the east side toady following your exact route. Your guide in this video helped my trip planning immensely. Keep up the good work.👍
I went on one or two of the trails on the east side in May 2019, but not in either cave. The weather was relatively mild for an afternoon in that month. That was one of the few parks I have visited where I only spent a couple of hours - I usually spend more time in each park I go to.
Idk how but I’ve seen so many of your videos and was never subscribed 🤦🏽
I’m always like “this video looks great already” then “oh it’s him!” Love the vids.
What a beautiful park ❤
Another way to tell the difference between the birds is that condors do not wobble. One of the problems people have is they start on one side going to the high peaks and wind up on the other side because they did not pay attention to trail signage! If you are up to it, one of the best hikes is to do the high peaks trail from the east side, drop down to the west side, and return via the balconies trail; parking at old Pinnacles parking lot and get a ride to the bear gulch lot will shorten the hike.
I never heard about this park! I’ll be in the area at the end of May so I’ll be sure to check it out
I hope you enjoy it!
The upper part of the cave is also a super tight squeeze and gets pretty low in some places! 😊
Awesome content glad I found someone who enjoys hiking like I do. You just got my sub
I gotta visit these caves. Awesome video Josh
Great video! Thank you.
Cool. Always wanted to go there and looks like my kids can make that hike.
Awesome! Yea the cave hike could be fun for older kids for sure!
Been hoping to make a trip to this place for the 1st time soon. This video has been very helpful & got me excited for it :)
So glad it got you excited to visit the park!
Excellent presentation! Thank You
I definitely want to do this park but I think it’s going to have to be a dedicated vacation rather than a weekend trip to avoid crowds.
Yea, it is pretty tough on the busy weekends. Camping for a night or two could be fun though, not much light pollution so the stars are great too.
Loved seeing Pinnacles again , I haven't been since I was a kid back in the mid 60's but I still remember the reservoir (the only hike we did) . As a kid I loved the park even though we were only there for one afternoon and always wanted to go back except it is in a somewhat inconvenient location for my normal travels . If I'm going north or south through California I prefer to take highway 395 , a lot more stuff along that highway to see and do at least of the things I like , plus I absolutely despise interstate 5 so there's that . Maybe I will make a detour out of the norm the next time I head down to Texas for a launch at Boca Chica , I'm a San Diego transplant living near Seattle now .
I recommend also hiking with a large size black-light flashlight. Don’t buy the small ones. Reveals a lot of cool features in caves, nooks, and crannies! Thanks
Oh wow that would be awesome to see!
Great little place, If you can add it with a trip on Naciemento Road, from coast to Hunter Liggot to Park. East Side, don't bother with west.
Def gonna check this out..thanks for sharing!
Thanks for making this very informative video.
Thanks for the great video. Where's Pops 🤔🤔. Some of the hike too claustrophobic?? Good job. I really enjoy traveling with you two 😊.
haha he would not have liked this park as it is all heights and caves which he hates haha
My neck of the woods. Thanks for sharing 👍
No problem 👍
Planning to go in a month from now. Hope the caves are open with lots of water :)
Thank you. This was great. I just subscribed.