Pinnacles National Park guide · 1 min read
Solitude on the North and South Wilderness Trails
Nearly 16,000 acres of Pinnacles National Park are protected as wilderness, a designation meant to preserve opportunities for solitude.
Two unmaintained trails give visitors a good chance to find it.
The South Wilderness Trail runs 6.5 miles round trip and takes three to four hours, with no elevation gain. Hikers can follow it to the park boundary, or stroll beneath valley oak woodlands, which also makes it a good spot for birdwatching.
The North Wilderness Trail Loop is the more demanding choice, covering 9.3 miles round trip in five to eight hours and climbing 1,020 feet. The route runs through out-of-the-way parts of the park on an unmaintained trail. Along the way it follows ridgelines and passes rock cairns, then loops back via the Balconies Trail.
Climbing to North Chalone Peak, the highest point in the park, is strenuous, and the top looks out across the valleys below. Hikers with more stamina can push on another 1.6 miles along an unmaintained trail to reach South Chalone Peak. The outlook there is unusual, taken in from the southern end of the Gabilan Range.
Plan ahead, since these trails receive no regular upkeep and careful navigation matters. Carry a map and look for rock cairns, as much of the route is open with little cover. Water can only be had in developed areas, so a liter for each hour on the trail is the minimum to pack. Cell coverage can be unreliable in such a remote place, so leave your itinerary with someone before setting out. Keep an eye on the sky for California condors, golden eagles, and prairie and peregrine falcons.
