The last time I went to Pinnacles National Park, it was in January earlier this year. For my return trip I tried a different hike, and I was rewarded with a spectacular display of wildflowers. This 5.3-mile "lollipop" hike (taking Old Pinnacles Trail out and back and then making a small loop with the Balconies Cave Trail and the Balconies Cliff Trail) is mostly flat out along the West Fork of the Chalone Creek. Here, I saw lots and lots of clarkia, yarrow, and bush poppies. In Balconies Cave, you must have a flashlight to navigate through the dark talus cave, and you get to scramble over the rocks (which is really, really fun!). Up along the Balconies Cliff Trail, you get to see spectacular views of both Machete Ridge and the Balconies Cliffs. While I was there today, I saw mariposa lilies, clarkia, and more. It was so beautiful! I went on a weekday, and the park was mostly empty. It was no problem at all to park directly at the Old Pinnacles Trailhead Parking Area. This probably would not be possible on a weekend, because the park does get very busy in the spring. I have driven all the way out there on a weekend, only to be turned away because the park was too full. It was glorious on a spring Monday though--peaceful with perfect temperatures and beautiful color everywhere; I am kind of sad that spring is ending and summer is starting. The park gets notoriously hot over the summer--often breaking 100 degrees Fahrenheit--so I probably won't be going back until late fall when the heat has broken.
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