Page Type:
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Route |
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Route Type:
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Hiking |
Season:
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Spring |
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Overview
The loop is 9.9 miles and the total elevation gain is slightly over 1,000 feet.
Getting There
The trail head for the Northern Wilderness Trail is on the west side of the Pinnacles National Park. To get to the west side of the Park take Highway 101 to Soledad, then follow Highway 146 east for miles. Highway 146 is winding and narrow. In places, it is only one lane wide and is not recommended for RV's or trailers.
Route
After parking in the Chaparral Trailhead Parking area, walk nowrthwest past the picnic tables to the trail head. The trail parallels a creek before beginning to climb a ridge. When you reach the top of the ridge after 4 miles or so, you will notice a sign directing you to the North Fork Chalone Creek Drainage.
 Geoff near the start of the North Wilderness trail. Photo taken 3/13/11. |  Geoff hiking up the trail, with a distant view of the High Peaks in the background. |  The top of the ridge, just before turning to follow the Chalone Creek. Photo taken 3/13/1 |
The trail through the drainage heads east, before turing southward. The trail is marked with cairns. There are many creek crossings, downed trees to scramble over. Thrashing around and some back tracking to find the trail will probably be required.
 When the trail descends into the creek drainage it is narrow and hard to follow at times. Photo taken 3/13/11. |  Cairn marking the trail on the Northern Wilderness trail. Normally, I don't like cairns but I was happy to see them on this unmaintained trail. It is can be hard to figure out the path of least resistence. The cairns helped. |  One of the many creek crossings. Photo taken on 3/13/11. |
The trail intersects with the Old Pinnacles Trail where the North Fork of the Chalone Creek empties into the West Fork of the Chalone Creek. Turn west (left) on this trail, heading towards the Balconies Caves. A note of caution, if it has been raining, you may want to skip going through the caves which can be slippery when wet. You can take the bypass trail as an alternative. If you go through the caves, you will need a flashlight. Once you are in the caves follow the white arrows.
 Nearing the entrance to the Balaconies Caves. Flash lights are needed when you go through this talus cave. Photo taken 3/13/11. |  Geoff trying to figure out where the entrance to the caves is. Photo taken on 3/13/11. |  There are a few tight squeezes in the Balconies Cave. Photo taken 3/13/11. |
When to Hike - Wildflowers
I think the spring is the best time of year to visit the Pinnacles. The temperatures are moderate and the wildflowers are blooming. It can be quite hot in the summer - I avoid the place then. Photo taken while hiking the Northern Wilderness Trail on 3/13/11. There were a lot of shooting starts blooming at the time. |  Taken on the Northern Wilderness Trail, 3/13/11. |  Seen while hiking the Northern Wilderness Trail. 3/13/11. |