GroundControl - Jan 10, 2010 5:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 29, 2009
Clear day, beautiful.
Beautiful hike w/ my wife and a friend, Jonathan. Loved hiking through the caves...
lisae - Jan 2, 2010 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Jan 2, 2010
From Bear Gulch
The first time I've hiked up to North Chalone Peak. Great views! The manzanitas are blooming right now and attracting lots of bees. Every time I walked by one I could hear loud buzzing before I saw the bees. Pretty neat!
SageHawk - Sep 2, 2009 8:32 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2009
Condor Roost
Have climbed this one many times, usually by the standard route from Bear Gulch. Be sure to do the High Peaks trail while you are in the area. That's where the best scenery is in this park.
fedak - Jan 13, 2009 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2008
WickedRugged - Mar 30, 2008 9:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2008
Summited in Fog
My plan was to do North and South Chalone, but the weather didn't cooperate. Anticipating the weather report of 70 and sunny, I wasn't quite prepared for 45 and windy with light mist at times. Views weren't too bad, but I expect on a clear day they are spectacular. Bailed on South Chalone this time, maybe I'll try again when its warmer. Decent workout, 3 hours up and down including time at the top and taking a ton of pictures on the way down.
mlarkin2002 - Mar 2, 2008 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2008
Up and Down
Up and down through the bear gulch cave. Windy day, so all the smog and haze were blown away; good views. Passed on S Chalone this time.
Up via the Rim Trail from the east side (Bear Gulch) in 1h 40m. Snooze/lunch on top. Down to the High Peaks junction, up, along the High Peaks Trail and down Condor Gulch to the car.
Good workout, excellent views and perfect (not too hot) weather. Just under 6 hours car to car.
My 6th or 7th visit to the Pinnacles. Enjoy it more every time.
Wallylongridge - Jan 31, 2007 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Feb 22, 2006
Eastside, The Trail
its hard to believe this place started in Santa Barbara.
lakenyon - May 14, 2006 9:55 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2005
Trail
Went up.
Fredd C Dobbs - Apr 7, 2006 3:54 am Date Climbed: Apr 6, 2006
Route Climbed: Chalone Peak Trail
Finally, a day without rain! Took advantage of the break in the weather to climb North Chalone Peak. Despite the recent heavy rains the trail was in great condition with no mud. There was a small portion of the trail which was flooded at the resevoir, but it was easily by passed. Nice time of year for this hike- everything is green!
A nice hike we did from Pinnacles, did some bouldering and scrambling on the way up. Great views from the summit.
jakefrisbee - Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2006
From Bear Gulch
Nice hike, well graded. Leave all the people at the Reservoir behind and go to North Chalone! We met a guy in the Bear Gulch parking lot who was going on a 30 mile trail run: up and over High Peaks, down to the West side, north wilderness trail, back to Bear Gulch, then out to North Chalone (which he called the "gut check" part) then back down with another loop through the High Peaks(?)! Anyways, he said he loves running there. It's humbling to meet people like that.
Decided I didn't want to drive all the way around to Bear Gulch and needed to get in a good hike, so I started from Chaparral on the West side. Started kinda late, 11:20am, and it was a little warm being June but some cloud cover helped about half way up to the summit. This is probably the toughest route as you have to climb over 1000 ft to reach the High Peaks Trail, then descend almost 900 ft back down to Bear Gulch Reservoir before climbing about 1750 ft to the summit. It really gets tough having to climb again after the inital 1750 descent to Bear Gulch Reservoir on the way back.
Route Climbed: North Chalone Peak Trail Date Climbed: July 11th, 2004
Ok, not the most intelligent thing to do. I started out at the Bear Gulch parking lot at 11 am in the middle of July. I finished at 5 pm. Yes, right in the middle of the heat and it was very hot! Luckly, I packed 7 liters of water and drank ~5! The trail is well marked and well maintained. There is no shade on the route whatsoever. I was able to make it to the peak in 1:45 min (~4.5 miles). I decided to try my luck and summit South Chalone as well. See my summit log there for details. Overall, the views were nice, but I would recommend this hike in the late fall or early spring. The air quality will be better and you won't experience the sizzling of your brain tissue.
Route Climbed: The trail :) Date Climbed: 19 March, 2004
Lovely hike on an exceptionally clear day. Exuberant wildflowers and a (possible) condor sighting made the hike even better. Bring plenty of water if it's hot (which it was)! Hike report and pics are here
Route Climbed: Regular Date Climbed: January 17, 2004
Very easy hike from the Eastern park entrance (Ranger Station). We only had a couple of hours to kill before the park closure and decided to check this hike out. Views from the top were nice on this very clear and warm winter day. What a great introduction to this wonderful park! (this was our first time there)
Route Climbed: Chalone Peak Trail Date Climbed: 03-Jan-2004
Cold morning scramble from the reservior. Very clear day. Continued on to South Chalone Peak, though I'm not sure this bit was worth the extra effort. Pics: here
GroundControl - Jan 10, 2010 5:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 29, 2009
Clear day, beautiful.Beautiful hike w/ my wife and a friend, Jonathan. Loved hiking through the caves...
lisae - Jan 2, 2010 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Jan 2, 2010
From Bear GulchThe first time I've hiked up to North Chalone Peak. Great views! The manzanitas are blooming right now and attracting lots of bees. Every time I walked by one I could hear loud buzzing before I saw the bees. Pretty neat!
SageHawk - Sep 2, 2009 8:32 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2009
Condor RoostHave climbed this one many times, usually by the standard route from Bear Gulch. Be sure to do the High Peaks trail while you are in the area. That's where the best scenery is in this park.
fedak - Jan 13, 2009 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2008
TrailAnnual new years trip to Pinnacles.
Continued on to South Chalone
http://www.fedak.net/albums/ChalonePeaks2008.html
WickedRugged - Mar 30, 2008 9:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2008
Summited in FogMy plan was to do North and South Chalone, but the weather didn't cooperate. Anticipating the weather report of 70 and sunny, I wasn't quite prepared for 45 and windy with light mist at times. Views weren't too bad, but I expect on a clear day they are spectacular. Bailed on South Chalone this time, maybe I'll try again when its warmer. Decent workout, 3 hours up and down including time at the top and taking a ton of pictures on the way down.
mlarkin2002 - Mar 2, 2008 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2008
Up and DownUp and down through the bear gulch cave. Windy day, so all the smog and haze were blown away; good views. Passed on S Chalone this time.
vancouver islander - May 9, 2007 8:42 pm Date Climbed: May 2, 2007
Up, down and alongUp via the Rim Trail from the east side (Bear Gulch) in 1h 40m. Snooze/lunch on top. Down to the High Peaks junction, up, along the High Peaks Trail and down Condor Gulch to the car.
Good workout, excellent views and perfect (not too hot) weather. Just under 6 hours car to car.
My 6th or 7th visit to the Pinnacles. Enjoy it more every time.
Wallylongridge - Jan 31, 2007 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Feb 22, 2006
Eastside, The Trailits hard to believe this place started in Santa Barbara.
lakenyon - May 14, 2006 9:55 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2005
TrailWent up.
Fredd C Dobbs - Apr 7, 2006 3:54 am Date Climbed: Apr 6, 2006
Route Climbed: Chalone Peak TrailFinally, a day without rain! Took advantage of the break in the weather to climb North Chalone Peak. Despite the recent heavy rains the trail was in great condition with no mud. There was a small portion of the trail which was flooded at the resevoir, but it was easily by passed. Nice time of year for this hike- everything is green!
McCannster - Apr 2, 2006 11:52 pm Date Climbed: Apr 2, 2006
Nice day in the PinnaclesA nice hike we did from Pinnacles, did some bouldering and scrambling on the way up. Great views from the summit.
jakefrisbee - Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2006
From Bear GulchNice hike, well graded. Leave all the people at the Reservoir behind and go to North Chalone! We met a guy in the Bear Gulch parking lot who was going on a 30 mile trail run: up and over High Peaks, down to the West side, north wilderness trail, back to Bear Gulch, then out to North Chalone (which he called the "gut check" part) then back down with another loop through the High Peaks(?)! Anyways, he said he loves running there. It's humbling to meet people like that.
davehead - Aug 16, 2005 2:21 pm
Route Climbed: Chaparral Date Climbed: 6/16/05Decided I didn't want to drive all the way around to Bear Gulch and needed to get in a good hike, so I started from Chaparral on the West side. Started kinda late, 11:20am, and it was a little warm being June but some cloud cover helped about half way up to the summit. This is probably the toughest route as you have to climb over 1000 ft to reach the High Peaks Trail, then descend almost 900 ft back down to Bear Gulch Reservoir before climbing about 1750 ft to the summit. It really gets tough having to climb again after the inital 1750 descent to Bear Gulch Reservoir on the way back.
Matthew Holliman - Feb 9, 2005 12:57 am
Route Climbed: There's a choice? Date Climbed: Jan 30, 2005Pleasant morning hike through Bear Gulch Caves up to the peak, and back through the High Peaks.
Hack - Jul 23, 2004 3:53 am
Route Climbed: North Chalone Trail Date Climbed: 1994Climbed this peak several times when I was younger, climbed with the family during summer trips to the pinnacles
blmcclain - Jul 12, 2004 5:55 pm
Route Climbed: North Chalone Peak Trail Date Climbed: July 11th, 2004Ok, not the most intelligent thing to do. I started out at the Bear Gulch parking lot at 11 am in the middle of July. I finished at 5 pm. Yes, right in the middle of the heat and it was very hot! Luckly, I packed 7 liters of water and drank ~5! The trail is well marked and well maintained. There is no shade on the route whatsoever. I was able to make it to the peak in 1:45 min (~4.5 miles). I decided to try my luck and summit South Chalone as well. See my summit log there for details. Overall, the views were nice, but I would recommend this hike in the late fall or early spring. The air quality will be better and you won't experience the sizzling of your brain tissue.
adampaul - Jun 21, 2004 3:30 am
Route Climbed: The trail :) Date Climbed: 19 March, 2004Lovely hike on an exceptionally clear day. Exuberant wildflowers and a (possible) condor sighting made the hike even better. Bring plenty of water if it's hot (which it was)! Hike report and pics are here
Misha - Jan 19, 2004 7:43 pm
Route Climbed: Regular Date Climbed: January 17, 2004Very easy hike from the Eastern park entrance (Ranger Station). We only had a couple of hours to kill before the park closure and decided to check this hike out. Views from the top were nice on this very clear and warm winter day. What a great introduction to this wonderful park! (this was our first time there)
fedak - Jan 15, 2004 1:29 am
Route Climbed: Chalone Peak Trail Date Climbed: 03-Jan-2004Cold morning scramble from the reservior. Very clear day. Continued on to South Chalone Peak, though I'm not sure this bit was worth the extra effort.
Pics: here
brianhughes - Jan 11, 2004 11:30 pm
Route Climbed: Direct route from Bear Gulch Visitor Center Date Climbed: January 10, 2004See my Trip Report for more details.