Pinnacles National Monument

[Roger]

Just noticed a site near (within commute range) of me.

What is your opinion of the Pinnacles National Monument?

http://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm


http://www.recreation.gov/campsiteFilterAction.do?sitefilter=ALL&startIdx=0&contractCode=NRSO

Sites are expensive but they have tent and RV sites.

Has anyone stayed there?

What is your opinion, if you have stayed there. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?

Thanks

Roger

 

[generubin]

I've only entered from the east end. For us it was a magical visit as the rain was pouring down. We hikes through the caves/tunnels. Every so often there would be an open area where the sunshine and rain would cascade into the tunnel. I believe there is no Park Service campground on the east side but there was a very decent private camp. We were there in winter, there was not another person all day, just us.

 

[Barko1]

There was a pretty good thread about Pinnacles on here not too long ago.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/4216/page__hl__pinnacles__fromsearch__1

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Just noticed a site near (within commute range) of me.

What is your opinion of the Pinnacles National Monument?

http://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm


http://www.recreation.gov/campsiteFilterAction.do?sitefilter=ALL&startIdx=0&contractCode=NRSO

Sites are expensive but they have tent and RV sites.

Has anyone stayed there?

What is your opinion, if you have stayed there. Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?

Thanks

Roger

Roger,the camping area on the east side is now under national park now.We stayed there in the spring last year.The summer is to hot.The west side through Soledad is only day use but you can camp at the east side and take a day hike round trip.It's about 8 miles but if you start at the cave area on the east side the hardest part is up to the top there.Make sure you the water even in the fall the temp can get warm.This place is one of our favorite places to go.We visit a couple times a year,but we live close.We like the west side the best for day hikes.If you get lucky you can view the condors.winter isn't bad just mostly rain but there could be snow on the higher peaks.I posted some pictures last year you could search the thread Pinnacles that should get you some condor shots.Have a good time.

Frank

 

[Roger]

Thanks!

I've booked a weekend in February. Rain, Shine, Snow or whatever they will have fun!

thanks to everyone for the pictures and suggestions.

Roger

Roger,the camping area on the east side is now under national park now.We stayed there in the spring last year.The summer is to hot.The west side through Soledad is only day use but you can camp at the east side and take a day hike round trip.It...

Frank

 

[crookedtail]

Had a couple great camping/hiking trips there about 15 years ago. Large campground with services, secluded tree-covered camps.

We went a couple of years ago in February to stop on our way to the coast. Yikes. The nicest parts of the campground were closed and the brush/trees needed maintenance in that area. Maybe closed due to tree hazards?? Anyhow, it was a Friday prior to the holiday weekend and the whole campground was booked, so we found one of the few open spots and resigned ourselves to the ass-to-tea-kettle style lots that had. As the afternoon went on I tried enjoying the bits of sun poking through, but was put on the wrong side by the incessant weed whacking noises. As evening came on, we were surprised to see that VERY few of our neighbors had come in, and then we worried about everyone showing up in the middle of the night. Well we should've put those worries away because no one cam in late. Everyone was just waiting for Saturday I suppose, but had to book Friday to get the rest of the weekend.

So, not a great stay for us. But that is what you get trying to get out on a holiday. Enjoy YOUR February, hope you picked an off-weekend.