Pinnacles

So after failing to get into Yosemite with the reduced capacity due to COVID I headed down to Pinnacles National Park 80 miles outside of San Jose.

Have I mentioned that I love mountains? because I frickin love mountains. Pinnacles is a wonder of beautiful 2-8 mile hikes through canyons, caves, and over passes through the peaks that give the park its name. I was able to do most of the trails I was interested in doing in two days at about 15 miles (30 total miles of trails in the park) of exhausting hiking. The passes through the peaks are not for the feint hearted; the trails are narrow, the slopes are steep, and wind gusts will often challenge your balance and footing.

I was able to see a plethora of wildlife while I was there; Condors, Vultures, Ravens, Crows, California Scrub Jay, and possibly a violet-green swallow that dashed past me on the trail. There were several lizards scurrying around in the scrub near the trails, and California ground squirrels were everywhere.