Condor Gulch Trail - Pinnacles National Park

Our second hike at Pinnacles National Park during our March 2018 visit was along the Condor Gulch Trail. To reach the trail head from the east side visitor center, drive 3.0 miles southwest on CA 146 to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. The trail head, restrooms, and a small parking area are located on the right side of the road. A much larger parking area is located on the left side of the road. Parking for one handicap placarded vehicle and six passenger vehicles is available in the small lot. Additional paved parking for 48 passenger vehicles and two handicap placarded vehicles is available across the road. Nine additional gravel spaces are also available.

From the trail head to the overlook is 1.2 miles with an elevation gain of over 500 feet. This portion of the trail is rated as moderate, even though the average grade is over 8%. The overlook provides a view back down the gulch you've just climbed up. Views of the High Peaks are available just beyond the overlook, but before the next switchback. The intermittent rain showers compelled us to head back down to the trail head after reaching the overlook.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation Profile

Crosswalk to trail head

Gravel and rock trail surface

Weather station

Forested hillside

Condor Gulch

High Peaks

Bluff divides the forested lower half of the hill from the chaparral covered upper half

The trail is easy to follow

First of two buildings at the end of the service road

Second building

Trees yield to shrubs as the elevation increases and the soil moisture decreases

Looking back at the forested lower elevations

Trail surface is hard packed dirt and gravel

Boulders are almost completely covered with lichens and mosses

Standing water and a trail side boulder

Another trail side boulder

Deformed tree

Bluff across the gulch

Part of the High Peaks

Woolly Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa)

Rugged landscape covered with vegetation

Continuing up the gulch

Boulder field

Switchback #1

Switchback #2

Looking back down the trail

The High Peaks partially obscured by the rain

Unnamed Peak (2552')

Switchback #3

Switchback #4

The Unnamed Peak from a higher perspective

Side trail to the overlook

View from the overlook

Hawkins Peak (2700')

Deteriorating trail conditions due to the rain

Boulder field below Hawkins Peak

Overlooking the Overlook

A pair of ravens waiting out the rain

A final view before descending

Entrance to Pinnacles National Park requires an entry fee of $25 per passenger vehicle for a 7-day pass. Any of the America the Beautiful passes may be used instead.

The park website is https://www.nps.gov/pinn.