We decided to visit the newly created Pinnacles National Park.
It was formerly a National Monument. It's located in the Salinas Valley of California about 80 miles southeast of San Jose.
It is a very interesting place!
"The park's namesakes are the eroded leftovers of the western half of an extinct volcano that has moved 200 miles from its original location on the San Andreas Fault, embedded in a portion of the California Pacific Coast Ranges."
It is a popular place for rock climbers:
We decided to go on one of the hikes, but I only made it part way. Dan went on ahead and took lots of great pictures.
The hike involved going through rock tunnels and talus caves. Talus caves are formed when steep, narrow canyons were filled with boulders, leaving passages between the larger rock. (Too much claustraphobia for me!)
Here is one of the tunnels...
...and a narrow part of the trail
Now into the cave!
Dan said the cave was very dark and the light you see in these next two pictures is from the flash on his camera:
Below is a professional picture from inside the cave:
(FYI: Dan said he would never go in that cave again although he was glad he did it once. He was on his hands and knees part of the time and twisting and turning in the dark. He said if he had had a thicker shirt on, he would not have been able to squeeze through!)
Just coming out of the cave are these steep stairs:
At the top is Moses Reservoir...
...and some other beautiful sights...
...including lots of wildflowers...
Looking down on some of the pinnacles:
Later we went on a walk I could handle:
It was a fun, scenic and perfect Spring day!
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