2 m away
North Chalone Peak
The highest peak in Pinnacles National Park, rising to a height of 3,306 feet above sea level.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 635 m
- Descent
- 635 m
One of the most popular hikes in Pinnacles National Park
Hiking Moderate
This easy hike to Bear Gulch Cave is one of the most popular hikes in Pinnacles National Park.
The smooth, wide trail "ascends a beautiful boulder-filled gorge" to reach the talus cave, according to HikesPeak.com. Trees and vegetation along the stream bottom provide a cool, shaded hike, and the boulders are popular with climbers.
The highlight of this hike is undoubtedly the cave itself! The NPS sometimes closes the cave to protect the bats that live here, but when it's open, you'll find a series of railings and steps that will aid your descent into the cave. Be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight—while "a few shafts of light slip through the boulder ceiling, other areas are pitch black," according to Hikes Peak. Bear Gulch Creek also runs through the cave, "tumbling over rocks and adding a rich sound to the dark passageway. Follow the trail up steps and across metal scaffolding to progress out of the talus cave and back into the daylight."
While you can choose to return to the car on the Bear Gulch Cave Trail, you can also turn this into a mellow lollipop loop by utilizing the Moses Spring Trail for the return trip.
Moderate
Hiking along trails with some uneven terrain and small hills. Small rocks and roots may be present.
2 m away
The highest peak in Pinnacles National Park, rising to a height of 3,306 feet above sea level.
Difficult Hiking
129 m away
Exciting trail along the jagged backbone of the Pinnacles, with steep stairs and drop-offs protected by metal rails.
Difficult Hiking
2.8 km away
A main attraction of Pinnacles National Park is the Balconies Cave––a cool passageway beneath giant boulders jumbled in a deep canyon.
Moderate Hiking
2.8 km away
This lollipop loop provides a little-hiked and quite technical approach to the High Peaks in Pinnacles National Park.
Severe Hiking
5 routes · Hiking
63 routes · Alpine Climbing · Hiking