|
Pinnacles National Monument Hike Paicines, California
Photos of Hike & Haikus |
|
Preface: Pinnacles National Monument is a protected mountainous area located
east of central California's Salinas Valley. The Monument's namesakes are the eroded
leftovers of half of an extinct volcano that erupted 23 million years ago.
On Sunday, June 14, 2009, Hendrick, Connie, and I went to the
Pinnacles National Monument, Paicines, CA for a whole day hike. We came here
in August 2001 with another friend, but never made it to the top of the
Balconies Cliffs Trail. The temperature was 102oF,
and the Park Ranger said we were the only ones out that day, and warned
us of getting a heat stroke. So today we tried again going up the Condor
Gulch Trail and High Peaks Trail. We came down on the Bench Trail and
Bear Gulch Trail. There were many scenic sights and breathtaking views.
The hike took about six hours.
(Map)
| ||
.jpg)
|
Sunday, June 14, 1:02 pm Pinnacles National Monument Paicines, California East Entrance from Route 146 After two hours drive we arrive at the entrance of the Pinnacles. | |
|
 | |
.jpg)
|
Sunday, June 14, 2:00 pm Pinnacles: Condor Gulch Trail Found the right hiking trail after crossing wooden bridge Condor Gulch Trail to the High Peaks— will we see some condors in flight? | |
|
 | |
|
Sunday, June 14, 2:15 pm Pinnacles: Condor Gulch Trail Scenic view of trail ahead and trees in the valley Not too hot or cold— weather just right for hike up to the Pinnacles. | |
|
||
|
Sunday, June 14, 2:21 pm Pinnacles: Condor Gulch Trail High Peaks with trees in between Scenic sight of High Peaks with trees in between— Breathe in this lovely view! | |
|
| |
|
Sunday, June 14, 2:25 pm Pinnacles: Condor Gulch Trail Scenic view of Globular Rocks Globular rocks made smooth over eons of time by the wind and rain. | |
|
 | |
|
Sunday, June 14, 2:55 pm Pinnacles: Condor Gulch Trail Cloud that looks like a comet A comet cloud sweeps across the blue sky— direct transpermia. | |
|
 | |
|
Sunday, June 14, 3:20 pm Pinnacles: Condor Gulch Trail Closer View of Pinnacle Peaks Jagged rocks of High Peaks from volcano that erupted million of years ago. | |
|
 | |
|
Sunday, June 14, 3:45 pm Pinnacles: Condor Gulch Trail View of Valley & Entrance Parking Lot How high we've climbed up to High Peaks and see Valley entrance where we began. | |
|
 | |
|
Sunday, June 14, 5:12 pm Pinnacles: High Peaks Trail Mountain Ridge resembles Platonic Lambda ("Timaeus" 35b) Double and Triple series woven together to create the Soul. | |
|
 | |
|
Sunday, June 14, 5:25 pm Pinnacles: High Peaks Trail While my friends hike ahead, I stay behind to learn from Cubic Rock Cubic Rock— Teach me what you've learned from the Master? "Absolutely Nothing!" | |
|
 | |
|
Sunday, June 14, 6:10 pm Pinnacles: Bench Trail Blue sage growing out from rocks tells me Cubic Rock is a wise sage He's the Tarot's Fool whose Empty Mind is knowledge of the Absolute. | |
|
 | |
.jpg)
|
Sunday, June 14, 6:17 pm Pinnacles: Bench Trail Tree at the end of wooden bridge over loose rocks and pine cones This bridge crosses no waters nor highways but brings new insights and light. | |
| Top of Page
| Nature Walks 2009
| Nature Walks 2008
| Haikus 2009
| Monet Haikus |
| Poems 2009
| Poems 2008
| Basho on Poetry
| Poems Index
| Poetry News |
| CPITS
| Poetry & Power
| Poetry Resources
| Books
| A-Z Portals
| Home |
| © Peter Y. Chou,
Wisdom Portal P.O. Box 390707, Mountain View, CA 94039 email:  (6-23-2009) |
 |