Escapees May-June 2024

skpstops

John Caparella takes in the vastness of Bear Gulch Cave at Pinaccles National Park.

of birders arrived mid-afternoon to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants through binoculars and long-lensed cameras from the Bear Gulch picnic area on the east side of the park. Hikers can get a closer look by climbing a one-mile, 1,000-ft elevation gain, moderately-rated trail to a viewpoint of Hawkins Peak where the condors circle, though binoculars will still be necessary. Those capable of a more strenuous hike can continue an additional three-quarters of a mile for an even closer look. In addition to the condors, Pinnacles National Park has 30 miles of hiking trails, with many of them inter secting to create any length of loop. The Civilian Conser vation Corps (CCC) built these trails, cave tunnels, the Bear Gulch Dam and the day use areas on the east side in the 1930s that still stand today for visitors to enjoy. Bear Gulch Cave, a talus cave created when boulders formed a roof over a narrow canyon, make any hiker feel small among the giant rocks, then big again when having to maneuver through a few tight passageways. The CCC did a tremendous job creating an infrastruc ture of paths, stairways and bridges so visitors can experience the cave. Bring a fl ashlight as it can get very dark in the cave. Being so close to the San Andres fault, we prayed for no earthquakes while spelunking among the massive boulders! Other trails overlook beautiful Bear Gulch Reservoir and the incredible peaks that give the park its name. There are also rock-climbing opportunities at Pinna cles, that is mostly volcanic breccia and tuff which is weaker compared to the granite and basalt of many other climbing areas. As it can get unbearably hot in the summer at Pinna cles National Park, the best (and busiest) time to visit is mid-February through June as the weather is comfort able and wild fl owers are glorious. Mid- to late fall is a great time to visit with fewer crowds. The park has two entrances: east (off two-lane highway 25) and west (off major highway 101), but due to the terrain, there is no road connecting the two. We chose the east side as we were told this area has the most to explore. For camping, Pinnacles has 134 sites (some with electric) on the east side for almost any size RV, but there is no cell service in the park. We stayed at San Benito Thousand Trails, about 45 minutes north, which is an expansive, quiet, dark night sky park with lots of wildlife and is about 30 minutes from the town of Hollister for shopping. Article and photo by Tina Caparella #152563

Before my husband and I began our full-time RV life, in 2018, we had only visited a handful of national parks in our 25 years of mar riage. We have now ventured to 31 parks in the lower 48 states, each one unique and amazing. One park that had eluded us, even as California natives, was Pinnacles National Park.We fi nally checked it o ff the list last fall, and it did not disappoint! E stablished as a national monument in 1908, thanks to a grassroots preservation campaign, led by a local homesteader, Pinnacles gained national park status in 2013. The park protects over 26,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness, albeit minuscule in comparison to other parks, such as Yosem ite’s 747,956 acres. The draw to this out-of-the-way jewel is incredible rock spires, ramparts and majestic craggy peaks that look nothing like the coastal foothills that dominate the landscape in the central part of the Golden State. The active San Andreas Fault, responsible for many of California’s most notable earthquakes, especially in San Francisco to the north, and an ancient volcanic fi eld have not only created a hikers and rock climbers playground, but also a critical habitat for one of the largest birds in North America, which almost became extinct, the California condor. Adult condors weigh about 20 pounds, have a wing span of 9-1/2 feet, and can soar on thermal updrafts at speeds of 55 mph and altitudes of 15,000 feet! Due to loss of habitat, shootings and poisoning from lead bullets usually lodged in animal carcasses that the birds feed on, the condor was listed as an endangered species in 1967. By 1982, total population dwindled to just 22 birds, all in California, leading to an aggressive captive breeding program in the 1980s and 90s that increased the raptor’s chances for survival. These successful programs continue today. The US National Park Service reports that more than 310 wild free- fl ying condors reside in the western states of California, Arizona and Utah, with about 40 calling Baja, Mexico, home. Pinnacles National Park’s jagged high peaks create an inviting and safe habitat for a fl ock of about 90 condors who also migrate to nearby coastal locations, such as Big Sur. The day we visited the park in November, a group

GUIDELINES FOR SKP STOPS SUBMISSIONS Material for each issue will be selected based on location and the migration of seasonal travel. Submissions of 300 to 500 words are ideal. Due to limited space, submissions will be edited. High-resolution photos are included on a space-avail able basis. Include the name of the photographer and anyone in the photo. HELPFUL HINTS Share unique and o ff -the-beaten-path RV travel destinations. Keep submissions brief and include only pertinent information. Include the best season to visit the destination. Include information on RV parking and accessibility. Send submissions to Escapees Magazine, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351, or to editor@escapees.com.

31

May/June 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine