Pinnacles National Monument 是離舊金山灣區大約兩到三個小時車程的National Monument，也是當地算是小熱門的健行的景點。Pinnacles NM這個公園有兩個入口，一在東邊，一在西邊，但二入口之間路是不通的。因此，決定要來的遊客，只能選擇停在其中一邊。
通常從灣區開下來的人，都是從沿US-101公路開下來，在Soledad轉CA-146，進西邊的路口。我們這一天，也是按照這樣的計畫開進來的。過Soledad之後的CA-146，就是完全的山路，要開個10 mile左右，倒也不難開。
Pinnacles National Monument 是約兩千萬年前因板塊運動而形成的火山。之後另外的太平洋板塊和北美板塊的運動，則將原本的Pinnacles位移了長達195 mile之遠，移到了今天的所在地。之所以叫Pinnacles，就是因為和旁邊平滑的小山丘比起來，這片山顯得格外突兀。
Pinnacles National Monument is located about a 2-3 hour drive south of the SF Bay Area. It is known for being a somewhat popular hiking spot, and mainly only being a hiking destination, as the surrounding views around are not particularly spectacular in any way.
There are two entrances into Pinnacles NM, one on the west and one on the east side, but there are no roads inside the park connecting the two entrances, so visitors really need to pick one of the two. Coming from the Bay Area, it was natural to take US-101 south directly to Soledad and then turning onto CA-146, arriving at the west entrance.
The reason for the name Pinnacles is because of the large discrepancy between the geological landscape of Pinnacles and its surrounding areas. Pinnacles was created by volcanic activity due to the movement of tectonic plates. After the volcanic activity subsided, another tectonic plate shift, that of the famous San Andreas fault, then transported the Pinnacles 195 miles North of its original location to where it lies today.
從西邊進來的停車場，就是trail的起點。八月的加州，非常炎熱，而且Pinnacles這邊基本上是沒什麼樹蔭的。
West entrance parking lot and trailhead. August in California is pretty hot, especially here in Pinnacles. To make matters worse, there isn't alot of shade here either.
(1) 要走到最高點High Peaks那兒
(2) 不要原路去，原路回。
這代表，我們要繞一大圈。我們起程的時候剛好下午一點多左右，因此決定先沿著平地繞到東邊去，回來的時候太陽漸漸要下山了剛好再登頂。其實當初好像也沒有先想那麼多，只是事後發現這樣的規劃的確是正確的。
Our hiking plans were simple:
(1) We were to hike all the way to the High Peaks
(2) We wanted to do a loop instead of taking the same path back.
This meant, we were to do a huge loop, planning to go all the way over to the the visitor center on the east side. Since we started our hike around 1pm in the day, we decided to take things easier first and avoid the blazing sun. Our plan was that, by the time we reached the Bear Gulch Visitor Center, the sun would be less intense, and we would be ready to hike to the High Peaks.
上路，沿著Balconies Trail走。
Start of the Balconies Trail.
Start of the Balconies Trail.
Balconies Trail走著，會遇到叉路，可以選擇要走Balconies Cave Trail，或是繞較遠的步道過去。最後兩條會再度會合。公園南邊另一個Bear Gulch Cave Trail因為蝙蝠這幾個月要哺乳他們的小孩，因此那個trail是關閉的。為了體驗一下 這邊的洞穴，大家二話不說就選擇走cave trail。
There are two caves trails in the park, the Balconies Cave Trail in the north and the Bear Gulch Cave Trail in the south. Unfortunately, during the summer months, the Bear Gulch Cave Trail is closed to visitors because of bats nurturing their pups. Eager to experience at least one of these caves, we went ahead to take on the Balconies Cave Trail.
這種洞穴叫做talus cave，其實就是山上剝落的石塊疊起來，中間的縫細而形成的山洞。
These talus caves are formed when falling pieces of big rock fragments pile up together and space is formed between the rocks.
洞穴雖然不長，但是裡面其實很漆黑的，所以一定要準備手電筒。準備好就前進了~~~
The caves are fairly short, but it can be dark inside, so visitors are told to prepare their own flashlights..
大塊的岩石經長期風化後，都很光滑，還是要小心地走。
After years of erosion, the rocks are very smooth, so take caution when walking inside~~
After years of erosion, the rocks are very smooth, so take caution when walking inside~~
出來囉~~ Emerging out of the caves.....
從Balconies Cave Trail 出來之後到Bear Gulch Visitor Center之間，是在樹林裡面走的。除了沒有什麼太大的高度落差以外，還可以不曬太陽，應該是整個trail裡面，最舒服，最好走的之一。
Between the exit of the cave trail to the Bear Gulch Visitor Center, the trail is relatively flat. On top of that, this is the part of the trail that has some good shade. There's not much view, but it's arguably the most comfortable part of the hike.
We made it to the Bear Gulch Visitor Center by around 4pm, where we covered 5 miles of trail. The sun was still very intense, and we were running low on our supply of water. Upon arriving the visitor center, the ranger immediately gave us the big scare by telling us that we needed more water or were in danger of dehydration. Taking their advice by buying a few bottles of water for each person, we actually ended up with more water than we needed. We looked kind of silly, traveling with all that water, but I suppose it's better safe than sorry. We jokingly told each other that the rangers would do anything to make money off us poor hikers.
其實難走的地方，是從這兒才開始。這兒的路開始上坡，而且坡度瞬間開始變陡。
Replenished, we started towards the High Peaks. From now on the trail becomes steep. 
走到一定的高度時，可看到附近的景色。憑良心說，這個風景很普通。因為夏天的關係，附近很多山，都是光禿禿的土黃色。
View from a higher altitude. The summer months here really don't make an interesting view in general. You do notice that the nearby hills are much flatter and smoother.
終於可以清楚看到Pinnacles這兒一根根石柱了，也是公園名字的由來。
Pinnacles rocks in view.
Pinnacles rocks in view.
Getting up close to the Pinnacles High Peaks.
View of the parking lot. Alot of ground to cover before getting back to the car.
有一座蓋在大石頭中間的橋
Bridge connecting rocks.
還有在岩石中挖出來的隧道。
And the tunnel. The trail is fittingly called, the Tunnel Trail.
從這兒開始，就是下坡路了。很快就可以回到車上了~~~
After the tunnel, it's pretty much downhill from here.
After the tunnel, it's pretty much downhill from here.
太陽要下山了。山中的野兔都跑出來了。
Nearing sunset, the wild hares are coming out.
Nearing sunset, the wild hares are coming out.
終於回來了。
We're back!
回頭一看，Pinnacles打著日落的陽光，石頭變成了較暗的紅色。走了好大一圈回來，頭一次覺得這個時辰這個角度望過去，甚是漂亮。
View looking back at the Pinnacles. With the setting sun's light striking on it, the Pinnacles, now glowing red, have not looked any prettier than right now.
View looking back at the Pinnacles. With the setting sun's light striking on it, the Pinnacles, now glowing red, have not looked any prettier than right now.
看見月亮已經升起。我們一共走了9 mile的路，離開時發現已經八點了，走了七個小時。挑戰Pinnacles成功，更加對自己健行的能力另眼看待。
The moon rising in the back ground. We have traversed through 9 miles of trail and took us a total of 7 hours. This was one of the longer hikes (the other being the Lassen hike), giving me the additional confidence booster that I was much tougher than I originally thought.
Official Website:
Pinnacles National Monument
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