Pinnacles National Park is located inland from California’s Central Coast. Peggy and I followed a narrow, curvy, one lane road east of the small town of Soledad to get there, holding our breath each time we met another vehicle— especially if it was as large as our truck. While the location was a slight detour from our coastal focus, we are totally incapable of skipping a National Park.
Pinnacles National Park has a twin near the city of Santa Clarita some 200 miles to the south, the Neenach Volcanic Formation. Born of fiery rhyolite lava flows some 23 million years ago, they were ripped apart in their youth by the notorious San Andreas Fault. Pinnacles has been making its way north ever since: Inch by inch and earthquake by earthquake.
Noted for its personality-plus pinnacles, talus tunnels, and wild flowers, the region was declared a National Monument by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. Legislation by Congressman Sam Far from the Monterey/Carmel area in 2012 led to its being established as a national park. (Sam, like me, was an early Peace Corps Volunteer. For a brief time, we worked together in the Western United States as Peace Corps Recruiters.)
The Pinnacles are something of a poster-child for Plate Tectonics. While the existence of the plates and their impact on geology and geography is a well-known and accepted theory today, the history of the concept is relatively recent. I remember sitting in a geology class I took at UC Berkeley in 1964 when the professor came in almost glowing. “I have something to share,” he declared, “please understand that it is still a theory. I’m late because I was just in a meeting where substantial evidence was given that the surface of the world is made up of giant plates that separate, crash into each other, move along each other’s edges.”
The close relationship between the rocks and minerals of Pinnacles and the Neenach Volcanic Formation helped to show that the Pacific Plate and North America Plate have been moving past each other via the San Andreas Fault for 20 some million years. Pt. Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco, where we are now, also sits on the San Andreas Fault and is another example of the movement. In fact, our campground is sitting on top of the fault. Our fervent hope is that it stays in place, at least for another week!
Our hike along Juniper Canyon Trail into the Park provided this view of the pinnacles. Not surprisingly, rock climbers get very excited about the challenges involved in climbing to the tops of the peaks. Here’s our trail. A small creek burbled along beside the trail.In places, the tiny creek was covered with huge boulders that had rolled down the mountain, possibly during earthquakes. They formed small tunnels known as talus caves. In other sections of the park, the talus caves can be miles long and people hike through them. This one was short enough I could stand on one end and photograph Peggy on the other. The embedded rocks in the rhyolite are breccia.Peggy’s perspective showed a colorful pool.What she couldn’t see was this magnificent bunch of shooting stars just beyond the pool. I’ve been admiring shooting stars for decades. I’ve never seen this many on a single stem. Our trip up the canyon provided numerous opportunities for Peggy and me to take close ups of the pinnacles.Each one was differentAnd had its own personality.Peggy called these “the fingers.”Can you spot the duck?Peggy became quite excited about her new camera’s ability to catch close-ups of lizards. This one was quite colorful. I believe it is one of several variations of a western fence lizard. We entered the Park from the West where this photo was taken. There is also an eastern entrance.This oak tree caught my attention.Wildflowers, like the shooting stars I featured above, were everywhere. Here are two more I found particularly charming. This is purple owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta), a species of Indian paint brush…And purple Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), said to resemble fairytale pagodas.We were on the lookout for condors since they have been successfully reintroduced in Pinnacles National Park. Maybe…We hope you’ve enjoyed our introduction to the Pinnacles. If you are looking for a National Park experience without the crowds, this small park is definitely worth a visit. Next up: Pt. Reyes National Seashore, one of our all-time favorite parks.
26 thoughts on “The Peripatetic Pinnacles National Park: It Wanders… Pacific Coast Series 4”
In 1964, I too was in earth sciences class when the instructor lectured on the new plate tectonics theory. Looking at a map of the coastlines of South America and Africa, I couldn’t understand how anyone could believe otherwise.
That’s fun, John. Not much puzzling about how the pieces fit together, eh? I can see scientists scratching their heads over how they got there, however. Once they figured it out, it certainly answers a lot of questions about geology!
Hi Curt, I especially appreciate this post. A couple years ago, Kellen and Cameron went on a tour of California Parks as a graduation gift to themselves for successfully completing their OSU program. A highlight for them was Pinnacles, and I had never heard of it before then. This post is my first look and it’s really neat. Plus I love all stuff volcanic. I used to wear a sweatshirt that said STOP PLATE TECTONICS. It was a joke. 🙂 I, too, have never seen a shooting star with so many on a single stem. Shooting Stars were a favourite of my mother’s, so I always keep an eye out for them.
Love the sweatshirt, Crystal. 😳 Wasn’t that shooting star magnificent. They were one of the first flowers to come out on our property in Oregon. Lots of photos. Glad to hear that Ellen and Cameron enjoyed Pinnacles. I could have spent more time there exploring!
Peggy laughed. Lizards usually make great subjects. In addition to their looks, they are usually willing to remain still and stare right back at you when you take their photo! Putting Pinnacles on your list would definitely be worth it.
We have a few National Parks yet to visit, and Pinnacles is one of them. I was glad to read your post. I don’t know when I first became aware of plate tectonics – a long time ago – but did not realize the theory was so recent. Having read many a park sign over the years, I bought a National Geographic DVD course on geology. It reminded me of college – a bit dry – but it really was informative and worth the time.
I had a couple of geology courses in college, Ray, and fell in love with the subject. Have you ever purchased any of the state series on geology you see along the roads you are traveling over? They are great at letting you know what you are seeing along the way.
What a beautiful park, Curt! Love all the photos! And hope you had fun or are having fun in Pt. Reyes! My post today is from my visit there on Friday with a few photos. 🙂
I know, so close, Curt! Well, if you’re ever in the area again, let me know because my husband and I would love to meet you and Peggy for coffee or lunch. 🙂
It’s mutual, Lauren. And will do.
Looks like you had a great time exploring there. Really interesting rock formations.
Alison
I had no idea plate tectonics was so recently adopted as a theory. Thinking about it, I realized that I graduated from high school in 1964, so would have missed it there, and once I got to college I was done with science until the past couple of decades.
The flowers are gorgeous. I recognized Castilleja, of course, and thought: “But those are supposed to be Indian paintbrush!” Well, yes — and that’s just what it was; an unfamiliar and very beautiful species.
I love the photo of the oak tree. There’s just something about a tree like that in a pasture or prairie. I can’t resist them. There’s a town in Texas called Lone Oak, east of Dallas/Ft. Worth. Sure enough: “The first settlers arrived in the area in the late 1850s. By the eve of the Civil War a community had developed and was named for an impressive oak tree that stood alone on the grass-covered prairie.”
Plate tectonics has totally change our concept of the world’s geology, Linda. Last week I was walking on the earthquake trail at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. There is a section I have blogged about before where I stood in one place and Peggy 18 feet away to have our photo taken. She was on the continental plate and I was on the Pacific Ocean plate. It showed how much the land had moved during the 1906 earthquake. I’ll post the photo when I cover the earthquake trail.
Agree totally on the Castilleja.
We both have a weakness for oak and other trees that stand alone by themselves whether in a farmer’s field or a National Park. Grin.
What a lovely place to explore and just take in the scenery. I think we’ve talked before about how fascinating rocks are. They have such dramatic histories. I always want to know how they formed. I’m glad you also took the time to enjoy the little creatures and flowers too. :-)
I even bought yet another book on geology when I was in Pt. Reyes Station last week, D. But then I also bought a book on walking meditation and another on tide pools…
Wandering through Time and Place 
In 1964, I too was in earth sciences class when the instructor lectured on the new plate tectonics theory. Looking at a map of the coastlines of South America and Africa, I couldn’t understand how anyone could believe otherwise.
That’s fun, John. Not much puzzling about how the pieces fit together, eh? I can see scientists scratching their heads over how they got there, however. Once they figured it out, it certainly answers a lot of questions about geology!
Hi Curt, I especially appreciate this post. A couple years ago, Kellen and Cameron went on a tour of California Parks as a graduation gift to themselves for successfully completing their OSU program. A highlight for them was Pinnacles, and I had never heard of it before then. This post is my first look and it’s really neat. Plus I love all stuff volcanic. I used to wear a sweatshirt that said STOP PLATE TECTONICS. It was a joke. 🙂 I, too, have never seen a shooting star with so many on a single stem. Shooting Stars were a favourite of my mother’s, so I always keep an eye out for them.
Love the sweatshirt, Crystal. 😳 Wasn’t that shooting star magnificent. They were one of the first flowers to come out on our property in Oregon. Lots of photos. Glad to hear that Ellen and Cameron enjoyed Pinnacles. I could have spent more time there exploring!
On the list for the next time I’m in California. Tell Peggy I’m partial to photographing lizards too.
Peggy laughed. Lizards usually make great subjects. In addition to their looks, they are usually willing to remain still and stare right back at you when you take their photo! Putting Pinnacles on your list would definitely be worth it.
We have a few National Parks yet to visit, and Pinnacles is one of them. I was glad to read your post. I don’t know when I first became aware of plate tectonics – a long time ago – but did not realize the theory was so recent. Having read many a park sign over the years, I bought a National Geographic DVD course on geology. It reminded me of college – a bit dry – but it really was informative and worth the time.
I had a couple of geology courses in college, Ray, and fell in love with the subject. Have you ever purchased any of the state series on geology you see along the roads you are traveling over? They are great at letting you know what you are seeing along the way.
I did not know about them. I will look for them the next time we do something like this.
This certainly looks like a beautiful park to explore. I too cannot pass up an opportunity to to photograph lizards.🙂
Lizards are photogenic! 😳
So amazing Curt! I’ve never seen a shooting star flower. Loved this post.
Thanks, Sylvia! I’ve been enjoying shooting stars all my life, but never one like that!
What a beautiful park, Curt! Love all the photos! And hope you had fun or are having fun in Pt. Reyes! My post today is from my visit there on Friday with a few photos. 🙂
Fun to think we were wandering around at Pt. Reyes Station on the same day, Lauren. I just jumped back to your post and commented on it.
I know, so close, Curt! Well, if you’re ever in the area again, let me know because my husband and I would love to meet you and Peggy for coffee or lunch. 🙂
It’s mutual, Lauren. And will do.
Looks like you had a great time exploring there. Really interesting rock formations.
Alison
Yeah, we’ve never met a National park we didn’t like, Alison. Grin.
Me neither 😀
I had no idea plate tectonics was so recently adopted as a theory. Thinking about it, I realized that I graduated from high school in 1964, so would have missed it there, and once I got to college I was done with science until the past couple of decades.
The flowers are gorgeous. I recognized Castilleja, of course, and thought: “But those are supposed to be Indian paintbrush!” Well, yes — and that’s just what it was; an unfamiliar and very beautiful species.
I love the photo of the oak tree. There’s just something about a tree like that in a pasture or prairie. I can’t resist them. There’s a town in Texas called Lone Oak, east of Dallas/Ft. Worth. Sure enough: “The first settlers arrived in the area in the late 1850s. By the eve of the Civil War a community had developed and was named for an impressive oak tree that stood alone on the grass-covered prairie.”
Plate tectonics has totally change our concept of the world’s geology, Linda. Last week I was walking on the earthquake trail at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. There is a section I have blogged about before where I stood in one place and Peggy 18 feet away to have our photo taken. She was on the continental plate and I was on the Pacific Ocean plate. It showed how much the land had moved during the 1906 earthquake. I’ll post the photo when I cover the earthquake trail.
Agree totally on the Castilleja.
We both have a weakness for oak and other trees that stand alone by themselves whether in a farmer’s field or a National Park. Grin.
What a lovely place to explore and just take in the scenery. I think we’ve talked before about how fascinating rocks are. They have such dramatic histories. I always want to know how they formed. I’m glad you also took the time to enjoy the little creatures and flowers too. :-)
I even bought yet another book on geology when I was in Pt. Reyes Station last week, D. But then I also bought a book on walking meditation and another on tide pools…
Awesome. I look forward to your new insights into the natural world as always.
Elk are supposed to be regular visitors to our campground in the Redwoods, D. Speaking of the natural world. We can’t wait. Grin.