Brian Smith's Photos

Pinnacles National Park and Los Olivos

Back to Pinnacles, this time for the Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peaks loop — the proper circuit rather than the shorter walks I’ve done here before. An early start, up and round through the morning, then south to Los Olivos in the afternoon.

Bear Gulch and the High Peaks

Out not long after the light arrived, with the rock walls still in shade.

A lone pine tree grows from the top of a rugged, reddish-brown rock formation under a cloudy sky.
Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peak loop.
A large flock of Band-tailed Pigeons flies in a scattered formation across a pale blue sky.
Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peak loop.

The trail climbs steadily out of the gulch, and the views back down open up quickly.

A rugged canyon at Pinnacles National Park in California, with a steep granite cliff on the left and a jumble of boulders and sparse trees filling the valley.
Pinnacles NP
A steep, rocky canyon in Pinnacles National Park with reddish cliffs, scattered pines, and green shrubs filling the valley.
Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peak loop.
A still pool of water reflects the surrounding granite boulders and distant rock spires in a dry, scrub-covered valley.
Pinnacles NP
Still water pools between granite boulders at Pinnacles National Park, mirroring the jagged rock spires and shrub-covered hills under a cloudy sky.
Pinnacles NP
Black and white view of a still pool of water reflecting rugged rock formations and dense shrubs in Pinnacles National Park.
Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peak loop.
Tall, jagged rock spires rise from a dry, scrubby hillside dotted with small trees under a blue sky with white clouds.
Pinnacles NP

Up on the rim proper, where the High Peaks section threads between the spires.

Still water in a rocky canyon at Pinnacles National Park reflects the surrounding cliffs, boulders, and green shrubs.
Pinnacles NP
A climber in a blue helmet sits on a rocky ledge with a coiled purple rope, looking out over a steep, rugged canyon.
Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peak loop.
A vast granite boulder sits on a hillside dotted with scrub and trees, overlooking a deep canyon in Pinnacles National Park.
Pinnacles NP
Massive reddish granite boulders with dark weathering streaks and small green shrubs growing in their crevices form a rugged cliff face in Pinnacles National Park.
Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peak loop.

Then the long way round and back down, the light much harder by mid-morning.

A large tan rock formation rises above a hillside of green shrubs, with blue mountain ranges stretching across the background under a cloudy sky.
Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch, Rim and High Peak loop.
A large tan rock formation overlooks a valley of scrubby bushes and cacti at Pinnacles National Park in California.
Pinnacles NP
A large, weathered granite boulder rises above a dirt trail, surrounded by juniper and pine trees in the arid landscape of Pinnacles National Park.
Pinnacles NP
A tall pine tree stands in the foreground, framing a view of a rugged, reddish-orange rock outcropping on a hillside in Pinnacles National Park.
Pinnacles NP
A massive reddish-brown rock formation rises above dry, tangled brush, with small green shrubs growing from its crevices under a cloudy sky.
Pinnacles NP

Fess Parker, Los Olivos

South in the afternoon and into the Santa Ynez Valley — a few frames at the winery before calling it a day.

A white and brown longhorn cow with large curved horns grazes on a grassy hillside with trees in the background.
Fezz Parker Winery Los Olivos
Rows of green grapevines stretch across a vineyard at sunset, with distant mountains and a large tree under a golden, cloud-filled sky.
Fezz Parker Winery Los Olivos
A black and white silhouette of a utility pole and trees on a hillside, with two birds perched on overhead wires against a cloudy sky.
Fezz Parker Winery Los Olivos
A white and brown longhorn cow with large curved horns grazes on a grassy hillside with a forested slope behind it.
Fezz Parker Winery Los Olivos

Two very different halves to a day, which is becoming a theme on this trip.

Brian Smith

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