Brian Smith's Photos

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.

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

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

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

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.

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