Old Pinnacles Trail

The trailhead is accessed at the north end of a parking lot where Highway 146 ends on the east side of the park. Follow the trail north around a slight bend, where a bridge crossing over the dry creek bed will come into view. Across this bridge begins the Bench Trail. Don't cross this bridge. Just before reaching the bridge, turn north to stay on the Old Pinnacles Trail. Follow this flat, moderate trail as it snakes along next to West Fork Chalone Creek. The trail slowly turns west, then southwest before terminating at the junction with Balconies Cliffs Trails and Balconies Cave Trail in and area called the Balconies. Along the route, the trail makes several creek crossings. Although West Fork Chalone Creek is mostly dry, some of these crossings are wet. The first crossing is over a large bridge while all the others will require hopping on rocks or walking around where possible. The water is never more than ankle deep.