Balconies and High Peaks Loop

This loop is a wonderful way to see the various environments that can be found in Pinnacles National Park. The trail leaves the Old Pinnacle Trailhead Parking area and follows the Old Pinnacles Trail through a sandy area before breaking off to the right. The trail crosses a bridge and enters a wooded area that is more damp than the rest of the park. Mosses and ferns can be seen in this area, and turkeys and deer can be seen late in the day in this area. The trail passes the 7 mile North Wilderness Trail, that breaks off to the right. The trail follows the West Fork of Chalone Creek, and there are a couple of places in this area where you may have to do a rock hop if there has been a lot of rain lately. However, most of the year, the creeks are dry and pose no issues. At roughly 2 miles, you have a choice to go through the Balconies Cave if it is open (roughly 0.4 miles) or take a right and climb the Balconies Cliff Trail (0.8 miles). If the cave is open and you have a flashlight, you can work your way through the cave and emerge on the other side. The trail winds its way through the rocks that have fallen from the cliffs above and emerges at the Chaparral Trailhead Parking Area. There is a restroom here and picnic area, so refresh and catch a bite to eat before starting your climb up Juniper Canyon Trail to the High Peaks. The Juniper Canyon Trail works its way through a shaded canyon before emerging on a set of switchbacks that are more exposed and representative of the chaparral environment that is common in the area. After climbing a set of switchbacks, passing the Tunnel Trail at roughly 1.2 miles, and finishing up another set of switchbacks, you emerge at the High Peaks/Juniper Canyon junction. Here, there is a bench where you can sit and get a snack, as well as a pit toilet if you need it. Be on the look for California Condors, as well as turkey vultures, swifts, and crows, that frequent the High Peaks. After taking a break, the High Peaks Trail climbs uphill to the left before leveling out and the High Peaks come into view. After enjoying the view, the trail descends for a short distance until it narrows and climbs around a rock face, with a metal rail helps keep you on the trail. The trail climbs up a set of stairs that are cut into the rock before cutting to the right, and climbing steeply up a set of steps with a rail that is cut into the rock face that climbs to the High Peaks. At the High Peaks, take in the view of the surrounding countryside, where you can see the Condor Gulch Trail below you and the San Andreas Fault off in the distance. Be on the look for California Condors, especially in the afternoon when there are thermals that they can soar on. They often soar above and below you, as well as perching on the rocks above you. It's amazing to see this endangered animal soaring around you and interacting with each other for all to see. After enjoying the view and hopefully watching the condors, continue ahead and hike across a wood bridge where a rock face is a few feet above you. If you are tall, you'll need to duck through this area. Descend two sets of stairs that are cut into the rock face, using the rail to help you. The trail climbs up the backside of the High Peaks, passes the Tunnel Trail junction before starting to descend toward the Bench Trail. The trail passes the Condor Gulch Trail 0.6 miles past the Tunnel Trail junction, and continues to descend, more steeply now. The trail works its way through an area of trees and meadows before rounding a corner and dropping into a canyon that descends steeply to the Bench Trail. Take a left and follow the narrow, flat, dirt trail above the Chalone Creek for roughly 1 mile before crossing a bridge and following the Old Pinnacles Trail straight ahead back to the parking area. After roughly 9 miles, you arrive back at your car having experienced a great deal of what Pinnacle NP has to offer in terms of flora, fauna, and landscapes.