Pinnacles National Park
Sycamore Canyon to Bear Gulch Trail
📍 Pinnacles National Park is so close to home and it’s been really amazing there lately so I’ve been visiting a lot. I’ll try to keep this blog post short and skip the history of the Pinnacles and stick to the “Dirt” on this trail, the Sycamore Canyon to Bear Gulch to Rim Trail Loop I did two weeks ago. If you’re interested in the history of Pinnacles National Park you can visit my last blog post, Pinnacles National Park-Juniper Canyon to High Peaks Trail Loop or you can visit the Pinnacles National Park website for all the details.
⛰️ I spend most of my time hiking the west side of Pinnacles NP as it’s closer to home. This trip I decided to hike the east side of the park, which is about an hour and forty five minute drive as opposed to the usual forty five minute drive…but it was worth it! Remember, you can’t drive through this park to get from one side to the other, so around I went.
My plan was to hike from Bear Gulch parking area through the caves, to Bear Gulch Reservoir, hit the Rim Trail and head back to the parking area. I was hoping for a shorter hike to offset the log ride home. Like many National Parks, “the early bird gets the worm”. Bear Gulch parking area is very small and can accommodate roughly 30 vehicles. I was notified at the entrance kiosk on the east side of the park that Bear Gulch parking area is full and parking would have to be at Peak View parking area, a little over a mile walk to Bear Gulch parking area. I pulled into Peak View and there was plenty of parking, Bear Gulch was kind of a mess with drivers parked waiting for someone to leave.
🚻🚮💧🅿️. Both Peak View and Bear Gulch parking areas have restrooms, water, trash receptacles and parking areas. Pinnacles can get VERY hot so plan accordingly. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen, sunshade (hats, light shirts, sunglasses, etc). Trail snacks are always a good idea. Don’t forget a trash bag to pack your trash. Please take only photos and memories and leave only footsteps. Don’t forget your flashlight or headlamp if you’re planning to hike the caves. Speaking of the caves, they may have a river running through them. Waterproof shoes or water shoes and a change of dry socks is recommended.
I would rate this trail as a “Blue Hike” or moderately difficult. If you’re fortunate to get arrive early and score a parking spot at Bear Gulch parking area, I’d rate this trail as a “Green Hike” or easy. I saw many families with children and adults of all ages on most of the trail from Bear Gulch to Rim Trail.
🥾The hike from Peak View to Bear Gulch is about 1.3 miles and 300’ of elevation gain. You’ll hike up the Sycamore Canyon Trail, a well travelled dirt single track trail along Bear Creek, in the spring. It starts as a peaceful hike along Chalone Creek. Poppies are really blooming as well as other wildflowers. The lizards and horned toads scoot across the trail under your steps as if they are playing chicken. I did not see any snakes but this is snake country so beware. You’ll cross a couple bridges and begin the climb up Sycamore Canyon along Bear Gulch Trail. It was especially green and vibrant this time of year. Bear Creek was flowing down the canyon creating small waterfalls and tranquil river noise. I saw very few people on this trail. Soon you’ll arrive at Bear Gulch Day Use Area.
Bear Gulch Day Use Area you’ll find a small visitors center, parking areas, restrooms, water stations and a few picnic tables. The trailhead begins just up from the visitors center. I recommend following the Moses Spring Trail, left at the “Y”, towards Bear Gulch Reservoir. This trail will take you through a canyon with steep red boulders on either side of the canyon. Rock climbers may be practicing their skills along some of the cliffs. You can hear Bear Creek running through the canyon below you. The trail continues into the canyon. Soon you’ll walk through a tunnel and then down through some tight spots as the trail narrows.
You’ll come upon a sign warning of wet trails, and the need for a headlamp as you’re about to enter the caves. Waterproof or water shoes are a good idea and so is a headlamp or flashlight. The cave does get pretty dark in a few places but the trail is hard to miss. Stay along the handrails and you’ll be fine. The caves are a series of openings through ancient rockfalls that have sealed the top of the canyon. Bear Creek runs through the caves and in winter and spring you can hear it rushing by. Light does stream in during the afternoon creating amazing sights of what’s inside the caves. Follow the steps and stairs, handrails, signs and bridges through and around the caves. Its a cool experience.
Towards the end of the caves you’ll ascend a long narrow rock stairway. If you’re lucky enough to be there when Bear Gulch Reservoir is full you’ll see the waterfall as it passes through the rock dam and down into the cave. Once you’ve climbed the stairs out of the caves you’ll find yourself at the dam of Bear Creek Reservoir. You can hike around the reservoirs south east side to a few more high peaks that have become favorites for climbers. You cannot hike all the way around the reservoir and you cannot swim in the reservoir.
Make your way back to the dam. You can choose to go back down into the caves or ascend the path to the Rim Trail. The Rim trail meanders among the giant rocks and cliffs above Bear Creek. You’ll again find many climbing spots, wildflowers, more hikers, all types of birds and reptiles along this trail. This part of the Rim Trail is about .75 miles and you’ll gain about 300’ elevation above Bear Gulch Day Use Area. The Rim Trail loops back to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. Pay close attention to the signs or you may end up hiking a few extra miles to High Peaks.
It’s not long before you’re back at Bear Gulch Day Use Area. You can rest in the shade here and get some water before hiking back down Sycamore Canyon to Peak View parking area. As you can see on the trail map above, the total distance for this trail is just over 5 miles with about a total of 750’ elevation gain. It should take a bout 2.5 hours to hike this trail. Stop at the general store near the campgrounds for some cold drinks and snacks before you get on the road for the long ride home.
The east side of the Pinnacles is a great place to start your exploration of this National Park. It is not a very big national park and most of it can be hiked from either of these trail heads in a day. Start early, come prepared for heat and enjoy the Pinnacles and all it has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.
I’ll feature one more blog post about the Pinnacles Balconies Caves area in an upcoming post. If you like this blog be sure to check out more “Dirt” on Our Trails and give me a follow @ur_radventures on IG.
