Pinnacles National Park
Balconies Caves
📍I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Pinnacles National Park is a special place. If you’re interested in learning more about other hikes I’ve featured here click this link to see Juniper Canyon Loop to High Peaks Trail and this link to see Sycamore Canyon to Bear Gulch Caves. Two great hikes to add to this one.
The Balconies Caves hikes can be combined with the two other hikes I featured and can all be done in one day. For this blog post I entered the park on the west side (Soledad/Monterey County side) and parked at the Chaparral parking area. There is the usual entrance fee associated with national parks that can be paid at the kiosk or the West Pinnacles Visitors Welcome Center. A short drive will take you to the trailhead at the Chaparral parking area. The Chaparral parking area is a supported trailhead meaning there are restrooms, water, trash receptacles and picnic tables, as well as the trailhead to a few of the parks most notable hikes.
⛰️The Balconies Caves is a fairly easy trail. It’s nearly 3.5 miles and has an elevation gain of about 350’. I recommend hiking this trail in a clockwise direction from the Chaparral parking area. This will allow you to finish at the caves, what I believe to be the best part of this hike.
The trail is an easily walkable mostly dirt single track until you get to the caves. The caves can be narrow at times, dark so bring a headlamp or flashlight (and follow the white arrows for navigation) but are worth the walk through. Expect some water, especially if hiking during the winter or spring. Good waterproof hiking shoes or water shoes with a change of socks may be beneficial. Pinnacles can get very hot during the summer and fall months. Although not a long trail, pack plenty of water and trail snacks.
🥾 As mentioned above, this is a fairly short trail at about 3.5 miles and the elevation gain is minimal at about 350’. This is a good hike for the whole family.
Starting at the Chaparral parking area follow the signs to the trailhead. You’ll meander down a well travelled dirt path towards the large rocky cliffs of the Balconies and Machete Ridge. It makes for a great view. You may also notice wildflowers blooming along the trail and in the meadows as you cross a few bridges over seasonal streams before get to the rocks.
A short descent will take you into some of the large rocks Pinnacles is know for. The rocks are perfect for rock climbing enthusiasts and you’ll notice many rock climbing areas on this trail. Explore the areas around the rocks, through a few caves and along the trails. If you’re there during the winter or spring you may find a hidden seasonal waterfall. Continue along the trail taking in the sights of Machete Ridge and the Balconies.
Soon you’ll come to a “Y” in the trail. I recommend staying left and hiking up the trail towards the Balconies Cliffs. This trail is a loop trail and, if followed, will loop through the caves and you’ll end up at this location. The trail winds uphill and around the geology that makes Pinnacles NP famous. As you rise in elevation you’ll gain views of the massive Machete Ridge, the High Peaks and the large boulders that create the caves. If you’re lucky you may see the California Condor soaring above you in and out of the updrafts along the cliffs. You’re descent back to the canyon bottom comes quickly.
Once you hit the canyon bottom the Old Pinnacles Trail will branch left. Stay right, towards the large boulders. The trail looks like it disappears in the rocks. Look for steps cut into the rocks and follow those into a narrow canyon. Again, depending on the time of year you may follow an active river into the caves or it may be a small stream. Either way, follow the water upstream.
You’ll know you're headed in the right direction when you see the steel gate to the Balconies caves. There are two gates placed on either side of the caves. These gates are used to keep visitors (us) out of the caves during the mating season for the bats that inhabit the caves. If the door is open you are invited to walk through the caves. If the door is closed you must retrace your steps to return to the parking area.
Enter the caves, change your shoes, if you choose, and get out your lights out. The trail changes into a rock staircase, kinda. You’ll have to keep an eye out for white arrows painted on the rocks. They are there to help guide the way. After a short dark section, the light comes through the cracks between the rocks making travel through the caves much easier. Be sure to look up and around. Don’t miss the famous hanging rock, a very large boulder squeezed between two rock walls that hangs just out of reach over the trail. A few more short climbs up down and around more boulders and you’ll exit the caves.
During the winter and spring I find this to be one of the most beautiful sections of this trail. The moss that clings to the rocks along the river is holding a lot of water. It’s thick, vibrant green and full of life. Many of the large rocks in this area are covered with the moss making this area along the trail look emerald green. It’s an amazing sight!
You may notice familiar sights as you hike back to the main trail you hiked in on. A simple hike back through the rocks up the trail to the parking lot awaits. Take your time as you meander back up the trail and get a different view of the sights Pinnacles has to offer.
You’ll likely run into several people hiking the trails in this area, especially as the park gets busier. Please remember to pack your trash (or someone elses), take only pictures and memories and leave only footsteps. All of our National Parks are very special places and are gaining popularity and some are on the verge of over or mis-use. Please help care for them and protect them.
That’ll do it for my posts from the Pinnacles. If you enjoyed these posts please give me a follow @ur_radventures on IG and check back for more “Dirt” On Our Trails as I write about more hikes from a locals perspective.
