MEAL PLAN
Sunday Lunch - Turkey Sandwich
Sunday Dinner - Cast Iron Tuscan Pasta
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Monday Breakfast - Overnight Oats
Monday Lunch - Ham Sandwich
Monday Dinner - Sausages on Buns Sausages
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Tuesday Breakfast - Overnight Oats
Sunday Lunch - Turkey Sandwich
Sunday Dinner - Cast Iron Tuscan Pasta
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Monday Breakfast - Overnight Oats
Monday Lunch - Ham Sandwich
Monday Dinner - Sausages on Buns Sausages
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Tuesday Breakfast - Overnight Oats
DAY 1
Drive to Pinnacles
Sunday, May 21, 2023
10:00 A.M. / Leave for Pinnacles. It's about a three hour drive, so you'll arrive on time for a 1p. check in.
1:30 P.M. / Drop things at campsite, but you don't need to unpack yet. Eat lunch if you're hungry, then first hike! Hike Balconies Cave Trail (2.6 miles, 380 feet elevation, takes you to Balconies Cave which is one of two talus caves in the park (Bear Gulch is the other one). I say do this first since it'll be hot out. Wear sandals as your feet could get wet. Bring headlamps (required). People suggest going clockwise. There is also scrambling in the cave. Also, bats!? This is the one with the waterfall (I think!). It'll take maybe an hour round trip.
3:00 P.M. / Back to the campsite to regroup, set up the tent. Check out the pool if you're interested.
5:30 P.M. / Hike Bear Gulch Cave Trail (1.5 miles, 275 feet elevation, takes you to through caves, canyons, creeks, boardwalks and ends at the reservoir.* It'll take about an hour again, I'd be interested in doing this one around sunset for photos. Bring headlamps again. Maybe bring tripod.
*A split in the trail offers two parallel routes to reach the reservoir. Bear Gulch Cave Trail climbs through a talus cave, while Moses Spring Trail takes a scenic but easier course along the rim of the gorge. The trails reunite and arrive at Bear Gulch Reservoir, about a mile from the start. So you could do the caves to get there, and do the rim to get back.
6:45 P.M. / Shower. Get the fire started. Make dinner!
8:15 P.M. / Sunset at 8:15p., dark by 9p. Lights out.
10:00 A.M. / Leave for Pinnacles. It's about a three hour drive, so you'll arrive on time for a 1p. check in.
1:30 P.M. / Drop things at campsite, but you don't need to unpack yet. Eat lunch if you're hungry, then first hike! Hike Balconies Cave Trail (2.6 miles, 380 feet elevation, takes you to Balconies Cave which is one of two talus caves in the park (Bear Gulch is the other one). I say do this first since it'll be hot out. Wear sandals as your feet could get wet. Bring headlamps (required). People suggest going clockwise. There is also scrambling in the cave. Also, bats!? This is the one with the waterfall (I think!). It'll take maybe an hour round trip.
3:00 P.M. / Back to the campsite to regroup, set up the tent. Check out the pool if you're interested.
5:30 P.M. / Hike Bear Gulch Cave Trail (1.5 miles, 275 feet elevation, takes you to through caves, canyons, creeks, boardwalks and ends at the reservoir.* It'll take about an hour again, I'd be interested in doing this one around sunset for photos. Bring headlamps again. Maybe bring tripod.
*A split in the trail offers two parallel routes to reach the reservoir. Bear Gulch Cave Trail climbs through a talus cave, while Moses Spring Trail takes a scenic but easier course along the rim of the gorge. The trails reunite and arrive at Bear Gulch Reservoir, about a mile from the start. So you could do the caves to get there, and do the rim to get back.
6:45 P.M. / Shower. Get the fire started. Make dinner!
8:15 P.M. / Sunset at 8:15p., dark by 9p. Lights out.
DAY 2
Hike High Peaks Trail
Monday, May 23, 2023
5:30 A.M. / Sunrise photography somewhere. Plan it.
6:30 A.M. / Breakfast! Coffee!
7:30 A.M. / Hike High Peaks Trail (6.4 miles, 1,800 feet elevation, hard). Recommended going counter clockwise from Peaks View area. Area is hotter than the rest of the park, so bring water. Will take four to five hours. Look for condors! The best time to see them is morning and evening, so if you want to push the hike earlier to get the best chance, that would be good. Will also be less hot if you start early. Bring trail snacks.
12:30 P.M. / Back to camp for lunch.
1:30 P.M. / Swim in the pool. Relax. Shower. Take pictures. Whatever.
5:45 P.M. / Heat up dinner. Eat. Make s'mores. Clean up.
7:00 P.M. / If you haven't seen condors, you can hike to Condor Gulch Overlook (2 miles, 500 feet) around dusk. It's one of the most popular scenic points in the park and has sweeping views, and maybe you'll see some condors! Bring your camera and tripod. If you start at 7p., you'll reach the end by 7:30p. You can stay a little, then you'll be back by 8p. Dark by 8:30p.
8:30 P.M. / Dark!
5:30 A.M. / Sunrise photography somewhere. Plan it.
6:30 A.M. / Breakfast! Coffee!
7:30 A.M. / Hike High Peaks Trail (6.4 miles, 1,800 feet elevation, hard). Recommended going counter clockwise from Peaks View area. Area is hotter than the rest of the park, so bring water. Will take four to five hours. Look for condors! The best time to see them is morning and evening, so if you want to push the hike earlier to get the best chance, that would be good. Will also be less hot if you start early. Bring trail snacks.
12:30 P.M. / Back to camp for lunch.
1:30 P.M. / Swim in the pool. Relax. Shower. Take pictures. Whatever.
5:45 P.M. / Heat up dinner. Eat. Make s'mores. Clean up.
7:00 P.M. / If you haven't seen condors, you can hike to Condor Gulch Overlook (2 miles, 500 feet) around dusk. It's one of the most popular scenic points in the park and has sweeping views, and maybe you'll see some condors! Bring your camera and tripod. If you start at 7p., you'll reach the end by 7:30p. You can stay a little, then you'll be back by 8p. Dark by 8:30p.
8:30 P.M. / Dark!
DAY 3
Drive Home
Tuesday, May 24, 2023
6:00 A.M. / Breakfast, then drive home!
6:00 A.M. / Breakfast, then drive home!