Pinnacles National Monument, CA
DatesApr 22nd - Apr 28th 2012 Service ProjectRemoving invasive weeds, trail maintenance Free DaysExploring, hiking, photography, wildlife viewing AccommodationsCar and tent camping in designated campground Trip RatingStrenuous : Bending, kneeling, digging, raking, shoveling LeadersZig Sondelski Equipment |
Established in 1908 to preserve the incongruent and beautiful rock formations of its namesake, Pinnacles National Monument encompasses about 26,000 acres east of central California's Salinas Valley in the southern portion of the Gabilan Mountains, one of a series of parallel northwest-trending ridges and valleys that make up the Central Coast Range. The giant San Andreas Fault split an ancient volcano and the Pacific Plate crept north, carrying the Pinnacles. The work of water and wind on these erodible volcanic rocks has formed the unusual rock structures seen today. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. The rolling chaparral and dramatic rock faces of Pinnacles National Monument inspire loyalty in visitors from picnickers to rock-climbers, and from stargazers to cave explorers, and of course to volunteers. Pinnacles is visually stunning, as anyone who has seen the smooth orb of the moon glide from behind the crags of the High Peaks can attest, or who has watched the flashing black and white wings of acorn woodpeckers as they tuck acorns into the thick bark of gray pines. This striking beauty is attributable, in part, to the Monument’s geologic formations, showcase chaparral habitat, finely intergraded ecosystems, and protected native plant and animal diversity. Pinnacles National Monument is a release site for the endangered California condor, and the birds can sometimes be seen from hiking trails throughout the park. Our service project is both assisting Pinnacle's vegetation team by removing invasive, non-native plants and working with their trails team to provide regular trail maintenance on popular hiking trails. Spring is the ideal time to be in Pinnacles, with wildflowers and wildlife all reawakening. We'll camp in a designated campsite in tents or our vehicles and walk or make short daily drives to worksites in the backcountry. Check out more photos from last year's Pinnacles project in our gallery.
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