Old Pinnacles Trail,
Pinnacles National Park
The Old Pinnacles Trail is one of four trails that connect the east side of Pinnacles National Park with the west side. The east end of the trail begins at the Old Pinnacles Parking Lot. The west end of the trail joins with the Balconies Cliffs Trail. During the summer months and school breaks, the parking lot can fill quickly. Car parking is limited. The park service provides a shuttle bus that runs from the Pinnacles Campground. Check the National Park Service website for the schedule.
Elevation
The Old Pinnacles Trail has a maximum elevation of 1,201 ft., a minimum elevation of 1,040 ft. and an elevation range of 161 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 2.1 mi | 1,040 ft | 1,201 ft | 161 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 51 min | 12.8 | 153 ft | 16 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 48 min | 1.3 | 16 ft | 153 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Old Pinnacles Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Mount Johnson, CA
- North Topo Map: Bickmore Canyon, CA
- Northeast Topo Map: San Benito, CA
- West Topo Map: Soledad, CA
- Topo Map: North Chalone Peak, CA
- East Topo Map: Topo Valley, CA
- Southwest Topo Map: Paraiso Springs, CA
- South Topo Map: Greenfield, CA
- Southeast Topo Map: Pinalito Canyon, CA
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Old Pinnacles Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Old Pinnacles Trail?
The length of the trail is 2.1 miles (3.3 km) or 4,482 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Old Pinnacles Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 51 minutes in one direction and in 48 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.