So Much to See and Do In Pinnacles National Park

Established as a National Monument in 1908, In 2013 Obama signed into legislation and the park's name and specification was changed to Pinnacles National Park. This park is Southeast of San Jose and is the 9th unit of National Parks in the state of California.

I really enjoyed camping here. I booked online for the perfect spot, some of the sites are in complete sunlight which can make it miserable if it's the season for sweltering heat. The website says July and August but I've been here in April and it was Hot! Check out this little beauty, it's a website that provides images of all the campsites at Pinnacles, that way you can be sure to get a site in the shade. To stay cool you can go for a swim at the park's pool, its free for campers.

The park is host to wildlife which included bats, condors, deer, frogs, and Quail. Our early morning hike up to Condor Gulch Trail hike paid off, at about 7:00 AM on our way down the trail we saw about 15 Condors circling a rock formation. The flight of the Condor is like the flight of a kite, gliding on the wind and dropping in and out of air currents. The bat caves are yet another highlight of Pinnacles, around sunset we headed out to Bear Gulch Cave and  made our way through the caves to the other side just in time to watch some bats exiting through the closed area of the caves.  

Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs in Western Nevada

We are driving down Highway listening to some tunes that match the desert landscape and keeping our eye out for a small sign. The sign says Mineral Gold Ridge, we make a quick turn and make our way down a 7-mile dusty road. A beautiful western Nevada day, we find the site empty except for a water truck filling up at the other end of the lake. An observation of lake reveals a school of common Goldfish, dozens of orange and blue dragonflies buzz overhead as the wind rustles the nearby reeds. A group of ducks has made the warm lake their home. The main hot spring water is diverted into a small cement pool.

The hot springs are called Dyer / Fish Lake Valley Hot Well and are located off NV264 in the town of Dyer. This man-made hot springs pool is 7x7 and 3.5 foot and the water is heated to 105 degrees. You can also wade into the lake which is heated by the geothermal water.

Owned and maintained by Esmeralda County the park is open to the public for free camping and swimming. The county has installed a pit toilet and BBQ’s grills. Recommended by many websites sites for RV’ers; there’s a lot of room to spread out. Try a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds and be warned of the possibility of overflowing trash cans from the weekend. Be sure to pack out your trash.

If your heading towards Yosemite; check out our friends’ recommendation: Whoa Nellie Deli. We hear they make some great sandwiches.

Backpacking Through The Narrows

Hiking the Narrows Top/ Down Overnight is one of those trips that is special and takes preparation and planning. A 16 mile hike with beautiful scenery, the trail weaves in and out of the water through slot canyons.

Reserve a Camping Spot

You need to reserve a camping spot usually about 3 months ahead of time. You will pay for your permit when you pick it up at the visitors center.

Reserve A Shuttle

Be sure to book a shuttle ahead of time, there are two different shuttle times up to the top of the trail with the Zion Adventure Company. For me the earlier the better, if your a slow hiker or at one of the camps further down the trail then take the 6am shuttle. You will park your car at the outfitters and then get it the next day.

Packing

A overnight backpacking trip from top down I packed my stove, tent. sleeping pad, sleeping bag, clothes, hiking stick (for anchoring yourself in the water) flashlight, food, and dry sacks to keep items dry.

Where To Get Last Minute Gear Rentals

After getting our permit we checking into our hotel and headed to Zion Adventure Company to get dry suits and water socks. (the weather was good both days so I didn't use my dry suit and it felt confining). However I ended using the water socks along with my Keen Water Shoes.

Pick Up Your Permit

We got to the Kolob Visitors Center an hour before closing to get our permit (check the hours; this area is on Mountain Standard Time). You'll need to buy a wag bag at Kolob or get one ahead of time. The ranger is sure to explain all the risks once you get there but be sure you know ahead of time. (you can also pick up your permit at the main visitors center).

The Hike

The first day took an exhausting 11 hours to complete 11 miles to get to camp #7. We stopped to take lots of photographs along the way and for a long lunch making it to camp just before sunset. Day two was much easier even though we had to swim across at one point, the last 5 miles took us about 7 hours.

Challenging and worth it, I'm glad I finally made this long awaited trip. The final challenge is ending your day packed into a shuttle with tourist, finally getting your car and stopping for local brews and pizza.

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