Pinnacles National Park (San Francisco, Lancaster, Hollister: earthquake, camping, taxes)

[jimmykem]

Pinnacles National Monument has now officially become Pinnacles National Park, making it the 9th national park in California, joining Yosemite, Sequoia, Lassen Volcanic, Kings Canyon, Redwood, Channel Islands, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley. With that status change, California now has more national parks than any other state

Pinnacles Monument becomes national park - SFGate

California Now Has More 'National Parks' Than Any Other State | Briefs | SoCal Wanderer | KCET

[alexxiz]

I wonder what's the implications for camping and entrance fees....

[BeauCharles]

Its interesting enough - went day hiking there several times. Still, its kind of forgettable compared to the "real" national parks (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, etc...).

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

Its interesting enough - went day hiking there several times. Still, its kind of forgettable compared to the "real" national parks (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, etc...).

There are 59 National Parks, most of them have no particular scenic or natural merit, Pinnacles does. And.. If you are a rock climber there are well over 100 very fine climbing routes.

The only difference between a National Monument and a National Park is the term. Parks are created by Congress, Monuments are created by Presidential proclamation.

Pinnacles National Monument became a National Park solely because businessmen in nearby towns like Hollister felt it would get more visitation and hence more dollars spent if it was called a National Park.

[StandingLenticular]

Good for that beautiful patch of land! Although, I'd have thought the Big Sur Coast / Ventana Wilderness is more "National Park"-ish.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by StandingLenticular

Good for that beautiful patch of land! Although, I'd have thought the Big Sur Coast / Ventana Wilderness is more "National Park"-ish.

The Big Sur coast is primarily private land. The public land along the coast is limited to some FS land and State Parks land. Inland is the Los Padres Forest, inaccessible by motor vehicle, and is managed to preserve the resources, primarily watershed.

The Pinnacles are remarkable towers of rock, very cool, and remarkable for what isn't there. The Pinnacles are the remnant of a volcano that erupted around 22 million years ago, near Lancaster!

The San Andreas Fault has carried 2/3 s of that volcano 195 miles north. You can still see the 1/3 left behind near Lancaster. One day the Pinnacles will be alongside San Francisco.

In addition to all that, Pinnacles Park lies in a nearly intact 19th century landscape, little changed from Pre Euro Days.

The San Andreas Fault runs right through the park, if you follow it south it runs along side Parkfield, "The Earthquake Capital of the World" This section is overdue for a major rip. The fault is wired so heavily by geologists that they may have tied it down like the lilliputians did to Gulliver... no I am kidding you. Drive to Parkfield, spend the night in the old west style motel, eat in the grill, have a trip tip supper. You may share the log building with geologists from around the world, or the Hells, Angles, or some serious blue grass musicians.

Then take a series of narrow country roads north to Pinnacles. Pitch camp, and spend a couple days hiking. Helps if you have a snazzy little sports car, or a moto. Fall, winter, spring is the time to visit. Summers are just too danged hot.

If you wait long enough to make the trip, you can pick up my guide book to the interior coastal ranges, which I am in the process of writing.

[Bulldogdad]

You and Stienstra having some blunt collaboration on this guide book thingy.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by Bulldogdad

You and Stienstra having some blunt collaboration on this guide book thingy.

You have successfully stumped me, Stienstra?

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by .highnlite

You have successfully stumped me, Stienstra?

Tom Stienstra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have a few of his guide books.

the "blunt" thingy i'll let you figure out.

[.highnlite]

Got it, thanks. Still stumped on blunt though. My guide books are an excuse to wander around the dusty corners of the state and deduct my expenses. Between that and my excavation contracting and my non profit work i cut my taxes down to about zero. Being poor as church mice helps.

My books have been on hiking, Motorcycle/SUV trails, and currently horse specific trails. Limited demand, nearly insures a loss, which works for me. I wanted to finish the horse trails by April, but the mud is keeping out of the hills.

Back to Pinnacles. I have always enjoyed the place, great hikes, great climbing. A cool cave to hike through. The NPS took over a private campground adjacent, so for car/ RV camping it is a fine place.