[conspire] Public hike: Pinnacles National Park, morning, Thu. Mar. 23, 2023

[Rick Moen]

Access:  I'll be driving to the Pinnacles East Entrance, and then hiking
one of the park's most famous trails.  Care to ride along and join me?

Pinnacles National Park (since 2013; formerly Pinnacles National
Monument) is the closest national park to us -- 99 miles, south of
Hollister, named for the striking rock formations that are the eroded
remains of an extinct volcano.  It's stunningly beautiful any time of
the year, but this is the best weather of the year for Pinnacles, and we
may be blessed with "superbloom" wildflower beauty.  (That is also why
I'm doing this on a weekday, to avoid overcrowding and full parking
lots.)

I'll be driving from my house, 1105 Altschul Ave. @ Gordon Ave., West
Menlo Park, starting 8:30am _sharp_.  Upon arrival at the park, I expect
we'll do the iconic hike 1.5 miles to Bear Gulch Cave and Bear Gulch
Reservoir, and then back.  We'll likely return to West Menlo,
mid-afternoon.  (Bring a sack lunch.)

There's room in my little econobox car for three passengers, but call me
at 650-283-7902 no later than the day before, so I expect you.  And I'll
be leaving on schedule.  (If this outing proves popular, we can caravan
in multiple cars.)

Pinnacles, the USA's newest national park, is especially famous among
hikers, rock-climbers, and bird-watchers.  California condors nest
there.

Recommended for:  General folks.  No dogs or bicycles, sorry (park rules
for the trails).  I'm a codger; this won't be strenuous.

Entrance fee:  $30 per vehicle.

Restrooms:  Yes.

Hours:  7:30am to 8pm

Altitude change:  275 feet

Average grade:  3.5%

Weather:  National Weather Service predicts rain will have cleared by
Wednesday.  Obviously, this may change.

Park Web site:  https://www.nps.gov/pinn/