Hike North Chalone and South Chalone Peaks Pinnacles National Park, CA

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North Chalone and South Chalone Peaks GPX Track

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This route starts out by following the Bear Gulch Trail, which leads through a lush section within Pinnacels National Park, the trail weaving under boulders, along a cliff, and through a tunnel. Unfortunately, the Bear Gulch Caves section of the trail was closed to protect bats during my visit, but the alternate route was gorgeous nonetheless. The trail ends at a reservoir after climbing a narrow ladder. The North Chalone Peak continues from here, heading south on the east side of the reservoir. The trail mostly follows the ridgeline, passing two cattle gates and only partially following a dirt road, to North Chalone Peak, where a lookout tower sits. There are some nice views toward the High Peaks to the north along the way. I decided to also head over to South Chalone Peak, the junction easy to miss (it's just after the second cattle guard). The trail is far less traveled but was easy enough to follow, and despite the wet grass, I thought this section was the prettiest part of the hike. It wraps around North Chalone Peak's west side before meeting back up with the ridgeline and down to the North Chalone and South Chalone Saddle. I opted to take a minor detour to bag Middle Chalone Peak, but it's just a blip and not particularly interesting.

From the saddle, the trail wraps around to South Chalone Peak's east face and seemed to continue, missing the summit completely. I left the trail and followed a mostly clear of brush, steep slope for a couple hundred feet to the true summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

North Chalone Peak

3304 ft

1544 rise

Middle Chalone Peak

2904 ft

24 rise

South Chalone Peak

3269 ft

629 rise

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Starting along the Bear Gulch Trail.

Gorgeous mossy rocks along the Bear Gulch Trail.

A tunnel left over from before the NPS cared about conservation. It's a cute little feature though.

I was loving the greenery here before reaching the reservoir.

Looking down into Bear Gulch.

Bear Gulch Caves (closed on my visit) visible on the left. The trail hugs the cliff on the right.

Looking back the way I came.

A fun, narrow staircase leading up to the reservoir.

Reservoir. The trail leads left around it.

Looking back across the reservoir.

Heading up the North Chalone Peak Trail.

Looking back along the North Chalone Peak Trail. There were some pretty rock outcroppings along the way, but the majority of the interesting stuff ended at the reservoir.

Some switchbacks up the North Chalone Peak Trail.

North Chalone Peak visible in the distance.

Looking back the way I came.

High Peaks visible in the distance.

The trail wraps around the ridge north of North Chalone Peak.

View of North Chalone and South Chalone Peaks.

Trail follows a fence until it hits a dirt road ahead, passing a cattle guard. The road heads south.

The second cattle guard.

Lookout tower on North Chalone Peak.

North Chalone summit, view north.

View south toward South Chalone Peak. Middle Chalone Peak visible on the right.

Back at the second cattle guard, where the South Chalone Peak Trail starts.

Lightly overgrown South Chalone Peak Trail.

South Chalone Peak visible on the left.

Looking back toward North Chalone Peak.

Headed up to South Chalone Peak. The trail wraps around its northern slope.

Looking back toward North Chalone Peak.

I left the trail and headed up the steep slope.

South Chalone Peak true summit view. Meh.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!