11:eleven Photography

That about sums up the journey we took this past weekend at Pinnacles National Park. It was a quick trip. We headed down to beautiful and charming Soledad after work on a Friday. This way, we would wake up near the park Saturday morning. The journey down was, aside from the good company my wife provides, uneventful. The motel we stayed at was… never mind.

Early to rise, early to hike! That’s what grandpa always said. Or would have if he had been a hiker. Or woke up early. Anyways, in less than 30 minutes there we were. We had snacks, we had water, and we had the spirit of adventure! Off we go.

I want to share a conversation with you. My wife and I had it before the whole trip. She said she wanted to go to Pinnacles and had found a five mile hike. I said, “Five means eight”. She told me it doesn’t. Still, I know better. I have been bamboozled before under these exact conditions. 2023 it was the Dipsea trail near Stinson beach. 2024 I fell for it again. And now we embark on another five mile hike I’m sure will be eight.

I understood the assignment. But, my body was not ready for the betrayal I was about to unleash upon it. We hiked around the mountain. We checked out the caves under the mountain. We hike further around the mountain. We hiked up the mountain. And Up. And Up. Now, I’m not an expert, but I feel like it was probably around 1,000 feet in elevation gain. We literally started at the bottom, and now we were here. Standing among the rock formations I earlier gazed up at from the parking lot.

The top was not the end of the adventure though. As what goes up, must come down. Once we cleared the summit, we found a spot. From there, we see the parking lot. Our car was patiently waiting for us to return. Down, down, down, we went. Eventually finding our way back to the welcoming car. Finishing the last of my water as we approached the car, feeling grateful and accomplished.

I know you’re probably wondering, was it five miles? No. Was it eight? No. The grand total was ten and a half miles. It’s been a couple days and every fiber below my belly button is still tired and sore. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Just not today. Below are some more images from Pinnacles, enjoy!