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Pinnacles National Monument
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Pinnacles after Dark
Discover the monument in a"new light." Three-hour, two-mile, ranger-led night hikes provide opportunities to learn more about nocturnal wildlife, hear stories about historical characters who once visited these areas, enjoy the night skies, or just listen to the natural quiet. The monument is fortunate to enjoy relatively pristine night skies, free from urban light pollution, and typically offers great views of both stars and planets.
Wildflowers in Bloom
Padre's shooting stars begin to bloom in February and are a sign that spring is just around the corner. The best months to see wildflowers at Pinnacles National Monument are March, April, and May. These are also the busiest months, but experiencing such an explosion of color can be worth braving the crowds. Spy blue fiesta flowers, California buttercups, Indian paintbrush, sticky monkeyflowers, purple nightshade, and more.
Climb On!
Pinnacles National Monument is a challenging area for rock climbing, offering a wide diversity of routes and grades. Much of the rock is loose volcanic breccia, so if you are used to granite, climb with caution. On the Bear Gulch Side of the monument, Tourist Trap and the popular Discovery Wall lie just 10-15 minutes up the trail. Take on Tourist Trap's moderate routes, such as Rat Race -- a 5.7 with an intimidating roof. Discovery Wall offers good sport routes and easy-to-hard traditional climbs.
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