Join Nabeel Al-Shamma on a wildflower hike at Pinnacles National Park. Pinnacles protects beautiful rock formations, cliffs and canyons, and it hosts a profusion of wildflowers. We hope to see shooting stars, phacelia, goldfields, paintbrush, golden yarrow, cobwebby thistle, dudleya, buckbrush and maybe even blazing star.

We’ll head out from the Bear Gulch Day Use Area and go up the High Peaks Trail. We’ll take our time going up the steep part. At the top we’ll have lunch and enjoy the views. Afterwards we’ll return back to the start.

This is a long and strenuous day. The hike will be 4 miles in length but with 1500 ft of elevation change. Plus, it can take a good two hours or more to drive there.

Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Hiking poles are recommended. Bring snacks, a sack lunch and liquids for the day. Dress in layers. Consider binoculars for condor sightings. Heavy rain cancels. There may be an optional non-CNPS hike afterwards that will be focused on adding a few miles vs. observing.

Directions: Meet at the Bear Gulch Parking Area on the east side of the Park. If the lot is full, we’ll park at the Peaks View Parking Area. Note that phones will not work at the trailhead. Please carpool, as parking is tight.

National Park Entrance Fee: $30/car (or bring your pass if you have one).

RSVP is required to join the hike. No drop-ins please and space is limited. The hike is open to CNPS members only. Please ensure your CNPS membership is current. To become a member, visit www.cnps.org/membership. To RSVP on Meetup, please visit our Chapter’s Meetup group, here: www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/. We open the RSVPs one week before the event. Find your event within the group and tap/click the “Attend” button to reserve your spot. For more information contact Nabeel Al-Shamma at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..