talus caves,
a labyrinth of chambers and crevices covered by an accumulation of talus.
They were formed by the erosion of the Pinnacles Formation.
This kind of caves is very rare.
| Location: |
Paicines, CA. Bear Gulch Caves: 1.1km from the Bear Gulch visitor center, east side. Balconies Caves: 1.1km from the Chaparral Ranger station, west side. |
| Open: | -Mar daily 7:30-19, Apr- daily 7:30-21. |
| Fee: | 7 day ticket per car $7. |
| Classification: | talus caves |
| Light: | none, bring electric torch |
| Dimension: | |
| Guided tours: | |
| Bibliography: | |
| Address: | Superintendent, Pinnacles National Monument, 5000 Highway 146, Paicines, CA 95043, Tel: +1-831-389-4485. |
| Last update: | $Date: 2008/07/01 20:31:13 $ |
| 1908 | the area becam a National Monument. |
The Pinnacles-Formation is the rest of an ancient volcano. It grew about 320km south and then was shifted north along the San-Andreas-Fault.
Two of the caves are developed with trails for self guided tours. You should definitely bring appropriate clothing and light to visit them.
Both caves are so called
talus caves,
a labyrinth of chambers and crevices covered by an accumulation of talus.
They were formed by the erosion of the Pinnacles Formation.
This kind of caves is very rare.
Unfortunately Bear Gulch Caves are closed at the moment, to protect a colony of Townsend's Big-eared Bats. They can only be visited by a virtual tour, see links below. One highlight of the caves is the Bear Creek forming subterranean cascades in the caves. Unfortunately part of the trail through the caves uses the bed of Bear Creek, so Wellingtons may be a good idea.
The second caves, Balconies Caves, are open except during periods of high water.
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