Pinnacles National Park
Monday, March 25
Our first road trip of the year started well as we got out of San Francisco and all the way to Pinnacles National Park just ahead of the predicted rain. Here at Pinnacles the weather is beautiful. While we are getting the occasional rain shower, in between the sun comes out and it instantly warms up. We decided once we got here to extend the stay an extra day by claiming the remaining available reservation on our site so we can do a couple of hikes with rest in between.
The hills are richly green this spring. The continuing rains have transformed the hillsides with lush grasses, and the further south we go, the more wildflowers we are seeing. Wildlife seems so much more abundant than I have seen in many years.
We reached the monument and campground and were set-up in no time. Almost immediately, I noticed an acorn woodpecker clinging to a wooden power pole at our site. There were more. I counted at least 8 woodpeckers, all hanging out on a set of oaks across the road from our site. Closer inspection of the oaks revealed a small hole which seemed to be a nest. They would pop in and out of nest.
I set myself up in a position to observe them for a while. They kept flying to the power pole, and eventually I noticed there was another nesting hole in that pole. They had quite a time flying from tree to pole repeatedly. It seemed to be mating behavior going on, as they jumped on each other while perched.
Plump quail are about and are abundant as well. Several other bird varieties were also seen. Later, a coyote came trotting down the road next to us. I think we’ve seen more varieties of wildlife in one day here than we did in two months in the Pacific Northwest last fall. Amazing what millions of gallons of rain will do.
Later in the afternoon, we took a short leg-stretching walk around the valley floor. Wildflowers are what we came for, but here in the valley there are few to be seen right now. The peak bloom seems to be a couple of weeks off yet. It was still a very pleasant walk as we made our way down the trail.
I really liked how the fences contrast with the soft rolling hills.Tomorrow morning we will hike the High Peaks Trail.
Pinnacles – High Peaks Trail
Tuesday, March 26
The day promised intermittent rain showers and sun, so we brought along the usual rain gear just in case. The showers proved to be very light and sparse and really helped provide much appreciated coolness to the 1,500 ft. assent. We are taking the Condor Gulch trail to the High Peaks trail in hope of seeing Condors of course, but at least some wildflowers. We have not seen many in the valley.
It is an uphill trek all the way to the trail junction, but views of lush hillsides under damp skies kept us interested in the surroundings and not so much on the climb. The bare rock here is an orangish rust in color when not covered in the greens and browns of moss and lichen.
After about 300’ of climbing, the first “Indian Warrior” wildflowers appeared along the trail. I’d never seen this one before and was a little surprised at the name. It sort of has the look of Desert Paintbrush – formerly known as “Indian Paintbrush”, but both flower leaves are quite different. The patches expanded as we gained altitude.
We stopped for lunch at the trail junction, just before it starts climbing into the high peaks area. The bench-with-a-view was empty and made a great perch for us to look for the elusive Condor. One hiker we passed said he thought he’d seen one from this point, but there was nothing but Turkey Vultures to be seen now. 
After lunch, we scrambled up a spur trail looking for views, but what we found was a patch Shooting Star wildflowers overlooking a steep drop-off. A nice little spot.
The narrow rock scrambling part of High Peaks Trail was now beginning. It is largely carved right into the rock face, with foot-holds chiseled into natural seams in the rock. Heavy handrails are added in the particularly tight and steep areas. The trail wove in and out and around the many rock pinnacles. It was in this area many years ago we came upon six Condors just sitting on some surrounding rocks. No luck this time.
Once over the peaks area, the trail meanders down and down. Wildflower studded views pop in and out and rock formations became framed in greenery.
There were more patches of flowers found once we turned back onto the Condor Gulch trail for the hike back. Goldfield and California Poppies were seen at one elevation, while hiking down further we found more Shooting Stars.
Another thoroughly enjoyable hike. Later on, while we were sitting inside the RV, a little bird decided to attempt to fly though our closed window. A bad choice.
We are moving south soon to the Paso Robles area. Good things are happening in the area as the abundant rains are creating a wonderful show. My next post will be about that.
Shell Creek Road – Near Shandon, CA
Friday, March 29
Like nearly everyone it seems, we know about the super-bloom going on in southern California, and the outstanding bloom going on at the Carrizo Plains Monument, but about 60 miles north of there, the bloom is just getting going. A great place to visit this year is Shell Creek Road, near the town of Shandon, CA. It is a private road, but open to the public, and is a premier place to see wide fields of many varieties of wildflowers.
We found a somewhat overpriced KOA about 20 miles from the start of Shell Creek Road and plan to stay for a few days. A pinched nerve in my neck has left me pretty much unable to move my heard around much. Driving is really uncomfortable, so staying here a few nights makes better sense. Now if only their WiFi worked.
Out on the road the next morning, we found a landscape of rolling hills shrouded in fog. Quickly as we drove, the sun proceded to melt it off. Two coyotes crossed the road in front of us, as a pack of cyclists came toward us on the other side of the road. Otherwise few people or cars were seen. We stopped a couple of times, as we do, to make pictures. 
It was clear we had arrived at Shell Creek Road when we saw a group of at least 10 cars at the turn-off. As if a light switch went on, suddenly the surrounding field was awash in shades of yellows and golds – and cows.
The land this road cuts through is mostly ranch land and we are able to drive it at their discretion. Today it was just cows grazing. People for the most part were staying along the perimeter of the flower fields, or walking the few paths that cut through them. That decorum seems to evaporate on the weekends as more and more people want to get that selfie surrounded in flowers.
That first field of flowers was just a taste of what was to come. Our progress down the road was very slow as we would drive up 100 yards, stop for a half hour, and repeat and repeat, etc. 
Most of what we saw was in these first fields were Tidy Tips, Owls Clover, and perhaps Desert Dandelion and what looked to be the masses of tiny Goldfield flowers. Together they created some great designs.
The wildflowers were all pretty great, but I found the trees to be the thing that kept grabbing my attention. Their shapes, sometimes graceful, sometimes jagged, worked well as a focal point to the flowers. They give the eye something else to do besides wander through a sea of yellow.
Just around another bend, the Baby Blue Eyes began showing up. Sparse at first, or in little clumps, they soon grew to ocean size as well.
The first significant California Poppies, though not really opened this morning yet, soon added to the mix. Looking around to the hillsides, I could see where poppies were also just getting started. It is the valley bottom that is blooming now, but in a week or so, it will be the hills awash in color. Still just a little early for them.
Come to think of it, some of the fields did seem to resemble bodies of shimmering water. Having recently seen Monet’s water lilies, the effect is reminiscent.
Well all that fun had to end sometime, as the fields of flowers evolved into spreading vineyards crawling down the valley from the other direction. None of these wine plantings were here 5 years ago. I can see a time when the entire valley will be wine, while the steep hills around continue to sprout color in the spring. That’ll sure sell some wine.
The end of Shell Creek Road did not mean the end of the flowers. Where Shell ended, Gillis Canyon Road began. At the start there is a slightly ominous sign declaring the road has no outlet and there is no pavement. It seemed less traveled and perfect for us. It really is just an access road for several ranches and rises up into the hills for a few miles before ending.
Gillis had a little less to offer in terms of wildflowers, but it was no less beautiful in it’s green-ness. The rolling hills in some spots are reminiscent of the Palouse in eastern Washington. Fiddleback flowers were predominant all along the first 2 miles. 
Higher up on some of the hills, large lupine bushes were fully in bloom.
Toward the end of the main road, it branches to go both high and low. We went high to look for a lunch spot with a view. We found one and spent a pleasant time enjoying the passing clouds over the hillsides. We finished our day retracing out route back to the main road and decided to make our way home. My sore neck was reaching a sharper edge of discomfort, and I wanted to stop moving for awhile.
We will be heading to Carrizo Plains National Monument on Sunday to set ourselves up for an early weekday visit. Camping at Carrizo is BLM and first come first served with no services. It is supposed to be in the 80’s early in the week, so we’ve decided to try out a regional park with full hook-ups. It is 60 miles from Carrizo, but in-between there is a pretty great drive/photograph day to be had. We will do both Carrizo and the scenic drive this week.
Marking Our Place 