Thanks for another adventure. I think the GET was still my favorite ever. That could just be because I love the blackened chicken salad at Yo Mama’s :) Beautiful vegetation.
I really enjoyed your video. Loved your commentary. I've was at Pinnacles back in 1985 and 1990 when it was still a national monument. There used to be a drive in camp on the west end which is now a picnic area. My friends and I parked at the east end campground and backpacked to the west end campground. I had to come up late so I did the high peak trail solo at night. It was terrifying. There is so much greenery now compared to 30 years ago. Each time I went it was hot and dry and no water. So awesome you got to see two condors close up. Their recovery is truly a success story. Growing up in Ojai we would see them occasionally but it was rare. Miners lettuce is one of my favorite wild edibles. It always seems to grow next to poison oak. Looking forward to your next adventure.
Awesome video. I discovered Pinnacles when I was about 18 (49 years ago). It was a national monument with a nice campground, much more rugged trails: no composting toilet, no trash can, and if the caves flash flooded when you were in them, good luck. No steel gates to keep you out. I don't remember a tunnel either. There were rumors of condors, but I never saw one and in the 5 or 6 times I visited. I started going with friends and they also got hooked. Also, there was some public land nearby and it was amazing. I'm remembering a dirt road that was at least 20 miles long. You could go by car or ATV. Maybe it was BLM. Not sure. All of it was a big surprise so close to the CA central valley. Thank you for the condor shots. I'm glad that restoration worked out so well. It was a huge project and difficult to pull off.
Wow, what a fun suprise it was back in the day. It is still a fun little oasis tucked among the ranchland. The roads are still narrow and windy but they are now paved.
You definitely picked the right time of year. All that water flowing! Good job! Your condor shots were really good to see as well. Do you know what your elevation gain for the hike was?
9:50 If you look to the upper right, there's a pair of birds soaring. I'm guessing they're common turkey vultures. I would expect condors to be noticeably larger.
The vultures get pretty big too and circle the same air drafts as the condors. It is hard to tell which is which at a distance without binoculars. I was thrilled they decided to circle so close on the High Peaks Trail.
