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they were known to inhabit naturally, including both Grand Canyon and Pinnacles National parks.
The condors routinely fly from those areas to the Pacific coast and back, sometimes nonstop. For those lucky enough to spot one or a pair, they are an impressive sight to behold. Weighing 20 pounds or more, with wingspans up to 9 1⁄2 feet, they can fly at 55 mph and soar to altitudes of 15,000 feet. Their ability to spot, procure and survive on the scraps left behind by less hardy species is no less impressive. The abundance of aerial wildlife, in general and the condors, in particular, within PNP is the reason that VFR aeronautical charts for the area warn pilots to remain 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL) or higher when overflying the park. This is slightly higher than the standard 2,000 feet AGL that pilots are required to remain above wildlife areas, national parks and other protected lands.
Gulches and Peaks
Touring within PNP doesn’t require a great deal of pre- planning for simple day trips. However, understanding the basic geography of the area is critical to making the most of your time. The most important element to understand is that, unlike many national parks, there is no scenic drive that traverses the park. It has two entrances (west and east), but the roads that bring you
to each do not connect within the park. If driving from one entrance to the other, one must circumnavigate the park and allow a couple of hours’ time to do so. Of course, there is plenty of scenic driving to be had on each side of the park, but the most dramatic vistas and experiences must be accessed on foot, via the many trails that emit from each side of the park and meet within its heartlands.
We had flown into the South Bay area (SJC, specifically) and driven to the Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea areas for casual sightseeing. Nonetheless, I elected to drive into the park via the east entrance, rather than the slightly closer west gate. I did so because I’d read good things about the picturesque drive down Highway 25 and Pinnacles Parkway, which proved worthy of the accolades. Additionally, the (East) Pinnacles Visitors Center is far more active and offers a free weekend shuttle to the Bear Gulch region (which gets you deeper into the park while alleviating parking concerns). This proved perfect for us, given that we only had a single day available.
The trail system within PNP allows hikers to take long perimeter hikes of 10 miles or more around the central park sections where the most noteworthy natural wonders are clustered. However, more casual walkers/ sightseers can choose a variety of shorter hikes that
Cessna Piston Twins
FEBRUARY 2023
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 7