Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Extra Photo's
Trail: Bench Trail
Destination: About an hour
Distance: 4.16 miles
Start Time: 10:03
End Time: 11:53
Travel Time: 1:50 (2.27 mph)
Moving Time: 1:36 (2.60 mph)
Elevation Rise: 379'
Maximum Elevation: 1,059'
GPS Tracks
Last night we, Andrea and I, agreed that there was no need to hurry to get up, especially if it was as cold as yesterday. So I stayed in my tent until 7:30. Andrea was probably awake before then and got out shortly after I did. We started breaking camp, letting things dry out. An indication that it is a little warmer than yesterday since we did not have a coating of ice on everything.
Before Breaking Camp
We decided that a repeat of
warm almond milk and granola was in order. Evidently the planning on
the granola was just right. We finished breaking down camp after
breakfast-my tent fly is still wet. By 10:00, everything was packed
up. Now what to do?
We are to be out of the Pinnacles campsite by 11, but we think we will fudge a little bit on that. Also neither of us feel like we want to do anything strenuous. That sort of fits the Bench Trail which comes right out of our campground. This is the start of what we did yesterday.
The trail is fairly level, so
we walk at a good pace. Not sure that there is a whole bunch to stop
for, but I manage to take a few pictures along the way. We come to
the junction for Bear
Gulch
and the Old Pinnacles. We take the Old Pinnacles. This goes along the
Chalone
Creek,
so we do a series of minor rises and descents-about 30’ each.
Occasionally we met a few people on the trail.
Bench Trail and Andrea
We got to the junction with the Blue Oak Trail which leads to the High Peaks area. At this point, Andrea and I looked at each other and decided that this is a good time to turn around. The walk back is a repeat of what we have just walked through, except there are more people on the trail now. We quickly realize why. The parking lots are full close to the trail heads, traffic has been stopped on the main road, and people are parking lower down.
Looking up Chalone Creek
One of these groups of people
asked us about the High Peaks Trail. We talk for a few minutes about
what it is like. As we make way for a family to pass by, they would
have no part of that. They wanted to listen to what we were saying as
they did not know the area. I tell them a bit about the trail and
where it will go.
Andrea thinks this is so funny, her Dad being the tour guide. Sherri would call it pontificating. Whatever it is, I consider it an act of being kind to help someone. Andrea keeps laughing for the next quarter of a mile. So glad I can amuse my daughter.
Andrea entering the Bench Trail Tunnel
We get back to the car by
11:50. Since we are already packed, we just need to take care of
personal business and then be off. Actually, only more item-where do
we want to go for lunch? We decided to try SmashBurger
in Hollister. Andrea takes the lead and we get there a bit before
1:00. Andrea is still taking care of her Dad. She orders the food and
fights through any COVID germs to retrieve our meal. I think she has
turned out pretty well.
After eating, it is time to say good bye. What an enjoyable time with my daughter! Glad this worked out. I get home at 4:00pm. It takes me a lot of Thanksgiving to get things put away. But that is because I did not want to rush stuff.
Extra Photo's
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| Andrea, the masked hiker |
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| Gary, tired old man |
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| Andrea at the Blue Oak Trail Jct |
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