Tunnel Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

If accessing this trail from the junction with the High Peaks Trail, follow the trail southwest as it continually descends through a series of switchbacks and open trail sections. Chaparral covered hillsides are punctuated with rock formations like Proclamation Pinnacle, Burgundy Dome, Ball Pinnacle, and Teapot Dome, which are easily seen from this trail.

Near the end of the trail, cross over a small metal bridge and enter the ~50 ft man-made tunnel that was carved into a piece of rock next to Chaos Crag by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The trail ends after exiting the tunnel where it junctions with the Juniper Canyon Trail.

Pinnacles is currently one of five release sites for California Condors. The park hosts more than thirty of these scavengers. These birds are best seen in the higher regions of the park and can also often be seen on a hill behind the campsites. Pinnacles is also home to many species of raptors and other birds and is an excellent area for birding.

Wildflowers like Larkspur, California buckeye, Elegant clarkia, California buckwheat, Mariposa lily, Bush poppy, Gray mule-ears, Indian Warrior, California poppy and many others are abundant in spring.

Look for manzanita shrubs interspersed among patches of chaparral.

The park is also home to around 300 different species of lichens, which are easily visible on the many rock formations they color.