Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
The trail begins at the Chaparral parking area inside the park's west entrance.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
The loop path follows a single trail out, and then uses the Old Pinnacles Trail and Balconies Caves Trail to form the loop.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
This hike offers great views of the park's towering pinnacles stone formations which lie immediately beside the path.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
Tracing a calm canyon downstream.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
A sign marks the fork between the higher Old Pinnacles Trail and the tunneling Balconies Cave Trail.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
The Old Pinnacles route of the loop follows exposed single path as it climbs and weaves along the cliffside topography.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
The trail fork at the far end of the loop.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
Heading toward the Balconies Caves, the path heads into a darkened and cool canyon.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
The trail parallels a small stream.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
Entering the Balconies Caves.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
There are steep, small, low hanging and narrow walkways throughout the caves.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
This view of the small walkway at the very bottom compared to the towering rocks above the caves gives some perspective of the landscape that hikers are passing beneath.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
Emerging from the caves.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
White arrows are painted sporadically on cave walls to guide hikers through the caves.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
Fallen boulders present obstacles that hikers must pass by.
Shaun Hunter
Photo Date: 
01/13/2025
Hikers should not attempt to enter the caves during times of heavy water flow.