High Peaks Trail System: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Pinnacles National Monument, National Park Service

Regions 8, 9, 10, & 12 Park Cultural Landscapes Program

The High Peaks Trail System is an extension of the existing Pinnacles East Entrance District. The trail system, like the other construction within Pinnacles East Entrance District, was developed by the National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1923 and 1942, and it provides recreational access to the finest geologic features of Pinnacles National Monument. Geologic features in the area include rock spires, canyons, and talus caves which are remnants of an ancient volcano. The trail system that navigates through the unique terrain is an outstanding example of the rustic‑style of design employed by the NPS during the 1920s and 1930s. A high percentage of the existing trail features date to the historic period, including Bear Gulch Caves Trail, Moses Spring Trail, High Peaks Trail, High Peaks Cut‑Off Trail, Condor Gulch Trail, Tunnel Trail, Wall Trail, Rim Trail, and portions of the Juniper Canyon and Chalone Peak Trails. The trail corridor width of 30 feet includes trail system features that extend beyond the trail tread such as switchbacks, cuts & fills, retaining walls, and managed vegetation. The 13.01-mile-long trail system totals 47 acres. All but 0.77 miles of the full distance contribute to the trail system. The High Peaks Trail System is an extension of the existing Pinnacles East Entrance District boundary. The historic structures constructed in support of the High Peaks Trail System were designed in the rustic‑style, which emphasized the blending of built works into the surrounding natural setting. The manipulation of natural topography that occurred along the majority of the trail system is still evident, including the effort in minimizing the disturbance to the surrounding landscape. The trail alignment, as established during the historic period, balances the challenges of the steep topography with the desire to allow visitor access to the park’s unique features. The High Peaks Trail System and associated contributing features within this district retain all seven aspects of integrity. In only a few instances have minor trail segments been realigned, and nowhere have substantial features been moved, so that the system retains integrity of location and the district as a whole has not suffered from any substantial changes in spatial configuration or extent. The original design of the trail system evolved considerably within the period of significance, with the expansion of the trail system and the addition of shortcuts, but the final configuration has not changed since that time. Rustic‑style principles are still apparent in the design of individual features. The setting of these features has also remained largely unchanged, characterized by rugged backcountry with steep, often precipitous terrain and frequently dramatic vistas. The durable materials of which the trails and associated features were constructed have survived with little deterioration, and subsequent maintenance has largely avoided substituting new materials or methods of workmanship. The manual labor associated with the original workmanship is still visibly evident in the surviving features. The integrity of these features allows the district to retain much the same feeling and associations of the period of significance. Where new additions have been made they have not compromised the integrity of the original feeling and association because they have utilized the same materials and similar methods of workmanship employed during the period of significance and are compatible with its historic character. The High Peaks Trail System is in good condition. Though there is clear evidence of disturbances due to visitor use of the trail system, the maintenance staff has had a history of sensitively stabilizing these impacts through routine and periodic maintenance.

High Peaks Trail System: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Pinnacles National Monument, National Park Service

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