High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop

High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop is an 8.9-mile clockwise circuit from Old Pinnacles Trailhead: take the Bench connector to High Peaks, cross the rocky ridge, descend Juniper Canyon, pass through Balconies Cave, then return on Old Pinnacles Trail. Published figures run from 8.4 to 9 miles; this mapped east-start route measures about 8.9. Allow four to five hours, plus stops. It is strenuous, but this is the route to choose if you want the High Peaks spires and the Balconies cave in one outing.

From the road-end parking area, follow Old Pinnacles Trail north beside a wide, sandy canyon. After about a quarter mile, turn left at the first junction onto Bench Trail; the easy trail continuing right is your return later. Cross a wooden footbridge, then walk about half a mile to High Peaks Trail. The route is clear at this junction, but it is easy to miss if you keep following the canyon.

High Peaks climbs steadily. The first 1.25 miles of High Peaks Trail gains roughly 875 feet before it reaches a bluff with wide views over the eastern canyons and ridges. The grade eases as the path rolls over ridgelines; stay right at the Condor Gulch junction. Then you enter the rock spires. The Steep and Narrow section squeezes between boulders, with steep steps cut into the rock, railings and short wooden walkways. It is much more exciting than a smooth ridge walk, and it asks for steady footing. California condors sometimes circle over the pinnacles, though sightings are never guaranteed. For a photo, frame the jagged High Peaks in front of the Balconies Cliffs rather than pointing straight across the valley; that view shows what makes this ridge special.

At the west end of High Peaks, turn right onto Juniper Canyon Trail. It drops about 1,025 feet over 1.8 miles. The upper trail is steep, with loose patches between the switchbacks; lower down, the canyon opens into a shaded evergreen grove. Look across toward Resurrection Wall before the trail reaches the west-side Chaparral parking area. This is the steep work of the loop, even though the walk to the cave is mostly downhill after it.

Cross the Chaparral parking area and continue on Balconies Trail. After about 0.6 mile, stay on the lower cave route at the Balconies Cliffs split. The canyon walls close in before the dark talus cave, where fallen boulders roof a fractured canyon. The passage has narrow gaps and rough boulder steps; bring a flashlight or headlamp. The cave can close when storms or high water make it unsafe, so check the gate before setting out. If it is closed, the Cliffs Trail bypass rejoins beyond the cave.

After the cave, stay right onto Old Pinnacles Trail for about 2.1 miles. This last stretch follows the sandy canyon bottom, mostly gently downhill, with occasional shade from pines and brush. At the Bench junction, keep left to walk the final quarter mile back to Old Pinnacles Trailhead. If you want just a shorter cave trip, the separate Balconies Cliffs-Cave Loop from Chaparral is about 2.4 miles.

The High Peaks climb is long and sunny, and Pinnacles can get very hot. Carry plenty of water; the park recommends at least a liter per person per hour. Pets are not allowed on park trails, though service animals are permitted. The east and west road entrances are not connected across the park, so start at Old Pinnacles if you want the loop to return to the same car.