Last week, a small bunch of OS33 spent a couple days away from campus, camping and hiking through Pinnacles National Park with Alex Keilty, our Science instructor, and Megan Broughton, our Residential Life Advisor. Organized by Sarah S and Grace Ann P, the trip was originally planned for Yosemite but when temperatures there rapidly plummeted in the days leading up to our departure, we quickly changed course for Pinnacles. It could not have been a more incredible place to explore together; whether sleeping under the Milky Way, summiting peaks, or descending into the cold caves.
About three hours south of Oxbow, Pinnacles is an otherworldy ancient volcanic field home to towering spires of rock, talus caves, condors, raccoons (the group is now very adept at driving them away), deer, and flocks wild turkey (bless their poor, bizarre souls). With over 30 miles of trails, we certainly had our pick of beauty and ended up hiking for about 15 miles through the chaparral and spires on Friday after a chilly night at the campgrounds with a breathtakingly clear view of the stars.
We're hoping to integrate similar trips into future semesters with help from student and faculty volunteers (and cooperative weather!).
All photos by Grace Ann P and Ellie J:
