With the stroke of his pen, President Barack Obama signed a bill proclaiming Pinnacles National Park the 59th national park. This diverse 40-square mile is located east of Salinas Valley, just south of Soledad, and about 75 south of San Francisco. First designated a national forest reserve in 2906, in 1908 Pinnacles became a national monument when President Theodore Roosevelt used the powers given him by the Antiquities Act of 1906.
Located on the site of an ancient volcano, the park is part of the Gabilan Range, part of California’s Coast Range. The park located near the San Adreas Fault, is composed unique formations caused by the eruption of the Neenach Volcano some 23 million years ago and the movement of the Pacific Plate along the San Andreas Fault. A series of cliffs and caves have been formed by Talus or Scree, accumulations of broken rock fragments at the base of cliffs, mountains, or in valleys. Two other faults run through this national park, making this a very dynamic and active site. Numerous streams have been created as a result of the frequent seismic activity in the region of the park.
The California Condor, California Quail, wild turkeys, and Prairie Falcons, as well as other birds and mammals, are indigenous to this park. The California Condor reestablishment program has been in operation since 2003. Pinnacles National Park manages the program, and has at least 32 free-flying Condors flying within the range of the park. Wild pigs run free in most areas of the park, though a 20-year program to eradicate the pigs has greatly reduced their population. A fence protects the central core of the park from pigs.
Manzanita, greaseweed, Digger Pine, Canyon Live Oak, Blue Oak grow in the warmer parts of the park, while Coffeeberry, Hollyleaf Cherry, California Buckeye, pines and oaks are more numerous.
Within Pinnacles National Park lies Hain Wilderness (15,985 acres of wilderness) that gives higher protection to the 80% of Park it covers. The protection is for the rock spires (pinnacles), Chalon Peak (the highest peak in the Gabilan Range), and numerous creeks and canyon (habitat for the endangered red-legged frog).
Instrumental in getting this bill passed is local U.S. House of Representative, Sam Farr. When I first contacted Sam Farr about Pinnacles last Fall, he reminded me that this was a piece of bipartisan legislation: “. The bipartisan bill (HR 3641) was co-sponsored by Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA). With the passage of the bill, the park’s diverse ecosystems, geology, and cultural history are both recognized and preserved. With the passage of the bill in the Senate, Pinnacles Wilderness will go through a name change as well, becoming the Hain Wilderness. Congressman Farr sent out an email news letter to all his constituents earlier this week to announce the bill’s passage. In it he stressed the importance of upgrading the Pinnacles’ status saying, ‘This California gem is one of the rare examples of tectonic plate movement in the United States. The Pinnacles is the missing novel in the grand library of the National Park System and today’s vote brings us one step closer to writing that book. With the added status as a National Park, generations of visitors will now travel to the region to experience this unique ecological and geological treasure.’”
Sam Farr and Jeff Denham led the House of Representatives in support of the Bill, and Senator Barbara Boxer led the U.S. Senate. When President Obama signed HR3641, neither the size of the park nor the budget increase. Local supporters including businesses and environmentalists expect the passage of the bill to have a significant and positive impact of the future of Pinnacles National Park and the region.
According tot he Director of Wilderness Campaigns of the Wilderness Society, Paul Spitler, “This literally puts Pinnacles on the map.”
Congressman Sam Farr made the following observations, “Situated slightly inland from the California coast, Pinnacles National Monument has not yet realized its full tourism potential but anyone who has visited this place knows it is special. From exploring caves, to viewing springtime wildflowers, to hiking through spire-like rock formations, visitors and families can participate in activities that leave lasting memories. It is truly worthy of National Park Status.”
Sam Farr’s bill elevates the 26,000-acre park from the status of a National Monument to a National Park. The bipartisan bill (HR 3641) was co-sponsored by Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA). With the passage of the bill, the park’s diverse ecosystems, geology, and cultural history are both recognized and preserved. With the passage of the bill in the Senate, Pinnacles Wilderness now goes through a name change as well, becoming the Hain Wilderness. Congressman Farr sent out an email news letter to all his constituents earlier this week to announce the bill’s passage. In it he stressed the importance of upgrading the Pinnacles’ status saying, “This California gem is one of the rare examples of tectonic plate movement in the United States. The Pinnacles is the missing novel in the grand library of the National Park System and today’s vote brings us one step closer to writing that book. With the added status as a National Park, generations of visitors will now travel to the region to experience this unique ecological and geological treasure.”
The missing novel has now been added. With the passage of this bill, Pinnacles not only becomes the 59th National Park, it also becomes California’s 9th National Park. Monterey and San Benito Counties celebrate and thank Representative Sam Farr for his unflagging efforts to get this bill passed.
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