Moses Spring is a seep along the Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop in the eastern part of Pinnacles National Park, reached from the Bear Gulch Day Use Area. The roughly 2.2-mile loop passes rock formations and short tunnels carved into the canyon wall on its way to Bear Gulch Reservoir. The trail connects to Bear Gulch Cave, a talus cave that opens and closes seasonally.
Details
- Type
- Point of Interest
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Overview
The loop runs about 2.2 miles with roughly 500 feet of elevation change and is rated moderate, taking most hikers 1 to 2 hours. The trail climbs through Bear Gulch on a narrow rock staircase edged out of the canyon wall, in places only a few feet wide, then continues up to Bear Gulch Reservoir and returns along the rim of the gulch. Moses Spring itself is a small water source along the lower section of the route.
Bear Gulch Cave
From the trail you can route through Bear Gulch Cave, a talus cave formed by boulders wedged into the narrow canyon. The cave is open only seasonally and is closed at times to protect a colony of Townsend's big-eared bats, and it can also close in winter when floodwater backs up inside. Bring a flashlight if it is open, since the passages have low ceilings, slippery rocks, and uneven footing. Check the park's cave status before you go.
Getting there
From the Pinnacles East Entrance, drive about 4 miles along the East Entrance Road to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area, where the trail begins near the Bear Gulch Nature Center. Parking fills quickly on busy weekends. Summer days are hot, so carry water and start early.