Pinnacles National Monument will be opening the Bear Gulch Cave to public access from Wednesday, March 10th through Wednesday, March 31st, 2004. The cave has been closed to protect a colony of Townsend's Big-eared bats, which are listed as a California species of special concern. These bats use the cave as a place to raise their pups during the summer and as a place to hibernate in the winter and spring.

The trip through the Bear Gulch Cave is part of a moderate two-mile round trip walk that begins on the east side of the Monument. Flashlights are required, and drinking water is recommended. Visitors are encouraged to carpool or hike into the park on weekends.

After March 31st, the cave will be closed again until October. The management plan for the cave calls for public access for one to four weeks each March and October, depending on the presence of the colony of bats. Another talus cave, the Balconies Cave, is open year-round except during times of heavy rainfall. It can be reached most easily through the Monument's west entrance.

When visiting Pinnacles National Monument, please be aware that no concession services or gas stations are available in the park.

For more information please contact the Bear Gulch Visitor Center at (831) 389-4485 ext. 0 or visit our web pages.