But I was distracted.

The parks namesake Pinnacles aretechnically the remains of a decomposing Miocene volcano.

Something so beautifully moving that it must have been built for my amusement.

Panoramic view of rocky mountains against sky in Pinnacles National Park, California

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Needless to say, the Pinnacles' beauty has continued to both befuddle and astonish visitors today.

(The original designation was granted by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908.)

As a haven for rock climbers, there are hundreds of routes from both ends of the parks.

Trail Through Pinnacles National Park

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Bear Gulch Reservoir in Pinnacles National Park in California

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