Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most breathtaking and diverse national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural heritage, making them must-see destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at these two parks and comparing their features, activities, and what makes them special. Whether you’re planning a road trip, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, you won’t want to miss the chance to explore these two parks. So grab your hiking boots, pack a picnic, and get ready to discover the beauty and wonder of Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve!
Hiking Trails in Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two popular national parks for hiking in the United States.
Pinnacles National Park offers a range of trails, from easy to strenuous hikes. The easiest hike is the Balconies Cave Trail, a 1.3-mile loop that takes you through a cave and offers great views of the surrounding landscape. On the other hand, the hardest hike is the High Peaks Trail, which is a 5-mile round trip hike that takes you up to the top of the Pinnacles and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a much larger park and offers more challenging hiking opportunities. The easiest hike is the Nabesna Road, a scenic road that offers great views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The hardest hike is the Mount St. Elias, which is a strenuous 18-mile round trip hike that takes you to the top of the mountain and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
In conclusion, both Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a range of hiking trails for all levels of hikers. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike or a challenging climb, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Pinnacles National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop | 8690.436 | 484.9368 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Pinnacles Trail Loop | 15288.73 | 527.9136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Bear Gulch Day Use Area to Reservoir via Rim Trail | 2896.812 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| High Peaks Trail | 10138.842 | 539.8008 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| High Peaks & Balconies Cave Loop Trail | 12713.786 | 549.8592 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir | 1770.274 | 96.9264 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies | 8207.634 | 150.876 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Balconies Trail | 13196.588 | 592.836 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Juniper Canyon Trail to High Peaks | 5793.624 | 383.7432 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Balconies Cave Trail | 4184.284 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Pinnacles National Park, located in California, offers a unique landscape filled with towering rock formations and diverse wildlife. The park is home to a variety of animals including California Condors, Black-tailed Deer, and the endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox. Bird enthusiasts will delight in the sightings of Peregrine Falcons, Anna’s Hummingbirds, and the American Kestrel. In addition to the wildlife, Pinnacles National Park also boasts a rich array of plant life, including California Poppies, Manzanita, and Yucca.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska is a vast wilderness area with a diverse range of wildlife including grizzly bears, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep. Birdwatchers will be able to spot a variety of species such as the Bald Eagle, Harlequin Duck, and the Trumpeter Swan. The park is also home to a number of plant species, including Fireweed, Devil’s Club, and the Alaska Blueberry. With over 13 million acres of land, Wrangell-St. Elias offers a unique opportunity to see some of the largest mammals in the world, including the Alaskan Brown Bear and the Caribou.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Pinnacles National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Canada Goose |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| American Robin | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| Great Horned Owl | American Robin |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Great Horned Owl |
| Northern Flicker | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Merlin | Northern Flicker |
| Barn Swallow | Merlin |
| Great Blue Heron | Barn Swallow |
| Hermit Thrush | Savannah Sparrow |
| American Kestrel | Great Blue Heron |
| Bald Eagle | Hermit Thrush |
| Song Sparrow | American Kestrel |
| European Starling | Bald Eagle |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Song Sparrow |
| Killdeer | European Starling |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | Northern Pintail |
| Hairy Woodpecker | American Wigeon |
| Red-Breasted Nuthatch | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Pinnacles National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Big Brown Bat | American Beaver |
| Bobcat | Muskrat |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Red Fox |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Puma |
| Hoary Bat | Mink |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| House Mouse | Wolf |
| Puma | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | Snowshoe Hare |
| Gray Fox | Land Otter |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Common Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Water Shrew |
| North American Badger | Red Squirrel |
| California Myotis | Montane Shrew |
| Fringed Myotis | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Lynx |
| Townsends’ Big-Eared Bat | Wolverine |
| Western Harvest Mouse | American Marten |
| Western Small-Footed Bat | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Yuma Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Pallid Bat | Meadow Vole |
Reptiles
| Pinnacles National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Gartersnake | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| California Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Night Snake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Pinnacles National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Pinnacles National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Silvery Blue |
| Painted Lady | Clouded Sulphur |
| Monarch | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Pinnacles National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Green Sunfish | Steelhead |
| Fathead Minnow | Longnose Sucker |
| Threespine Stickleback | Lake Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Northern Pike |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Pinnacles National Park is famous for its towering rock formations and unique geological formations, including the spires and canyons that give the park its name. Visitors can hike through the park’s scenic trails and enjoy breathtaking views from the top of its rock formations.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged beauty and vast wilderness. The park is home to North America’s largest mountain range, the Wrangell Mountains, and is home to some of the tallest peaks in the United States. Visitors to the park can hike through its extensive backcountry and enjoy breathtaking views of glaciers, ice fields, and the surrounding wilderness. The park also boasts numerous rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, making it a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and other water sports.
Both Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer visitors the chance to experience the beauty and majesty of nature in its raw form. Whether you’re looking for towering rock formations, towering mountain peaks, or pristine wilderness, these two national parks are sure to take your breath away.
Things To-Do and Activities in Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in the United States. While both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, each park has its own unique set of popular activities.
At Pinnacles National Park, visitors love to hike the park’s many trails, rock climb and explore the park’s unique rock formations. The park’s trails range from easy walks to challenging hikes, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. Rock climbing is also a popular activity, with routes ranging from beginner to expert.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is well-known for its incredible wilderness and opportunities for backcountry adventure. Visitors love to explore the park’s glaciers, go rafting down the Copper River, and go on scenic drives through the park’s vast wilderness. The park also offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, with a chance to see grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou.
In conclusion, both Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a wide range of outdoor activities, but each park has its own unique set of popular activities. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike, a scenic drive, or a backcountry adventure, both parks offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two popular national parks in the United States that are known for their unique landscapes and diverse wildlife. However, there are significant differences between the two parks when it comes to their seasonal weather patterns.
Pinnacles National Park is located in California and experiences a Mediterranean climate. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, while winter temperatures average around 50°F. The best time to visit the park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and the scenery is lush and green.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and experiences a subarctic climate. Summer temperatures in the park are usually in the 50s°F, while winter temperatures can drop to below freezing. This park is best visited in the summer months, when the weather is milder and the wildlife is more active.
The seasonal weather patterns in these two parks have a significant impact on when is the best time to visit. In Pinnacles National Park, the warm summer temperatures can make outdoor activities challenging, while the winter months can be too cold for many visitors. In Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, the harsh winter weather can make it difficult to access the park and enjoy outdoor activities.
While both Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife experiences, the best time to visit each park is largely dependent on the weather patterns in the area. Visitors to these parks should plan their trips accordingly, taking into account the local weather and seasonal conditions.
Family Friendliness of Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Pinnacles National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both popular national parks in the United States, but they differ in terms of family-friendliness. Pinnacles National Park is a smaller park located in California, and it is a great option for families with children. The park has several easy hiking trails and picnic areas, making it a great place for a day trip. There are also several caves in the park that kids may find interesting to explore. Overall, Pinnacles National Park is a great option for families with young children who want a fun and easy outdoor experience.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a much larger park located in Alaska. It is not as accessible as Pinnacles National Park, and is better suited to families with older children or teenagers. There are many more opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping, but they can be more challenging due to the remote location of the park. Additionally, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is not as developed as other national parks, so families will need to be more self-sufficient. Overall, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a great option for families with older children who are looking for a more challenging outdoor experience.