Yeah, it’s been awhile! Sitting down at a desk and blogging is much more of a chore than Facebooking! I have the WordPress app on my phone, so this will be quick and easy!
Got my two permits on-line, and the gate code was wrong! Burned a few hours and $20 in gas getting to a phone signal, to call the BLM.
About 25 miles to the eastern end of the park, after a short detour to the Benitoite Gem Mine.
I slept in the Subie at 4000 feet. I was happy to be wearing three layers, and two sleeping bags!
Thats about it! Long drive in the Subie, and a 7 mile round-trip hike. I was buzzed by a scruffy old ex-Coast Guard chopper, for some reason!
AlphaRoaming 
Joaquin Rocks are now accessible? Hadn’t that area been off-limits for several years?
It’s now accessible, with two permits on recreation.gov
Man I have been trying to do this forever living in Hollister and never have made it, I was going to do in this winter but now the road is washed out…Is your car by the metal gate under the tree the start of the trail? I plan on doing on night car camp and one night backpacking/staying at the rocks…. keep exploring..
Yes, not bad with a stock Outback. There are some deep ruts, but if you know where to place your wheels… (it may have gotten worse this winter. I’d also wait until the mud dries-up, or it could be hard getting back up the hill.)