Forgotten Pinnacle

Unmarked by surface features, exposed to the vagaries of the weather, and possessing a diminutive anchorage precariously close to a deepwater dropoff, it's no surprise that this oblong rock seldom garners interest from those entering Carmel Bay. Visitors to the pinnacle's southeast encounter wolf eels among gardens of elephant ear sponges, and may gaze through clear water, passed China, vermillion, and starry rockfish, to a sandy bottom, deceivingly far away at depth of 160 feet. The southwest side is home to a significant school of blue rockfish joined by a few large sheepshead. The school looks down on the crown of a Corynactis encrusted sheer wall with dramatic vertical aretes and dihedrals.

Jewel top snails (Calliostoma annulatum) are one of the many animals that
can be found in the branches of California hydrocoral (Stylaster
californicus).

    "Forgotten Pinnacle", Carmel Bay, California
    December 11, 2004






A young China rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus) hides in sponge surrounded by
club-tipped anemones (Corynactus californica) and a jewel top snail
(Calliostoma annulatum).

    "Forgotten Pinnacle", Carmel Bay, California
    December 4, 2004






Fish-eating anemone (Urticina piscivora) and gopher rockfish (Sebastes
carnatus) under California hydrocoral (Stylaster californicus.

    "Forgotten Pinnacle", Carmel Bay, California
    December 15, 2004



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