Pinnacle Mountain

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

 

Pinnacle Mountain is a steep, stand alone, summit with spectacular views overlooking the Arkansas River and Lake Maumelle, west of Little Rock. There are several trails in the state park, including two that climb to the summit. Either route is a short (about 3/4 mile) but very steep climb to the rocky pinnacle about 800 feet above the valley floor. The West Summit Trail is a little easier and can at least be done by walking. The East Summit trail involves hand-over-foot crawling up a steep boulder field (rock glacier). There are actually two summits, about 100 yards apart; make sure you see both of them. There is also a trail around the base of the mountain connecting the two trail heads. A good Visitor's Center is at the base of the mountain on the north side. This Visitor's Center is the western terminus of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.

 

Planning notes:

West side is easier than East side. A good route is to start on west side, take base trail to east TH, climb the rocks up East Summit Trail, and come down the West Summit Trail. Make sure everyone understands what is involved. Not all saturday hikers want to climb over rocks.

Details (trail distances per Tim Ernst):

East Summit Trail: 0.7 mi from east TH parking lot to top. VERY steep; includes a half mile of hand over hand 'crawling up rocks'.

West Summit Trail: 0.75 from west TH parking lot to top. Still very steep and rocky, but at least it is walking and doesn't require hands or crawling.

Rocky Valley (Loop) trail connnecting the trail heads is 1.2 miles along east side of base.

Several other trails, as well as the terminus of the Ouachita Trail are available in this state park. A good Saturday hike might be to take the loop around the mountain, take in the arboretum and river views from the Visitors Center, and then let only those with extra energy climb the peak.

 

Access Notes:

About an hour from HSV East gate. Take Hwy 9 to Kanis Road at ; turn LEFT at Ferndale cutoff (Stop sign); turn RIGHT on hwy 10; turn LEFT on hwy 300 (signed for Pinnacle Mt).  

West TH turns off hwy 300 a mile or so before east TH. West side is signed; East side is signed for Visitor's Center.  Good parking at both.

 

For additional info:

Arkansas State Parks Trail map available (see link on trail index page)

Tim Ernst: "Arkansas Hiking Trails" (p. 116)


Recent Hikes:

 

Nov 5, 2005      Leader: Cliff and Pamela Harrison            16 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: West Summit Trail (up & back)

1.5 miles             Difficulty Rating 4             Scenic Rating 5

sss: Views from top of mountain

Beautiful day; with great views on top. Spent about half hour on top for snacks.

Two hikers were unable to complete the hike and turned back early.

 

Nov 13, 2004    Leader: Bob Orr                          17 Hikers         OMH Saturday

Route:     1. Up the East Summit Trail and down West.

2. Up and back on West Summit trail

1.5 miles             Difficulty Rating 4             Scenic Rating 4

sss: 360 views on top; boulder fields; spine of Pinnacle

Group offered option on route; split up evenly.

Beautiful day with awesome views on top.

Hike scheduled to coincide with completion of OT thru hike by three OMH members. Most stayed and walked in to greet them and party near Visitor's Center after.

 

Apr 26, 2003    Leader: Rex Greer          7 Hikers           OMH Saturday

Route: Up and back the West Summit Trail; followed by Rocky Valley (loop) trail

2.6 miles             Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 5

Very steep climb - but short. 800 vertical feet in 3/4 mi.

Went to both peaks; great day - visibility for miles in all directions.

Peak trail crowded; literally hundreds of people, including (at least) three cub scout troops.

Lunch at overlook by Visitor's Center; then did Rocky Vally loop trail (pretty, but not spectacular).

 



View from the Top



Looking up (east side)