Pinnacle Mountain State Park - West Summit Trail

Pinnacle Mountain (alt. 1,011 feet) - Little Rock, Arkansas

A Scenic Hike On The West Summit Trail In Pinnacle Mountain State Park - October 26, 2010

Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Pinnacle, Arkansas
Do you enjoy hiking in the mountains of northwest Arkansas? Then Pinnacle Mountain (alt. 1,011 feet) surely needs to be on your list! Pinnacle Mountain State Park, located northwest of Little Rock, is considered the easternmost mountain in the Ouachita Mountains. Today I hiked on the well-marked and maintained West Summit Trail.

Pinnacle Mountain, Arkansas
A photo of Pinnacle Mountain while pulled over on Pinnacle Valley Road (Highway 300) south of the main entrance.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park comprises of 2,000 acres with a variety of trails, including the West Summit Trail and more steeper East Summit Trail. The park also serves as the eastern terminus of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail that spans 250 miles into eastern Oklahoma. (So many trails, so little time!)

Click any photo to view it at a larger size. A new window will open.	Pinnacle Mountain Hike The fall colors have been below par in Arkansas this year, thanks in part because of lack of rain. At least this picture showed some yellow and orange foliage beyond the trail.
	I love the boulder fields!
	The Summit of Pinnacle Mountain Is this a difficult climb? It depends. The hike is 1.5 miles round trip. If you are experienced in mountain climbing in a place like Colorado, then you might find this hike relatively easy. However, there are many steep sections of trail, as the ascent is approximately 300 feet from the trailhead parking lot to the summit. The consensus among the Little Rock articles I've read is this hike is rated as "strenuous" - a short and steep climb that will give you a physical workout for sure.
	Scenery at the summit.
	I was facing the sun, but I think I could faintly see some of the tallest buildings in downtown Little Rock.
	The Arkansas River.
	To the west are two distinct peaks known as the Maumelle Pinnacles. Ahhhh, that might be my next climb! :)
	To the north is a rocky ridge that offers more central Arkansas scenery. TOP: The grand view of Lake Maumelle. SECOND: A closer shot of the Arkansas River.

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