Although this is not the first time I have hiked to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock, Arkansas, it had been quite a while since I last hiked it. The whole trail is a steep incline up the rocky face of a large hill, classified in Arkansas as a mountain only because of the lack of actual mountain ranges in this region. All that aside, it is a strenuous hike. There are portions of the trail where you are effectively rock-climbing, using your hands to lift yourself to the next ledge of rock. On this particular Saturday, I was shocked to see the number of families with toddlers hiking up, their toddlers walking beside them (sometimes assisted but for the most part independent).
The trail is less than a mile but because of the incline, it feels infinitely longer. The last section up to the summit is by far the most strenuous. I found myself thoroughly winded by the time we reached the first, and the lower, of the two small peaks. The view from this first peak is predominantly ridges, and the occasional housing development or farmer's field. After taking in the view for a bit, and attempting to get our Christmas card family photo, we trekked a bit over to the higher of the two peaks. From this summit, one has an incredible, almost 360 degree view of Little Rock and the surrounding area.
On the left side of this peak, the most predominant scene is that of the Big Maumelle, Little Maumelle, and Arkansas rivers. At the right-hand most side of these bodies of water is a dam that creates Lake Maumelle. I prefer this peak 1) because the view of the rivers is more breathtaking and less overrun by construction or developments, and 2) because the scenery seems to envelope you, no matter where you turn.
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| View from the lower of the two peaks |
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| View of the three rivers and Lake Maumelle |
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