Hiking at Pinnacle Mountain State Park
She wanted to go hiking. Our youngest wanted to go hiking for her 10th birthday.
We said okay.
We were old, but we said okay.
We were out of shape, but we said okay.
She decided she wanted to hike at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. We tried to explain that on July 31, the date of her birth, would be really hot.
Turns out, it was really, really, really hot.
Nevertheless, we loaded up, just the three of us, and headed to Little Rock. As we drove up the mountain to Pinnacle Mountain State Park, I started praying for rain to cool things off.
I don’t think I started praying early enough. It didn’t come. Walking across the parking lot, I felt like I had to move fast to keep my shoes from melting. Making it to the Visitor Center was more of an accomplishment than I ever thought possible.
But what a view of the Arkansas River from the back porch of the Visitor Center. It was worth the struggle.
After we cooled off, she was waiting around for the hike. We tried, we really did, but by the time we headed out on a trail, even she was too hot. She said we could come back when it gets cooler. We thanked her.
What a great birthday present she gave us.
We aim to honor the postponed birthday park Pinnacle Mountain hike later this month. I hope is much cooler. I think we should stick with the half a mile hike, but my husband has faith in us. She is 13 now and I am not sure she even remembers that we promised to return. Granted I am not in much better shape than three years ago, she is less bouncy herself. Ha!
There are over 40 miles of trails maintained by the state park and range from the Kingfisher at a half-a-mile, to the fivemile Ouachita trail. There is the West Summer and East Summit, the Rocky Valley, the East Quarry, the Base, the Arkansas, the Jackfork and the Rabbit Ridge. The park has maps that detail the miles and routes, so you can pick one based on your stamina. Or lack thereof.
The peak of Pinnacle is cone-shaped and is a “dramatic natural
landform,” according to the writer of the state park’s brochure. “Rising 756 feet from the adjacent floodplains, Pinnacle’s rock peak reaches an elevation of 1,011 feet above sea level. Surrounded by wooded hillsides, lush lowlands, and clear waterways, a view from its summit provides a panorama of nature’s handiwork carved into the eastern slopes of the Ouachita Mountain range.”
This natural environment, located west of the state capital, was set aside in 1977. With 2,351 acres of diverse, natural habitat
from wetlands to upland ridges, everywhere you walk, you see an “ever-changing web of plant and animal life that flourishes because diverse habitats are protected.”
Mountain bikers will also enjoy the trails the mountain offers. Fishing, canoeing and boating are also offered; but know that park gates close one hour after sunset and no camping is allowed at the “day-use-park.”
Other offerings include the native plant garden installed and maintained by the Pulaski County Master Gardeners. It includes native flower gardens, a butterfly garden and a native flower meadow.
There is an Environmental Education
Pond used for aquatic studies, fishing clinics and wildlife observations.
The .6-mile Arkansas Arboretum is a paved, barrier-free trail with interpretive exhibits and features native trees and shrubs from all regions of Arkansas. A water fountain and benches are along the trail.
Located at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road in Little Rock, you can reach the park at 501868-5806 if you have any questions. Hopefully, cooler weather should create a great time to keep a promise.