Pinnacle Mountain

Pinnacle Mountain is the centerpiece of my hometown in Arkansas. My family grew up going here to either walk around the trails, go horseback riding, canoeing or kayaking, and hiking up the mountain. It was always the best place to relax. There’s over 15 miles of trails surrounding the 2,300-acre state park. My dad always thought that hiking pinnacle mountain was the best part though, so that’s what we did.

 Over Thanksgiving this year, we made it a priority to hike the mountain – it’s more a family tradition now. When I was little I liked to challenge myself with the “hard” side of the mountain as my dad would say. In reality, it’s called the East summit trail that has a base trail that loops around the base of the mountain and connects back up to the trailhead 2.5 miles later. 

It was considered “hard” because once we reached the halfway point, the trail would turn into all boulders and rocks that you would have to climb with both your hands and feet. 

As a child, I thought was a superhero making it to the top – many times having battle scars to prove it. 

The best part going back this Thanksgiving is seeing how it hasn’t changed at all. It still has the yellow marks on the trees to guide you to the top and still has the same entrance sign it did 30 years ago. My dad always likes to remind me too that he broke his ankle on that route when were little, so he jokes we have to help him up the mountain now that he’s getting older. 

At the top of pinnacle mountain is one incredible view. Of course, to some people it may be average, but to me I like looking down and seeing the Maumelle river flowing beneath me, the cars looking like I could crush them with my pinky finger, and the miles of green tress and green grass stretching across the entire city. It’s a humble reminder that Little Rock will probably never change. It’s not a big city – it has always been two lane roads and forests right in the center.

I look forward to my visits there because I get to see how nature has played a crucial role in my upbringing. Pinnacle mountain will forever be my dad and I’s favorite spot together – one I hope never does change.