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April 27, 2004An Afternoon At The Mountain
As you might imagine, every trip to Pinnacle is equal parts reminscent and discovering something new. I took at least one picture of something new (noted in the included pictures). In any event, Key has gone and done it again. Bless her soul, everytime she reaches a bit too far in musing how I might react or be in different situations, somehow, someway, I have been in the process at the instant she does it of proving her wrong. Today, she noted that I might be miserable being stranded on a deserted island, and therefore includes me on her list (of which I am deeply honored, especially since no one else has included me on their castaway dream team). So whilst she mused that I'd be miserable in nature, I was out communing with it. The photo essay of the mountain is in the extended entry. Enjoy!  From the parking lot, we see the flat side of our objective, a mere 1,011 feet above our current position. It has been sometime since I last embarked on the West Summit trail, winding a mile and 3/4 to the top. As best I could remember, my best time to the top was 15 minutes, but was not on the trail, so it was considerably shorter, and more rugged. I settled on a goal of reaching the top via the established 1.75-mile trail in twenty minutes. To my surprise and more than expected exertion, I made it almost to the second. The summit and its cool winds rising from the Arkansas River valley were a welcome destination. I took a breather and then took pictures.
 From the peak, I looked to the North/Northeast at the hills on the other side of the Arkansas River where I spent my childhood. I also see the cliffs near North Little Rock's Emerald Park where a childhood friend died when I was 13. Some say his ghost still haunts the park.  Turning slightly to the right, I take in Little Rock proper, with its modest skyline and the ever-present Arkansas River. It occurs to me that there is far less urban sprawl here than is often complained about and how fortunate we all are to have such a beautiful city to call our own.
 Looking North, we can see the dike that is responsible for Lake Maumelle. What few people know is that there is a trail here that leads from the other side of the mountain all the way to Oklahoma. It's called the Ouachita National Trail. What a place--you can walk across half a state to the next one.
 Turning to the left a little bit, one can see the conveniently located Lake Maumelle, just south of the Arkansas River. On clearer days, a person can see a glimpse of Petit Jean Mountain from this direction. Ever heard of the legend of Petit Jean? Perhaps you should...your SSG likes the story.
 As the light was turning and I needed to get to the 'Rockfall' before the light had gone away, I turned to the closest way down from the summit, the area I call the Ridgeback.
 As I moved towards the rockpile area that I am hoping to catch with 'just' the right portion of sunlight, I am distracted by the birds of the air.
 As a child and now, one of my my favorite parts of Pinnacle Mountain is the rock falls. Not only can you learn untold bits about balance and grace walking across the field, you can find rocks shaped in manners you wouldn't normally imagine.
 This is more of the rock field. In reality, it is rather modest, but the shapes of rocks you can find here are almost infinite.... For those of you who are still with me and still waiting for the new thing I encountered, the next picture is for you.
 Alright, here's something I had never noticed in times that I had previously ran amongst the rockfall at Pinnacle. It appears to me that this could have been a stone age version of a potty seat.
 Potty seats or not, this is a view of Shinall Mountain, home of every major transmission tower except ABC of the broadcast network stations in central Arkansas.
 Comments
Hey Adam, just wanted to let you know I had to move my site (getting cable internet! No more dialup) to http://southernwench.blogspot.com if you could change the link to that please? Oh yes, everyone loves to make a liar out of me! Keep in mind, a party of two on a crisp cool mountain is a far cry from a party of ten on a deserted island. I would include you because misery loves company. (...and you're pretty decent company.) ; ) Posted by: Key at April 28, 2004 08:46 AMNice pic, BTW! (It finally emerged...) Posted by: Key at April 28, 2004 08:48 AMThe landscape is stunning. My father lives in a small town named DeSha (close to Batesville). He's been ill and my sister and I are considering a roadtrip. Posted by: rachel at April 28, 2004 09:26 AMBeautiful pictures. I had to giggle at your reference to the "skyline" of Little Rock - I couldn't find it. I'm such a city girl! Posted by: Denise at April 28, 2004 02:17 PMSometimes I really miss Arkansas. Thinking about your reference to Emerald Park and Paul, took me back. Posted by: Phillip at May 7, 2004 12:04 AMPost a comment
 
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