North Fork Pinnacle - Sep-14-2008

North Fork Pinnacle is a 1,512 foot rock outcrop in the eastern Ouachita Mountains, a few minutes drive from Lake Sylvia. The "trail" to the top is really an old road. There room to pull off the road and park on FR #132 at the point labeled on the map. From there, it is a 0.5 mile hike to the top on a rutted, old dirt road. Elevation gain is 300 feet.

The top, where the road ends, is the site of an old fire lookout tower; the concrete footings are still there. It is relatively open, with views in most directions (see panorama). Because it is so easy to reach, you will sometimes find beer cans/bottles, cigarete butts and other trash up here. There's a fire ring and it looks like people might occasionally even camp up here.

The rock outcrop that forms North Fork Pinnacle is much bigger than just the area at the end of the road. If you have the energy to explore it, there is a large cliff to the south and some other interesting spots along the spine. However, it is covered with briars, gnarled old trees and its is probably a haven for snakes.