Talk:Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve
This page are excerpts from the club newsletter (in reverse chronological order) to help with hike planning:
Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, August 14, 2010
Vic Hasler reporting
This hike ended up being exploratory as I was the only hiker to show up at the Colonial Heights parking lot. I quickly reached Lebanon, VA, but then had trouble finding the county roads I was seeking. After stopping for directions – twice, I found the route described on the DCR website. The gate to the back parking lot was still locked, so I started at the swinging bridge. The one-mile Big Cedar Creek Trail follows a well-established path mostly along a gravel access road to the Big Falls. A couple of young families from Abingdon were hiking at the same time to spend the day swimming there. After lunch at the falls, I proceeded on to the Clinch River Trail and the Pinnacle View Loop to see the 600’ rock formation. It was apparent that summer crews had been clearing the deadfalls from last winter. The river trail ends at the Clinch River, so I backtracked to Copper Ridge Trail and up a 350’ elevation climb to the overlook. (I would recommend the overlook when the leaves are down for better views of the Clinch.) The return leg back to my truck was quick. A DQ stop on the way home relieved some of the 93°F and humidity. I was back at home by 3:30PM.
This hike would definitely qualify for families and beginners. The Pinnacle NAP could be very busy during early spring to mid-June as the Big Cedar Creek is stocked with trout. Fall might be quite pleasant when the trees turn color.
Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, August 14, 2010
Hike Leader: Vic Hasler
Rating: F/B, roughly 5-6 miles round trip, moderate pace with several stops, limited elevation change
Come explore. The Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve has a swinging bridge, a pair of waterfalls, a creek, and a tall rock formation. Check out the DCR website including the link to additional photos.
Meet in Colonial Heights in the parking lot between McDonalds and the bank, to leave at 8:30AM for the 61- mile (80-minute) drive via Abingdon and Lebanon, VA to the preserve. Group choice on the trails to follow, but intention is to check out the swinging bridge, then follow the creek by the falls to see the pinnacle and Clinch River. Bring a lunch to eat half-mile in at the picnic tables (with bathrooms!). Also have plenty of water, camera, water shoes (if wading), and be prepared for weather (will cancel if high chance of heavy rain is forecasted). We should be back in Kingsport by late afternoon. Contact hike leader by email if interested (hvhasler@eastman.com).