The Pinnacle loop is a moderate 9-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail. It is one of the most popular day hikes in Eastern PA with rewarding views of the surrounding Lehigh Valley.
This first time I visited the Pinnacle was during my thru-hike. I got to watch the sunrise while I drank a cup of coffee. Recently I headed back with my dog and a few friends and was able to get some great pics. I also recorded my hike using Gaia GPS. You can view the map, stats, and download the track here.
The hike begins at the parking lot along Reservoir Road with a short, flat walk past the gate. After crossing Furnace Creek, stay right onto the Appalachian Trail following the white blazes. The steepest ascent is within the first two miles culminating with the view at Pulpit Rock. From here the trail flattens out but remains rocky.
The Pinnacle view is about halfway through the hike. An enormous pile of rock marks the entrance to a short side trail. The rest of the hike is an easy and gradual descent. When you reach an open clearing at mile 6, stay left and continue down to the parking lot.
We had a great time on this hike and plan to revisit the Pinnacle in July to hand out some trail magic to those dirty thru-hikers!