This popular climbing destination rises above the fertile valley just east of the city of Heber Springs. It formed as an erosional remnant by the Little Red River. It stands as a monument to the eons of time when the river was patiently carving out the valley from the surrounding hills. Why the sandstone formation has held firm on top of the long familiar landmark is a question that geologists can explain. Because the huge rocks at the top of the formation lie in flat layers and were not folded by continental drift, they cap the mountain on which they lie. Through the centuries, less resistant units of sandstone, siltstone and shale eroded away, leaving the atoka formation which the white man called Sugar Loaf. Exactly where the mountain first got its name is a question nobody can answer today. The Indians called it Tonawanda or Ton-Wan-Dah. And from the top of Ton-Wan-Dah with its sparse growth of wind-stunted cedars and gnarled scrub oak they could see for miles in every direction. The Indian name, as tradition has it, was that of a family of renowned arrow makers. An abundance of flint chips and imperfect arrow heads remained on the mountaintop long after the white man arrived to attest to this storied past. The earliest white settlers who pushed through the dense forest must have called it Sugar Loaf because of the resemblance in shape to the loaves of unrefined sugar in use at that time. The survey party that was surveying the Louisiana Purchase in 1819 took note of the feature "encountered Sugar Lofe, a well-known landmark". Presumably Indians and early day travelers on the nearby Little Red River had used it as a landmark. The name of the landmark became the name of the springs to the west and the community that developed there. The community name was later changed to Heber Springs. Sugar Loaf Mountain is located on a section line, and consequently land transactions have always been conducted in two parcels. For several years, beginning in 1901, the Lucas brothers, Creighton and Richard, maintained a mining claim on the north side of Sugar Loaf Mountain, but apparently no ore or oil was discovered. In 1922 Dr. L.E. Robbins of Heber Springs bought the on the south of the mountain along with other land from Richard R. Lucas. In 1951 he acquired a clear title to the on the north side by patent from the U.S. government. In the same year of the patent, Dr. Robbins and his wife Dotte dedicated the to the town of Heber Springs in a 99 year lease. The lease specified that the land was to be used as a public park and picnic ground, the town should have the right to build barbecue grills, tables and benches and no lumber should be cut except as prescribed by the Arkansas Forestry Commission and then only by the grantors or their heirs. So the central picnic spot of Cleburne County, long treated as public property, was given to the people to use and enjoy. Climbing Sugarloaf has been a very popular pastime for generations of residents of Heber Springs and surrounding areas. It was an easy day trip for young people before the advent of the automobile. The increase of tourism due to the Greers Ferry Dam and lake has spread the popularity of the Sugarloaf adventure far beyond the local area. There have even been weddings performed on the top level. The land parcel containing the Sugarloaf mountain was obtained by Arkansas State University Beebe for the ASU-Heber Springs campus in 2005. The first phase of construction of the campus was completed in 2007. In 2007 the Sugarloaf Heritage Council was formed. The founders were Arkansas State University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Diane Tiner, Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jo Price, Sun-Times Editor Randy Kemp, Heber Springs Mayor Jackie McPherson, Joe Rath, Frank Barton, Clay McCastlain, Jeff Baggett, ASU Development DirectorCarol Johnson, and Joe Rath. The group spent many days rappelling down the side of the sheer rock to remove the extensive graffiti. Once complete with the help of over 200 volunteers, 600 pounds of trash was removed, and three trails were constructed; the Tonowanda Base Trail, the Summit Trail, and Hidden Pond Trail. In 2017 the Wildlife Trail will be completed and will connect to the Sulfur Creek Trail. Benches were constructed and placed along the trails by more volunteers, and by Eagle Scout Projects. The parking lot is now paved, and the entrance is enhanced with a beautiful green space with picnic tables. Sugarloaf Mountain is called the Jewel of Heber Springs.
The island Sugar Loaf
In the upper section of Greers Ferry Lake is another "Sugar Loaf" mesa that rises as an island in the lake. Though accessible only by boat, it is also a popular hiking destination, with a well-maintained trail: "The Sugar Loaf Mountain Island National Nature Trail," a 1.5-mile hike that reaches 1001 feet. above sea level, providing impressive views of the surrounding lake and countryside. Unlike the landlocked Sugar Loaf, the climb on the island peak is aided by a wooden staircase. Like many other locations on the lake, Sugar Loaf island is embellished by a nearby campground and boat ramp maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
