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Trail Information
Name: What Trail ???
I had often dreamed about getting in the car and seeing how far I could drive in a weekend. This Memorial Day I decided to do just that. With only one stated purpose in mind, to bag the Alabama highpoint, I set out gleefully from New Jersey. The jury is still out on whether I will ever attempt such a feat again. It is an AWFUL lot of driving. Sure it was exciting at times. There is a great deal of beauty that can be witnessed even from the Interstate. But it was also lonely and boring too. Mile droned on into mile. Bob Seger's voice wafted into to head many times. "On a long and lonesome highway ... " And though I would curse the road, the radio and other drivers, there is something exhilarating and liberating about being on the road which made it all worth while. For me, driving long-distance gives a certain tangibility to such nebulous concepts as freedom and liberty. I felt as if I could go where I wanted and and be as I pleased (within reason, mind you). I digress. When all was said and done the numbers stack up like this: 2,741 miles in 78 hrs. through 12 states . . . Oh, and I'll give a prize to the first person who can guess what song was playing on the radio when I pulled into my parking lot at home.
The weather when I woke in a rest area outside of Montgomery is what gave me the push I needed to head to Florida. This, and a decision to drive home via the Outer Banks of N.C., would add many o' mile to my adventure. I think it proved worth it. Yet judging from the view (see left) one might not easily draw that same conclusion. But you are not me. I suppose I already had it in my head that I might shoot down to the Florida HP. But it wasn't until I woke to gray, gloomy drizzle in the rest area that I made the commitment. Ironically, I met two other "committed" folk upon arrival. Pat and Molly (from TX) were also out bagging the "peak" that day too. Hats off to ya, pardners !!!
The Sunshine State lived up to it's nickname. By the time I arrived at my destination, the sun was bearing down on the hills of the panhadle with menacing ferocity. I would later pass a bank clock that said it was 99 degrees. This led me to speculate that besides being the lowest HP, Florida can also probably claim to be the hottest!
Trail Information
Name: Lake Trail to Road to Yellow Blazed Trail
This hike proved to be a bit more challenging than my ramble in Florida, though not as much as the picture (at left) would have you believe. I began this trek on the shores of a small pond whose name escapes me. The Lake Trail (blue blazed) heads out of the parking lot and quickly begins a steep climb up this small mountain. All told it took me 3 hours to climb up and back. That was with liberal breaks, mind you. I brought a camcorder for christ sake. Without stops I could have done it a little over an hour.
About 2/3 of the way up the mountain is where the "Rock Garden" resides. This rugged cliff and its talus pile were the most interesting features at Cheaha Mountain. The cliff plunges over 100 feet and affords spectacular views. It was treat to have this view of the foothills of the Appalachians as they peter out southwesterly towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Not 100 yards from the Rock Garden the fairytale ends abruptly. No sooner did I commence my hike again, then I emerged onto a road and into a full-fledged campground. It was a shock! This is probably the most developed of the state highpoints I have traveled to. Farther along I would encounter TV towers, road construction and an ugly green building that looked like a jail. It was very anticlimatic. Rather depressing really. I think it shows on my face.
Distance: 100 feet
El. Gain: 10 ft.
Alabama
Distance: 3 miles RT
El. Gain: (+/-) 1,000 ft.
