Cheaha State Park
Traveling can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days, you may question why you decided to leave the comforts of home and embark on a journey filled with uncertainty. Other days may be uneventful and leave you feeling bored and restless. However, there are also days that are filled with excitement and adventure, making you feel alive and not wanting the journey to end. The unpredictability of travel can be both challenging and exhilarating, making it a unique and meaningful experience.
I took a campsite at Cheaha State Park in the New Improved campground area. I wanted to be close to the trails in the morning. The temperatures last night got down into the low 30’s. There was a thick fog and it rained several time throughout the night. I expected there to be snow on the ground.
I slept well and didn’t want to get up. The air was cool and I was using both sleeping bag layers. I was cozy. I eventually climbed out of my cocoon around 8:30 am, made pancakes, took a shower and repacked the car. The campsite had all the hookups for an RV, including sewage, high pressure water and electrical. About twenty-percent of the sites were occupied. One guy was trying to hookup his truck to his camper about 100 yards away. He was struggling to get it to connect and was swearing loud enough for all to hear. There were other campers but the campground was silent.
I had everything packed, and headed for the Park Store. I passed several signs indicating trails, lookouts and the locations of cabins. To my left was a dam constructed of rocks featuring a waterfall. I pulled over to investigate and walked to the top to check it out. I’m often surprised by what I find but not this time. After taking a few photos, I was on my way to the store again.
As I approached the store, I came to the the Park Hotel on the left and the park restaurant on the right. There, in front of the restaurant was an outstretched view of the valley. The restaurant was closed for the season, and I pulled in and grabbed my camera. The sun was shinning on the back porch and it was significantly warmer there.
I finally made it to the store. The area around the store was the only place that had wi-fi and stronger cell coverage. I needed to plan the rest of my day in the park. I decided to do a mountain bike ride, and then some of the shorter park hikes to outlooks. The park service had a free map of the trails. I planned my my route using AllTrails, and took the combined mountain bike rountes named Deer Run, Lower Spring, Upper Spring, and Cheaha Express Loop. I made myself a turkey, avocado, lettuce and cheese sandwich and got the gear ready for the ride.
Along the way I took a wrong turn which added some distance to the ride. The route was rated moderate for hiking which made sense, but on a mountain bike, I found it very difficult at times. It was a challenge but there were parts that were so much fun. The trail cuts through bushes and which cutback forming a canopy for 3/4 of a mile. I finished around 3:00 pm.
Highest Point In Alabama
Mount Cheaha is the highest point in Alabama, reaching an elevation of 2,407 feet (734 meters). At the summit of the mountain is the Cheaha State Park Resort, which features a tower offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The tower was built in the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) program during the Great Depression. The CCC was a federal work relief program for unemployed young men that focused on conserving and developing natural resources.
Mount Cheaha has a long history of being used for communication purposes. During World War II, the mountain was used as a military communication site, and in the decades that followed it became an important location for television and radio broadcasting. In the 1960s and 1970s, several television and radio stations built transmission towers on the mountain.
Big Foot
There have been reported sightings of Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, in the vicinity of Mount Cheaha and the surrounding Talladega National Forest. These reports date back to the early 20th century and have continued through the years, with sightings being reported by hunters, hikers, and other visitors to the area. Although there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of Bigfoot, the creature has become part of local folklore and has added to the mystique of the park and the surrounding wilderness. Some visitors come to Mount Cheaha specifically to search for Bigfoot. I was not one of them.
Bald Rock
Bald Rock is a large, exposed granite dome which is estimated to be over 300 million years old, making it one of the oldest rock formations in the region. There is a very short hike via a boardwalk to the overlook for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
The Cabins Overlook
I visited the cabins area where there was an overlook and a view of the sunset. It was like a little Hobbit village.
Leaving The Park
It was a great day exploring the park. I could have spent a few more days exploring the park, but it was time to drive to Birmingham. The sun set and the was very clear as the stars began to appear.
