Four Hikes,Heat & Humility

eastern Alabama

This trip will lead me on a 14-day tour of eastern Alabama, western Georgia and a slice of Tennessee.

A much more detailed account of the trip can be found at AmericanVanLife.com

Heat and hiking on the first two days of this trip took its toll on me and Joey. I woke up this morning at the High Falls trailhead. A perfect solitary boondocking experience.

hIGH fALLS

After cleaning up, an early morning meal and a stroll with Joey around camp, we prepared for the morning hike to High Falls with and extension on Odum Scout trail for a total of about 8 miles. Within the first half mile we started climbing along the creek.

oDUM sCOUT tRAIL

A few short rests, we continue on the Odum Scout trail, which should lead us to two impressive overlooks. After we left the stairs behind, the trail was actually fairly easy, but the constant rise in elevation was starting to affect us both.

sHOPPING

We got back to the van in time, before the rain intensified. So I decided to drive to the small, nearby town of Lineville to restock my food supply.

Cheaha Scenic Overlook

After the rain stopped, I enjoyed a wonderful sunset and decided to stay overnight. It was an out-of-the-way location and besides a few locals that evening, I was alone all night.

Cheaha Mountain State Park

It was only a few miles the next morning, to Cheaha Mountain State Park and I had another three hikes on my list. Cheaha Mountain is the highest point in Alabama. The peak hosts a wonderful tower, built by the CCC (Civil Conservation Corps) in the thirties.

Cheaha Mountain Express Trail

A short hike along one side of the mountain and while it was a comfortable hike to start the day, nothing spectacular.

Bald Rock Overlook Trail

Barely half a mile away is the most interesting boardwalk today, to Bald Rock Overlook. At the end of the trail, a rock outcrop affords unobstructed views of the landscape below us and with Joey, I spent some time relaxing, before returning to the van.

Morgan Lake

Close to Morgan Lake, the last trail of the day had bad parking, very close to the road. After moving to the nearby lake, I concluded that the added distance was too much and I rather wanted to enjoy a quiet afternoon by the lake.

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