Happy Trails

Mount Cheaha's Spectacular Mountain Laurel Display

Mountain Laurels show off their pink blooms in May along the trails at Cheaha State Park. One trail inside the park bears the name, Mountain Laurel Trail. The trail thick with blooms meanders around a creek surrounded by the low growing trees and shrubs. After 1.4 miles the trail opens to a rock garden with an overlook of the wilderness of Talladega National Forest.

The park features the highest point in Alabama (2,407 feet), overlooking Cheaha Wilderness. The mountain range locates at the southernmost tip of the Appalachian Mountain chain. A portion of the Pinhoti Trail System runs through the park and eventually crosses over into Georgia.

Explore where you are and enjoy the mountain tops.

Take a swim in the pool and enjoy the mountain wilderness views. A balcony wraps around the mountain next to the pool area. This balcony draws sunset watchers on cloudless evenings. Imagine floating in the pool watching the sunset in the mountain range and hearing the forest come alive with night critters.

Wilderness as far as the eye can see settles the soul. Like an ocean view, it’s hard to describe the vastness. Many tiny green leaves make up the whole green of the forest. In the ocean each water drop makes up the body of water. The Rumi quote comes to mind admiring the vast wilderness or waters.

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”

―Rumi

After spring rain waterfalls come to life. Rushing water resonates while winding down the trails of rocks and roots, then a waterfall appears. Cameras out to capture the natural beauty. Take a pause, be mesmerized by the waterfall. Being fully present in the moment. It’s a beautiful thing.

Trail races simulate a tour guide for runners. The course is marked with flags and signs along with hundreds of other runners following each other. Aid stations await with fluids and snacks. Wearing a race bib increases safety in case you get lost, people know you are out there.

Cheaha State Park offers a venue for several trail races each year. Mt. Cheaha 50k occurs each February. This race starts at one of the gaps trail head winds through the forest and empties out halfway at another gap. Runners gather aid then head back into the trails along creeks, overlooks and to Cheaha Lake. An aid station at the lake prepares runners to finish the race that includes a difficult hike up the Lake Trail, lovingly known has “Blue Hell”. This climb takes runners to the highest point and then to the finish line. The race being a point to point is a favorite 50k in Alabama.

Happy Trails!

Jill

Photos by the author.