Lake Martin Voice Realty
Russell Forest Trail Run 2011 at Lake Martin
Attention runners (and walkers): Click here to register for the 2nd Annual Lake Martin Russell Forest Run on Saturday, February 26, 2011! If you haven’t explored the new Russell Forest Trails yet, this is a great way to experience a part of this 20,000+ acre trail system that lies a little north of Kowaliga Bridge, off of Highway 63. It’s also a good reason to make a winter trip to Lake Martin.
I had a good time running the 10K last year, so I’m signing up again. The registration website describes the terrain as “gently rolling,” but since I am used to training on some pretty flat ground, it was more than gently rolling to me. And a little chilly. But definitely a fun time. There is a 5K option this year, and you can always walk if you don’t like running. Oh – and the shirts they gave out were that cool, athletic “breathable” kind, – a step up from yet another cotton t shirt (for 10K runners only). Maybe they’ll do that again.
I’m looking for runners and walkers to join the Lake Martin Voice Realty team, and I’d love for you to sign up with us when you register.
Here’s a quick video clip from last year’s post-party
Flickr VideoI recently filmed a hike my family took on some of these trails. To get a sneak peek at the roads you’ll run, check it out:
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Lake Martin Fall Colors On Cherokee Ridge Trail
We have had a lot of beautiful clear fall weather this year at Lake Martin. Recently I was driving back from checking on a home for sale in The Village when I decided to stop and snap some pics of the fall colors.
The Village is a subdivision off of Highway 50 on Lake Martin. It is very close to Chimney Rock and Acapulco Rock and Martin Dam. So as I was driving back to my office, I passed right by the Overlook, which also serves as the trail head for Lake Martin’s Cherokee Ridge Trail system.
Since it was such a pretty day I decided to stop at the Overlook and get some pics of the fall colors, maybe even the famous landmarks of Chimney Rock and Acapulco Rock. I figured it would take a quick 30 minutes.
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I ended up taking a couple of hours, mainly because I went the wrong way on the Chimney Rock Loop Trail.
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As usual I missed a couple of pics of hawks. But this turtle could not escape my speed photography:
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I probably need to get a polarized filter or something that will help out with the color balance:
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Chimney and Acapulco Rocks look lonely in the fall:
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This boater breaks the silence:
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In the end, I was too far away from Chimney and Acapulco Rocks to get decent pictures, even with my long lens. But it was a really fun hike, and the leaves were just right.
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Click here for the entire set of pics on Flickr
Cherokee Ridge Trail – Lake Martin
To continue the post I did yesterday on Lake Martin‘s Deadening Alpine Trail, I wanted to include these photos of the Cherokee Ridge Trail.
The Cherokee Ridge Trail is also maintained by the (duh) Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association. Its trailhead is on the Scenic Overlook, on Overlook Drive off of Highway 50, just east of Martin Dam. It’s kind of near Ghost Hollow and Whiskey Ridge if you know where they are.
The Scenic Overlook offers stupendous views of Lake Martin, looking west, all the way to Kowaliga Bridge, with a little bit of a vision to the south (Martin Dam) and the northeast towards Chimney Rock. If you ever want to get a sense of the VASTness of Lake Martin, head here. Take a picnic, there are lots of little tables and lots of paved parking. From there you can drive down to Martin Dam (if the road is open) and check out the Dam close up.
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The Cherokee Ridge Trail is actually a system of trails. There are 3 that can be accessed here, The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Loop, The Chimney Rock, and the Kowaliga Bay Trails. Depending on how you hike it, you can take a 1 mile up to 7 mile hike.
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The trailhead is similar to the one on Deadening Alpine Trail in that you have a little sign in box and can borrow a staff if desired. Be sure to sign in so that they have an accurate count of visitors.
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As on all trails, please be careful and proceed at your own risk. This particular trail gives spectacular views, especially in the winter and fall when the leaves are changing colors or have no leaves so you can really see the water.
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Related Post:
Deadening Alpine Trail – Lake Martin
Yesterday I was showing homes for sale in a Lake Martin neighborhood called The Harbor. It is a development that is about eight or nine years old. It is located off of Overlook Drive, just east of the Martin Dam, off of Highway 50.
I was through around 6 PM, and the sun was starting to set. The air was cool, not very humid, basically it was perfect weather.
As I was leaving, I decided to stop by the trailhead of the Deadening Alpine Trail. It is a 3.6 mile loop trail and part of the Cherokee Ridge trail system of Lake Martin. This system is maintained by the Cherokee Ridge Trail Association. The trail runs over land owned by Alabama Power. The trailhead itself is accessed by going into the neighborhood of The Harbor, then taking a left on Long Branch. The drive to the parking lot is accessed off of Long Branch Drive:
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There is a little parking lot just for this trail:
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Here is the trailhead, they even have little bamboo staves with “Deadening Trail” written on them for you to borrow:
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Anyway the trail is beautiful, a real gem for Lake Martin, a great activity if you have never done it. I am embarrassed to say I have never tried it before yesterday, as many times as I have driven by it. The next time my family is with me, I think we will do the whole thing. I encourage everyone to become a member.
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Have you ever hiked any of these trails? Any tips for the rest of us? If so please comment below.
Related Posts:
Cherokee Ridge Trail
