New caretaker welcomed to Flagg Mountain
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
Numerous individuals and organization representatives welcome new resident caretaker, Mary Thurman, to Flagg Mountain. Photo submitted
Special to the News
On Tuesday evening the Alabama Forestry Commission hosted a dinner at Flagg Mountain to welcome the new resident caretaker, Mary Thurman, to the area.
Representatives from many of the organizations who have supported the improvements on the mountain the last few years were invited to meet Thurman and hear about some of the changes and upgrades that will be coming to Flagg Mountain.
The organizations represented were the Coosa County Commission, the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Coosa County EMA, Alabama Trails Foundation, the Alabama Legislature, Wild Alabama, and the Alabama Hiking Trail Society.
State Forester Rick Oates and many from the AFC staff were in attendance to thank these groups for their participation in reopening Flagg Mountain to the public and spreading the information about Flagg Mountain and the Pinhoti Trail here in Coosa County.
The new caretaker, Thurman, has an extensive background in recreation, trails, hostels, and hiking communities to bring to Flagg Mountain. She will reside in the Rangers Cabin, and an office will be set up for the Alabama Forestry Commission in Cabin Number Two until a permanent office can be built.
As soon as the reservation website is set up, cabins one and three will be available for rent through the Alabama Forestry Commission, and more information will be coming soon about that.
The trails are open, and events like the First Friday on Flagg potluck dinners will continue to be hosted by Alabama Hiking Trail Society. The next First Friday event will be July 7 with dinner being served at 6 p.m. and will include fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.
Thurman will also be planning some weekend guided hikes once she has become familiar with the trails.
At the moment, the tower will be open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The gate to the tower road will be open only on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please park in the parking areas only. The mountain itself is open dawn to dusk; alcohol is prohibited, and pets must be on a leash.
For more information, follow the Friends of Flagg Mountain Facebook page until the Forestry Commission website is updated.