Making a splash on Flagg Mountain, new southern terminus of Pinhoti Trail

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

Email

Submit

← Back

 

 

 

 

By Christa Jennings

Senior Staff Writer

 

Dignitaries, hikers and visitors made a splash at Flagg Mountain in Weogufka last Thursday, in more ways than one.

The Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Trails Foundation joined with others to celebrate the recognition and designation of the historic observation tower at Flagg Mountain as the official southern terminus, or “Mile 0,” of the Pinhoti Trail on October 2.

Described as “a pivotal moment for Alabama’s outdoor recreation community,” a large crowd gathered atop the mountain in Weogufka to attend the dedication ceremony and take part in marking the momentous occasion.

The ceremony included a ribbon cutting and an unveiling of a survey marker highlighting the trail’s starting point. Additionally, the event served as a way to celebrate reliable water coming to the mountain and also revealed new signage providing details for the trails found both on Flagg Mountain and the full route of the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama.

Remarks were given by state and local officials, including State Forester Rick Oates, from the Alabama Forestry Commission; Paul DeMarco, president of the Alabama Trails Foundation; Billy Pope, assistant deputy commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and Grey Brennan, deputy director of the Alabama Department of Tourism.

Pinhoti Trail Chaplain David Lyons gave an invocation. Other notable attendees from the state level included Sen. Clyde Chambliss and Mark Tuggle, chief of staff to Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter of the Alabama House of Representatives.

“Flagg Mountain is more than just a beautiful peak; it is now the definitive starting point of a 350-mile journey that links Alabama’s wilderness to the Appalachian Trail,” said DeMarco. “This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we commit to preserving and improving our natural assets for public enjoyment. The heavy lift you see here today from the Alabama Forestry Commission has provided a real starting place for the Pinhoti Trail. Not just a sign at a trailhead, but a meaningful connection to our built environment, to our history as a state and to the Appalachian Mountains on which we are standing.”

The Pinhoti is the state’s longest footpath and the official hiking gateway to Appalachia. Flagg Mountain is the southernmost Appalachian peak in Alabama, standing at 1,156 feet.

The Civilian Conservation Corps., or CCC, built the iconic stone tower in the 1930s, and it was utilized as a fire lookout for many years. Restoration efforts over the years have returned the tower to its status as a landmark of Flagg, and visitors can once again climb to the top of the historic tower for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Now the historic tower will also serve as the iconic beginning of the Pinhoti Trail, welcome news for Coosa County and for the hiking community and outdoor enthusiasts.

Following remarks from recognized guests, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy sampling the fresh water and explore improvements to the trail, including a guided stroll starting at the newly designated “Mile 0” of the Pinhoti Trail.

While access to water might be something many take for granted, it is a welcome sight and much appreciated asset at Flagg Mountain. The crowd celebrated this major infrastructure project, which just recently culminated in the successful installation of a Stewartville Water Authority extension to the mountain’s summit.

This is the first time in approximately 90 years that Flagg Mountain’s facilities have had potable, reliable running water, since the CCC originally constructed the tower in the 1930s. This is welcome news for hikers, campers and Park Manager Mary Thurman.

Regarding the new map signage officially released at the dedication event, signs for both Flagg Mountain trails and the Pinhoti Trail are now available, providing further support for trail users.

The Flagg Mountain signage features a map of all the trails found on Flagg Mountain, highlighting the mileage for each trail, the connections and trailheads.

The full Pinhoti map signage unveiled the Alabama Trails Foundation’s latest iteration of the complete Pinhoti Trail map, incorporating roadwalks, shelters and trailheads. This helps provide a glimpse into the trail at its new official starting point.

Officials have expressed hope that the combined improvements will not only attract more visitors to the mountain, boosting local tourism in Coosa County, but that it will also serve as “a strong base for the countless volunteer hours necessary to maintain the trail’s beauty,” according to the Alabama Trails Foundation.