Cherokee Ridge Trail

[Lostsheep]

Just a quick question...has anybody hiked the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail near the Martin Dam on Lake Martin?

I have a trip planned there for 10mi on Sat with the scout troop. The website is a little bare on some of the trails and conditions, so I was hoping some of you may have hiked it or had more info on it.

I should have a trip report posted on it by Monday or Tuesday of next week though.

Thanks.

[Lostsheep]

That's the spot BearLeader...tha nks!

Now, see if you can dig up something on the "Deadening Trail". That's the one we're going on. It's only about 7mi so they are going to loop onto another trail to pick up the 10. I'm just completely unfamiliar with the area!

Thanks. Hopefully PastorLarry will chime in.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Hey,

After you guys hike these trails, make a trail guide for us to use, I beg you!

[Lostsheep]

I will. I have a topo printed out and supposidly there's a map at the TH to follow. I'll take the GPS, get points, and do the best I can. Hopefully it'll work.

I hate going places that I don't know about!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Lostsheep,

That's funny, because I'm the exact opposite!

[McDowra]

Lostsheep,

That's funny, because I'm the exact opposite!

yep I'm with ya on that

[Chris]

I have hiked on a trail near Martin Lake a few years back around this same time of year. I don't remember what trail it was. Nice scenery and was very pretty. Tons of ticks though.

[Lostsheep]

Ok, so we're back. We did 7 miles of the trail - the Chimney Rock trail, and then planned to hit the 3mi "Deadening Trail", but the sudden storm stopped us in our tracks. Instead we packed up and headed home.

I posted a trail journal, hopefully everyone will be able to read it and enjoy it.

We did note that the only place to obtain a map is from the kiosk at the top of the trail head, there are 4 trails and they all connect with each other outside of the trailhead. By following all of them, the total length becomes 7mi. There are several overlook sites, however lots of the trees have reached heights to cover the views. The trail had a good bit of debris on it, either from previous hikers, or boaters who stop there for the day.

Very nice. I would however recommend going when it's cooler!

[LakeMartinVoice]

that is a great trail.  I also like to hike it in the fall and winter, because with the leaves down, you can really see Lake Martin.  You are really high up right there, near Martin Dam, so you can see for miles.  Super views.

There are also some trails that Russell Lands has created over in the highway 63 area.  Take the Willow Point Cutoff Rd just south of Ourtown, it's on the left. 

For more info see my blog at http://www.lakemartinvoice.com for Lake Martin area info and real estate news.

John C

[Nalgene Ninja]

Cool! I think we've got our 1st spammer! 

[ednotmilkman]

i wouldn't call "lakemartinvoice" a spammer, since he did reply directly to the question of the original post.  I hiked this trail a while back, but was with a Sierra group so I didn't pay any attention to where exactly we went or how far. 

[Lostsheep]

LMV, you're right, hiking in the summer was tough to see the views...I will definitely go back in the fall/winter.

[Magic City Matt]

Cool! I think we've got our 1st spammer! 

Nahh, everything is cool.  If the spammers catch on to my tricks I'll just change the tricks. Everything he posted is relevant. I have no problem with members pushing their business on here. So long as it may be beneficial to the membership. It would most likely be best not to push those limits too hard though.

[PastorLarryT]

Hi Lostsheep,

Sorry I've been off the site for a little while and missed your post.  Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail (all of them together or in any part) are very good trails.  Views are best in cooler months, without so much foliage.  Ticks can be a problem during the summer months as well.

The Deadening Trail is much more difficult than the other trails, but the views are wonderful and the hike is adventurous!  I DO NOT recommend taking young children on The Deadening Trail.  Trails go up close to the edge on the high bluffs and there are some difficult (though short) trail climbs and descents. 

Most of the time I have found that the Trailhead kiosks DO NOT have trail maps.  There are usually trail description sheets but no maps. 

One thing to note, the trails are blazed IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY.  This is normally not a problem because the trail is easily followed.  The Deadening Trail though can be difficult to follow in reverse if your not familiar with it.

If you need more info, just send me a PM and I'll be glad to help anyway I can.

Agape.
Pastor Larry

[Rigormortis]

I am one of the original four that started this trail about four years ago.  We have approx. twelve miles of trail built as of this post.  We are trying to aquire additional land east of the original trail to continue the trail up to twenty miles.  The Chimney Rock Trail is a two mile trail that would be ideal for a scout troop or any novice hikers.  Fall is the best time to hike these trails, beautiful folage, and Lake Martin.

[Rigormortis]

Hiked the first two and one half miles of The Deading Trail today, (Part of the CRATA Trail System) trail appears to be in good condition after Faye, only some small limbs that we removed as we hiked the trail.

[Rigormortis]

Hiked the Chimney Rock Trail on 31 August 2008, only found a couple of blow downs, nothing that you cannot go around. (Chimney Rock Trail is part of the CRATA Trail System).