Ride Our Nation’s Trails: Part II
Explore
Alabama’s National Forests from horseback.
By
Georgia Brown
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Pack
up your gear and head for Alabama’s National Forests,
667,000 acres of forested coastal plains and mountains punctuated
by sparkling streams and wooded trails. In the three national
forests with horse trails, riders will be rewarded with flashes
of nearly hidden waterfalls and gentle climbs that end at
ridges with panoramic views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
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Alabama
leads the South in National Forest restoration, a plan that
returns the land to its natural state before it was changed
by decades of clear-cut logging. The plan will create open
woodlands of mixed pine and hardwoods carpeted with native
grasses that are visually appealing and more conducive to
camping, hiking and wildlife.
Tread lightly on the trails and you’ll find you are
sharing the forest with 900 species of birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians and fish. Quiet areas may reward the hiker or
rider with glimpses of deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and
if you are lucky, rare, endangered or sensitive species
such as gopher tortoises, flattened musk turtles and the
red-cockaded woodpecker.
Spring and Fall are considered the best times for horseback
riding; however, in rainy periods there can be trail closings,
or muddy trails. Fortunately mud doesn’t bother most
horses—they just plod through it.
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William B. Bankhead National Forest
The Bankhead National Forest on the Cumberland Plateau offers
101,000 acres laced with a labyrinth of long canyons, deep
gorges and more than 100 waterfalls—20 of them large—cascading
from bluffs that often rise to 100 feet. The forest is also
particularly rich in cultural heritage sites including bluff
shelters that were inhabited by Native Americans.
The Bankhead National Forest Health and Restoration Project,
initiated two years ago is removing stands of loblolly pine
devastated by beetles and replanting native short and long
leaf pine in the southern half of the forest. Gradually
young oaks will emerge from old root stock to create a natural
mixed pine and hardwood forest.
1.
Black Warrior Horse Trail System
Located in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, the
Black Warrior Horse Trails were specifically designed with
input from riders. The 30 miles of horse trails include
the Pine Torch Loop, the Brushy Loop and the Key Mill Loop.
These trails are laid out in loops of 6, 11 or 12 miles,
which provide the option of choosing from short rides easy
enough for beginners to those requiring a well-conditioned
horse. Wide trails are suitable for wagons and cross-country
carriages.
If you come for the day, there is an access point and parking
area at Pine Torch Trailhead on US 246 off of Highway 33.
If overnight camping is your style, the Owl Creek Horse
Camp is near the Key Mill Loop of the trail. Hikers and
Trail riders like Owl Creek Horse Camp for its proximity
to sandstone cliffs and native hardwood forests of hemlock,
poplar and oak. The horse camp now has potable water and
improvements that are supported by modest fees for day use
and camping.
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2.
Sipsey National Wilderness
Riders in the Bankhead also have the choice of exploring the
Sipsey Wilderness area where 13 miles of horse and hiking
trails offer solitude and isolation as part of the backwoods
experience. It is the largest wilderness area east of the
Mississippi River and one of the South’s greatest treasures.
Two rivers, the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River and
Brushy Creek, flow through this unique ecosystem. Sometimes
referred to as “the land of a thousand waterfalls,”
the Sipsey supports a vast range of plant life and offers
outstanding opportunities for bird watching. Part of the official
Alabama Bird Trail passes through the region. Motorized vehicles
are not allowed anywhere in the wilderness; however, primitive
camping, hunting, and fishing are permitted. |
A horse trail in the Sipsey National Wilderness. |
Little River Canyon National Preserve
Sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the East, the Little
River Canyon Preserve is an ideal area for horseback riding
and other recreational activities.
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3.
Little River Canyon Back Country Area
On the trails of the Little River Canyon System, riders cross
the high plateau country of northwest Alabama, which is known
for its long seasons of blooming mountain flowers, waterfalls,
sandstone cliffs, and upland forests that are ablaze with
color in fall.
The Little River flows atop Lookout Mountain, which is not
really a mountain but a plateau that extends into Georgia
and Tennessee. |
A breathtaking view of the Little River Canyon. |
The canyon has 19 miles of multi-use trails shared by horseback
riders and all terrain, 4-wheel drive vehicles (permit required).
Up on the bluffs there are breathtaking views of the Little
River and the spectacular Southern Appalachians. Trails
are wide, over rolling terrain with some climbs past boulders
and rocks to the rim of the canyon. From March to June,
the woods are blanketed with mountain laurel, trillium,
wild azaleas, lady slippers and many varieties of wild rhododendron.
The trail to High Rock is a popular day trip leading to
an ideal picnic spot with a view of the surrounding mountains.
The Little River Trailhead is easily accessible.
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Talladega
National Forest
Central Alabama's Talladega National Forest covers 375,000
acres at the southern edge of the Appalachians. Before it
was bought by the federal government in the 1930s, the area
that comprises the Talladega was extensively logged and
represented some of the most abused, eroded wastelands in
all of Alabama. Pine forest regrowth now hosts a diverse
eco-system. |
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The
Talladega National Forest is physically separated into two
areas, and divided into three Ranger Districts: The Oakmulgee
District, the Shoal Creek District and the Talladega District.
The northern section of the Talladega offers the richest
mountain experience with views of 2,000 foot peaks. The
trails wind around the highest points in Alabama near Mount
Cheaha and are challenging for horse and rider.
5.
Shoal Creek Horse Trail System
The
Shoal Creek Horse Trail System has 37 miles of loop trails
that are well marked with horseshoes painted blue, white
and yellow. The most difficult is the18-mile Piedmont
Loop. The 14-mile long Sweetwater Loop and the 4-mile
Short Loop are suitable for most riders. Trails and dirt
roads intersect each other at several points. To avoid
a mistake and inadvertently taking a longer ride than
expected, use the maps that are available at the Ranger
Station.
The
Warden Station Horse Camp, located at the trail head,
has 45 first-come, first-serve, primitive campsites. There
is a vehicle fee and access to hot showers for a modest
fee. Bring small bills for exact change. Call ahead and
check for trail advisories and closings on some weekends
during hunting season.
Tuskegee
National Forest
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The Tuskegee National Forest on the Coastal Plain is the
smallest of Alabama’s National Forests. The forest’s
topography is level to moderately sloping, broad ridges
with stream terraces and broad floodplains.
6. Bold Destiny/Bedford Cash Trails
There are 14 miles of trails in the northeast half of the
forest that are open to hikers and riders exclusively. Trails
cross streams and wind through long leaf and slash pines
in sandy, gently rolling terrain with elevations up to 300
feet. |
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The horse trails were designed with input from members of
the War Eagle Horse Association and are still maintained
by volunteers and horse enthusiasts today. Trails were named
for Bold Destiny, the horse ridden by the group’s
first president, and the district ranger at the time, Bedford
Cash. Three primitive, first come, first serve, campsites
near the horse trails will accommodate horse trailers, but
you should bring water for all of your needs. Call the Forest
Service Office for maps and permit information.
Trails
End
The
national forests in Alabama, created in the early 1900s,
are managed for multiple recreational uses today. Some trails
are designed for hikers and horseback riders exclusively;
others are also used by hunters and motorized vehicles.
In the fall hunting season weekends are crowded. Riders
should call the ranger stations to check for optimum times
to use the horse trails.
Networking
with other trail riders who have traveled before you is
the best way to enjoy a new trail. But be prepared to be
surprised by twisting trails and old road beds that may
lead to a stunning hollow sprinkled with wildflowers.
If
primitive camping in the woods is not your style,
there are many places that offer comfortable accommodations.
You can bring your own horse and ride with fellow
equestrians at: Bear John Hollow Ranch in Asheville,
Circle S Stables in Beaverton, Fort Rucker Equestrian
Center, KC Ranch & Stable in Double Springs, Riverbend
Trail Ride in Myrtlewood, Seven Springs Lodge in Tuscumbia,
Walls of Jericho in Hytop, Faye Whittemore Farms in
Jasper and Cherokee Trailride in Cherokee.
There
are several outfitters located near wildlife management
areas that will rent you a horse or let you saddle
up your own mount: Holly Springs Stables and Shady
Grove Dude Ranch in Mentone, Doublehead Resort or
3-H Stables in Huntsville, Apple Hills Cabins near
Andalusia, Heart of Dixie Trail Ride in Troy, Hidden
Creek Ranch in Sterrett, Tannehill Trails in McCalla,
or Oak Hollow Farm near the coast in Fairhope.
To learn more visit the Alabama tourism site at www.800alabama.com. |
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Georgia
Brown is a freelance travel writer who frequently
writes about horses. She raised horses for several
years and learned many life lessons while competing
in dressage and distance trail riding with a gentlemanly
Arbian Stallion that live to the ripe old age of 33.
She currently lives in Sarasota, Florida. |
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