Serene Sanctuary

CRATA expands hiking trails at Yates Lake

Elmore County is home to scenic trails created and maintained by the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association, and use of the trails has skyrocketed in the past few years. So much so that CRATA is working toward opening three new paths in the 6,000-acre Alabama Forever Wild stateowned lands.

CRATA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 by local outdoor enthusiast and advocate Jimmy Lanier and friends. The group works to expand offerings to the public through trail construction, educational kiosks, signage and guided maps. Managed by a board of directors, CRATA’s mission is to increase the opportunities for outdoor activities and educate the community on good stewardship for the area’s natural resources.

Two popular trails opened in Elmore County about five years ago on Yates Lake. The John B. Scott and Railroad trails have gained popularity over the years, and CRATA board member Walt Hutcheson said any given weekend morning, the parking lots to the trailheads are packed.

“We have a sign-in log, but we estimate that less than half of people that arrive sign in,” he said. “So, we don’t know exactly how many people use the trails, but you usually see 20 to 25 cars parked out there.”

These trails run just south of Martin Dam on the Forever Wild Gothard-Yates Lake Wildlife Management Area, surrounded by pine-hardwood hills and creek valleys on Yates Lake. The Forever Wild WMA allows for hunting, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing and wildlife viewing and serves as a nature preserve for educational studies.

The John B. Scott Trail features 4.7 miles weaving along the Tallapoosa River. The Cherokee Bluffs Dam Railroad trail follows the historic railroad bed built in the early 1920s and used in the construction of Martin Dam. Hikers can choose the 2.7-mile journey to Channahatchee Creek or follow the Highline and Lowline railroads to Elmore County’s highest point, Saddle Rock Mountain.

“The first year of the pandemic when a lot of people worked from home, our trails were overrun,” Hutcheson said. “We saw a huge increase in traffic on our hiking trails because more people were outdoors.”

Over the last two years, Hutcheson said CRATA has been negotiating with the state to expand the hiking trails in three phases.

Since the area in question is owned by the state and heavily managed by the Department of Conservation, CRATA has to submit detailed plans requesting the creation of hiking trails. The plan includes a GPS track of the proposed trails, followed by an environmental study done by state employees.

“Biologists have to actually investigate if that path is good for people to walk without impacting any endangered species,” Hutcheson said. “They have to make sure we’re not going to create a negative impact on the environment and land.”

The nonprofit submitted a three-year plan and is awaiting approval on the latter two.

In the meantime, it received the greenlight on phase one, which should be complete this year. The trails will spotlight the Channahatchee Creek and shorelines of Yates Lake and the Tallapoosa River. When complete, all three phases will add roughly 12 miles of trails and connect back to the current

Serene Sanctuary

CRATA expands hiking trails at Yates Lake

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

John B. Scott route. The trails will focus mostly on the northern side of the creek, on the northside of the property.

The diversity of flora and fauna is what drew CRATA to explore the area.

“Because of the beauty of the area, especially the Channahatchee Creek, we’re doing a trail that will go up on the cliff face, overlooking the creek,” Hutcheson explained. “You’ll be able to see the rapids flowing down. It’s absolutely breathtaking.”

The trail that’s slated to cross the cliff face will also have a secondary path that bypasses the steep area for less experienced hikers.

On the 1-mile path currently under construction, volunteers ensure the hike includes a familyfriendly alternative path for hikers not wanting to complete the whole route.

“There’s a lot of coordination, so it’s not a quick process,” Hutcheson added.

While the first section of the new trails has been approved, CRATA is still waiting to hear about the other two before completing the loop. The second section has been laid out and submitted, so CRATA is simply waiting for approval to move forward. It will be next year before the third one is even designed and a few years out before the loop is completed in its entirety.

The cost to construct new hiking trails comes mostly in the form of human labor. CRATA is all- volunteer run with a list of about 20 members on call.

“On any given workday, it varies from eight people showing up to 15,” Hutcheson said. “We never know. It depends because we do a lot of work during the week, and our volunteers that are steady tend to be retired people.”

He was also quick to note CRATA is always looking for more volunteers for anyone interested in learning the ropes and offering up their time.

“We’re always looking for retired volunteers that love to be outdoors, love our trails and like to help us,” he said. “And we do find a lot of those folks.”

While Elmore County is abundant with outdoor adventure, just a few miles down the road residents can enjoy the four trailheads and routes around Lake Martin in Tallapoosa County. Overlook Park is right across the border in Dadeville and offers three trails totaling 7.2 miles. All tied together, hikers can choose anywhere from a 1-mile stroll to an intensive 7-mile exploration.

Scenic views of the lake, mountain longleaf pine, native azaleas and mountain laurel are just a few aspects of nature to note. The Overlook also has a not-to-be-missed view of Lake Martin at its parking lot, along with picnic benches and educational signage.

Smith Mountain is an iconic landmark on Lake Martin and the tallest elevation on its shoreline, sure to delight any visitor. The James M. Scott Deadening Alpine Trail is a 4.2-mile loop reported as the most challenging of them all. A crossover route offers an easier 3.1-mile hike, but the cliffs of the Tallapoosa River, the Needles Eye and Jasmine Bluff are highlights awaiting hikers.

“A lot of Elmore County folks hike these trails,” Hutcheson said.