On the 4th of November 2019, an entourage of CRATA directors and friends enjoyed a special visit to Flagg Mountain in Coosa County.  Flagg Mountain is the southernmost 1,000+ foot peak in the Appalachian Mountain range and the start of the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail.  In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a stone fire lookout tower and cabins.  Restoring this complex and making the grounds available for public use is a project of the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Hiking Trail Society.  Legendary long-distance hiker Sunny Eberhart, a/k/a Nimblewill Nomad is the full time caretaker and lives in one of the CCC cabins.

Contact the Pinhoti Outdoor Center on Flagg Mountain for more information on this wonderful Alabama outdoor destination.

Phone: (205) 202-9525  Email: pinhotioutdoorcenter@gmail.com

Friday, October 25, 2019

Jim Scott may be most widely known for his fabulous gardens that are often featured in magazines and TV shows.  But he is also a wonderful fan of CRATA.  He has provided significant financial support, land, and use of his gardening personnel and equipment to enhance our trails.  The weather cooperated long enough this afternoon for a dedication ceremony, naming the James M. Scott Deadening Alpine Trail in his honor.  Jim is on the left beside his equally famous older brother John B. Scott.

CRATA recently had a workday at Smith Mountain to put up the kiosk that will house the recognition plaques for Tower Restoration Donors and Exhibit Donors. We are so thankful for all who have contributed to our efforts in so many ways. The kiosk top was built by Mike Kane and Lindsay Taylor Kane.

Workers for this day included Jimmy Lanier, Harold Banks, Jerry Bynum, Cheryl Bynum, Fred Worsham IV and John Prophitt. Also a couple of unlucky hikers that happened by just when muscle was needed to hoist the top up onto the posts.

Thanks to all for a very productive day at Smith Mountain!

A crew of around 30 CRATA supporters heeded a call to action on the morning of Saturday, March 23, 2019, to pickup decades old trash that had been dumped on an old section of Goldmine Road. This section of Goldmine road, no longer open for public access, is now part of the Alabama Forever Wild property at Yates Lake and makes up part of CRATA’s John B. Scott Forever Wild hiking trail.

The trash was not only an eye sore for our hikers, but also a blight upon this beautiful wilderness area and the views it offers of Yates Lake and the Tallapoosa River. Our heart felt thanks goes out to our volunteers that tackled this important task and also to our major partner, Alabama Power Company for hauling the trash out of the area!