January 18, 2009; Bald Rock
I took a drive down to Mount Cheaha State Park today to eat a cheeseburger on top of Alabama’s highest point, Cheaha Mountain, and then another at Bald Rock, just to the north-northeast at 2,326 feet according to the topo maps. Bald Rock is the second highest point in Cleburne County. I have made the quarter mile walk from the parking lot for the boardwalk, which was built all the way to the summit, once before and again I found myself quickly exiting the boardwalk to walk the trail which runs alongside. Bald Rock Lodge can be seen just to the right as you enter the parking lot for the boardwalk. The lodge was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and served as the park Hotel. It was renovated in 2002/3 and is now available for large group rental. The views at this summit were much better than experienced earlier this morning. As I ate my cheeseburger here, I snapped a photo of the pleasing view and watched buzzards and hawks glide right in front of me in the windy conditions. Completely surrounded by the Talladega National Forest, this is Alabama’s oldest continuously operating state park, first opening in 1933. A nominal fee of $1 is required at the park entrance.
Photos:
A shot of the disappearing cheeseburger at the rock outcroppings on the summit.
