Climbing a 90-foot-tall fire tower in a cold, stiff January breeze was a tiny bit nerve-racking. But the spectacular view from the top made it well worth the effort and was highlight of our recent visit to Smith Mountain, the highest point along Lake Martin.
At the base of the 90-foot-tall Smith Mountain Fire Tower.
Reboot partner Chris Bowden and I spent one chilly Saturday morning exploring the trails around Smith Mountain in advance of our March 1 day hike trip. Chris is the person who got me into backpacking a few years ago and has been an instrumental partner in taking Reboot from a prayer and idea into a reality. After spending a year in Kentucky, Chris and his family recently moved back to the Montgomery area and this was our first chance to hike together since his return.
After driving about an hour and a half from Montgomery, we arrived at the trailhead which is along the shores of Lake Martin west of Dadeville. Back in 2012 the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association, or CRATA, restored the fire tower and opened it to the public. This is the latest project for the group which has done excellent work over the past decade to bring quality hiking trails to Lake Martin.
We started by hiking uphill about a half mile to reach the base of the fire tower and remnants of some old buildings. Here is a little history behind the property from the CRATA website:
“Standing majestically atop Smith Mountain is the historic 90-foot fire lookout tower. Erected in 1939 as a cooperative agreement between Alabama Power Company, Tallapoosa County Forest Conservation Association and the Alabama Forestry Commission, the tower was a sentinel for locating forest fires for 40 years.
Decommissioned in 1980, the fire lookout tower fell into neglect and disrepair. The office building was dismantled along with other facilities. The property (10 acres) reverted back to Alabama Power Company and had been abused by dumping for the last 30 years.”
In late 2010, Alabama Power deeded the land and tower to CRATA which worked to repair and restore it for visitors. They have done a wonderful job.
The tower is in great condition with sturdy steps and plenty of handrails to hold on to as you ascend. The top is covered and feels strong and secure.
The view from the top of the fire tower is probably the best on the lake.
While the forest at the base of the tower is nice, views of the lake are limited by elevation and trees. But once you climb above the trees at the top of the tower, you see the spectacular scenery for miles around and gain a new and much greater perspective. It reminded me how important it is for me unplug from my day-to-day life every now and then to gain a new perspective. We live life with the down on the ground perspective but sometimes it is good to get away, focus on God and gain a much, much bigger top-of-the-fire-tower perspective.
From the fire tower, we had two options: go left for the 2.2-mile Little Smith Mountain trail or right for the 2-mile Lakeshore Trial. We opted for the Little Smith Mountain Trail and were not disappointed. After descending Smith Mountain we climbed steadily up another ridge. The trail eventually reaches the lakeshore and follows the shoreline along a hill with plenty of great views and resting spots before eventually reaching the top of what we guessed to be Little Smith Mountain. The path then winds back through the woods around to the parking area.
While the trails feature some elevation changes, most of the climbs are gradual and short-lasting. This trail is not as challenging as its Lake Martin cousin, the Deadening Trail. Just about anyone can complete this path with no problem.
All in all, this is a great recreational opportunity just a short drive from Montgomery. We’ve still got some slots available if you’d like to join us for a great half day of late winter/early spring hiking. Click here for info and registration.
Reboot Wilderness Adventures 