Coosa County High Point Trip Report
Date: March 5, 2004
Author: Bill Jacobs
This report covers two of Coosa's three areas, Terrapin Hill and Locust Mountain.
The two routes described here have no signs indicating ownership or restricting access.
These areas should be avoided during hunting season. The hikes were
spent in the company of Fred Dale whose observations of local fauna and plant
life made the trip a most enjoyable experience.
Terrapin Hill
From Stewartville, proceed south on US Route 231 about four miles to CR56.
Turn right for 3.5 miles to a four-way intersection. Turn left for 2.3 miles.
Turn left again for 0.3 mile to an intersection with a gated road heading uphill to
the northeast. Terrapin is roughly a 2.5-hour round trip hike from this point.
Follow the topo maps and bear right at the first intersection 100 yards up the
hill from the gate. The highpoint is a few feet off the road to the right.
Locust Mtn
Access from US Route 231 to the WEST is possible through the forest roads of
International Paper. Written permission is required from their main offices in
Prattville, AL. They suggest starting the process a week in advance.
Keeping current on the correct contact phone numbers is not possible,
as the individuals responsible for granting approval appear to frequently change.
An approach from the EAST is a viable alternative avoiding the administrative hassle
of having to get permission.
From the intersection of CR41 and US Route 280 (east of Stewartville and south
of Sylacauga), proceed southeast on US 280 for 3.55 miles to a non-descript dirt
road leading uphill to the right. The road makes a left turn at the top of the
hill and follows a power line providing a good place to park, out of sight of
Route 280.
From here, cross a steep ravine and climb up to the 1065T point indicated on the
topo map (33° 4' 18" N, 86° 10' 40" W), NAD27 datum.
Although not shown on the topo, a good road from this knob will take you under
the high-tension lines all the way to the high point.
Much of the surrounding forest along the road is new-growth
with the usual heavy bushwhacking so finding the road early on will certainly
make the hike less aggravating. The road brings you to a point about 0.2 mile
north of the high area. There are intersecting roads that in a roundabout way
lead to within a 100 feet of the high point.