The population of Mountain Community is not quite as large as it was a hundred years ago and the fields the farmers all worked are now covered in timber.  Some of the people still grow gardens for fresh vegetables, but you do not see acres and acres of corn and cotton as you would have then.  Today there are no sawmills or cotton gins, no one operates a thrasher and there are no stores.  Before television and automobiles, this small community was filled with all of these.  Families farmed and ran saw mills, gins, and stores.  It was  a time when friends were important, you did not have to lock your house and you could always count on your neighbors.

To read more on the Mountain Community, visit the website – click here.

A WI – GANA – NO TSI – WA LO SI

Unique Road Trips Through The Back Roads of Clay County Alabama

The Best Kept Secret in Alabama

We wish to introduce you to the TSALAGI Trails (pronounced Ja-la-gee meaning Cherokee Trails) of Clay County Alabama. Four unique road trips that take you through the back roads of Clay County and for some, to places you have only dreamed about.  We are pleased to announce that these trails were featured in the November 2006 issue of Southern Living Magazine.  Click here to read the article, Off The Main Road, © 2006 Southern Living.

Clay County, as well as the whole State of Alabama, is rich with its American Indian influence in place names, rivers, creeks, even mountains. Just look around when your visit us.  Names like Wedowee, Talladega, Mt. Cheaha, all Indian names. Other names include Chinnabee, Tallapoosa, Ketchepedrakee, Wesobulga, Emukfaw, Enittachopco, Enitachopko, and Tallasseehatchee.

Any one of the four TSALAGI Trails provide a great day trip from Birmingham, Montgomery, Columbus, LaGrange, or Atlanta. Many who have already experienced the TSALAGI Trails call them the “Best kept secret in Alabama.”  Now, we want you to discover the secret, too.  All of the trails offer interesting scenery, plenty of photo opportunities and adventures you will share with family and friends and probably your grandchildren one day.

To review each trail’s route, click on the trail name below. Here you will find turn-by-turn directions.  We also offer for sale a full-color map that shows all four trail routes and the surrounding area. C ost is $3.00.  To order yours, contact the Clay County Chamber of Commerce at 256-396-2828 or send a check or money order for $3 to The Clay County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 85, Lineville, AL, 36266. Specify you want the TSALAGI Trail Map.  We thank you for your interest and order.

Go to the trail routes – click a trail:

GANA ( Ga-nah) Turkey
WA LO SI (Wa-low-see) Frog
NO TSI (No-Gee) Pine
A WI (A-wee) Deer

What others have to say about the Clay County TSALAGI Trails:

“What a great way to spend a weekend close to home.” MGB Club, GA

“Fun, fun, fun … we ride motorcycles every weekedn and wish more counties offered bike routes.” M.L., Atlanta, GA

“Fording a creek! My kids thought it was great.” L.B., GA

“Thanks for the great trails. Gives us a reason to drive our street rods on weekends.” L.V., Anniston, AL

“Had no idea Alabama was this beautiful … TRULY the best kept secret in Alabama.” D.J., Atlanta, GA

0.0 miles     1-20, Exit 191 onto US 431 South * RV PARKING *

3.7 miles     Turn right onto 281/Skyline Drive go to the “T”, turn left onto Skyline Drive

6.2 miles     Scenic Overlook

7.1 miles     Side trip to Abel. Take off-ramp to Abel, and go left 1.8 miles on right to King Gold Mine and local campgrounds. Return to Scenic Drive to continue on trail.

11.2 miles    Scenic Overlook

13.4 miles    Turn left onto Hwy 49 South

16.9 miles    Nubbin Creek Trail head on right. Walking Trail

19.4 miles    Turn right onto County Road 31 South

23.8 miles    Turn right onto Clairmont Springs Road, County Road 12, continue 10.7 miles

25.4 miles    High Falls Trail Head (walking trail) and waterfall on right

34.6 miles    Turn left onto County Rd 130 Idaho Road

40.6 miles    Turn left onto Hwy 77 South

44.0 miles    Downtown Ashland and junction of Hwy 77 S and Hwy 9 N. Historic Courthouse Square, Art Gallery and shops. Continue the trail on Hwy 9 to Lineville

50.5 miles    Lineville – gas, food

54.4 miles    Barfield – Cole Store on left

60.2 miles    Delta – gas

67.8 miles    Turn left onto Hwy 431 North, 4 way stop – gas

69.7 miles    Side trip option: Take County Road 11 W to County Road 24 W to Abel Gap, Camping, and King Gold Mine

72.4 miles    Junction of Hwy 431 and Skyline Drive Hwy 281

76.5 miles    I-20 back to start of trail

0.0 miles     Depart on Highway 9 from Lineville, AL to Blakes Ferry Road (service station)

5.0 miles     Berwick Road (swimming hole)

6.4 miles     At Cragford Road/Highway 895 turn right at stop sign (straight ahead swimming at Flat Rock)

7.4 miles     Side road to Harris Dam and Observation Platform

9.4 miles     Downtown Cragford

10.3 miles     Turn left at stop sign. Old Cragford High School (County Road 30)

19.3 miles     Turn right at stop sign onto Highway 49 South

20.3 miles     Mellow Valley (service station)

23.4 miles     Turn right onto Catfish Road (mile marker 57)

24.0 miles     Red’s Catfish on left (listed in “100 Places in Alabama to Eat Before You Die”

24.8 miles     Turn left at “T” stop sign

26.4 miles     Turn right at stop sign, road T’s

27.7 miles     Stop sign continue to the right

30.0 miles     Bluff Springs (Patterson’s Store) Turn left onto Bluff Springs Road

30.3 miles     Turn right onto Bishop Road

31.3 miles     Turn right at the “T”

33.9 miles     Turn left onto Big Springs Road (church)

37.2 miles     Turn left onto Highway 9 South

39.0 miles     Turn right on slaughter Mill Road

41.5 miles     Turn right at “T” onto Pleasant Hill Road

43.5 miles     Turn left at stop sign

44.0 miles     Turn right at the “T” onto Mines Road then proceed straight ahead at stop sign

46.0 miles     Turn right at the “T” onto County Road 5

46.1 miles     Turn to the right at the “T” onto Highway 77

48.4 miles     Downtown Ashland continue straight at traffic light on Highway 9 North

57.2 miles     Lineville – Back at start. Run time 1 hour 45 mintues.