Cherokee County Geo-Tour - ChamberMaster

Cherokee County Geo-Tour

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and residents know how lucky they are to live, work, and play in an area of Alabama that includes bountiful farm country and lush mountain ranges surrounding a beautiful lake. This GPS tour will take you to historic sites, geological wonders, and popular recreational areas.

You may decide to visit these locations at your leisure in any order you wish. However, if you want to get them all in a day, be aware that the journey could be more than 80 miles that will start in Centre and go completely around the lake as far north as Little River Falls and south of Centre to the country club. Hints and notes are listed at each site to help you along your journey as you travel from one site to the next.

Access a Google Map with all the locations at goo.gl/rzs8Yc or use the QR code to the right.

Search for the codes on a special marker at each location. Record the codes on this brochure.

When you finish the tour with all the codes, return your list to the Chamber of Commerce or the Cherokee

County Museum to receive your Cherokee County Pathtag. Alternately, you may submit your answers online and receive your pathtag through the mail - goo.gl/f6Xnk8.

If you are a geocacher, you will find geocaches (listed on this tour guide) at or near many of the locations.

Enjoy your tour!

More Information: Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce - cherokee-, (256) 927-8455, info@cherokee- Like us on Facebook ? CherokeeCounty Chamber Alabama Cherokee County Historical Museum - , Like us on Facebook ? Cherokee County Historical Museum Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail (AHBT) - Geocaching ?

Site 1: Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, 801 Cedar Bluff Road, Building A, Centre (located adjacent to Gadsden State Community College) Visit the Chamber of Commerce for maps and brochures of area attractions. GPS Coordinates: N 34 09.884, W 85 39.836 Geocache: GC5GG7D ? Welcome to Cherokee County, AL Code: ________ (hint-display) ROUTE NOTES: From the Chamber of Commerce, proceed northeast on Hwy 68/9 towards Cedar Bluff. The next Site is 3.6 miles on the causeway to Cedar Bluff.

Site 2: Weiss Lake Overlook/Causeway Boat Ramp, Hwy 68/9 ? a site on the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail (AHBT) A great location for a photo shoot. This is an awesome place for views of some of the most amazing sunsets you'll see on the lake. GPS Coordinates: N 34 12.119, W 85 37.310

Geocache: GC223K7 ? Beautiful Sunsets Code: ________ (hint-sign) ROUTE NOTES: Continue to Cedar Bluff and stay straight on Hwy 9 for 3.5 miles. Turn left onto CR 92 which turns into CR 251. Follow signs to Cornwall Furnace.

Site 3: Cornwall Furnace - Historical Site ? CR 251, Cedar Bluff Tour the furnace and discover the history. GPS Coordinates: N 34 14.828, W 85 35.304 Geocache: GC434B9 ? Cornwall Furnace EC; GCW0WK ? Cornwall Furnace Code: ________ (hint-post) ROUTE NOTES: Go back to Hwy 9 and turn left. The historical marker is 2 miles on the left.

Site 4: Historic Marker ? Forrest Defeats Streight ? Hwy 9, Cedar Bluff

Discover what happened on this location during the Civil War.

GPS Coordinates: N 34 14.057, W 85 32.423

Geocache: GCG0KK ? Here and There in Cherokee (Stage 1 of a multi-cache that will take you to three other locations in Cherokee County ? one of which is on this tour. Be sure to get stage two and three before going on your journey because it requires you to go back to Centre ? then you can pick up this tour at site 4. The final coordinates will come up later in this tour.)

Code: ________ (hint-sign)

ROUTE NOTES: Head east on Hwy 9 for .3 miles; turn left onto Hwy 25 and continue 14 miles to Little River Falls on the left.

Cherokee County Civil War Facts:

Colonel Abel D. Streight surrendered to General Nathan Bedford Forrest on May 3, 1863 in Cedar Bluff. With less than 400 men, Forrest captured almost 1500 Union soldiers before they were able to destroy the foundry and machine shops in Rome, Georgia which produced guns and ammo for the Confederate Army.

There was a small battle between Streight and Forrest at Blount's Plantation, somewhere near the Etowah County line as Forrest chased Streight through Cherokee County.

During his occupation of Cherokee County, General William Tecumseh Sherman seized the home of Dr. Lawrence in Gaylesville where the town doctor treated wounded Union soldiers in exchange for not burning his home. The house is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War homes still standing in Cherokee County.

General Sherman attempted to destroy Cornwall Furnace but only succeeded in dislodging about 6-8 feet of quarried rocks from the top.

Site 5: Little River Falls ? Hwy 35, Gaylesville Little River Falls marks the beginning of the Little River Canyon. Little River flows for the most of its length atop Lookout Mountain and offers some of the most breathtaking views.

GPS Coordinates: N 34 23.705, W 85 37.561

Geocache: GC1CZEH ? Little River Falls (Earthcache)

Code: ________ (hint-sign)

ROUTE NOTES: At this point, you could choose to travel the 11 mile Little River Canyon Parkway (Hwy 176-about 17 miles) curvy, scenic route along the canyon rim or Hwy 273 (about 14 miles) which would be a shorter route (Hint: If

you take the parkway route, you will want to switch sites 6 & 7 on the tour to avoid backtracking ? go to Orbix Hot Glass and then to Canyon Mouth Park.)

Site 6: Canyon Mouth Park ? Hwy 273/CR 275 ? Little River Canyon Preserve (AHBT) There is a $3 user fee per vehicle and it is open from 8-5 Monday through Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Canyon Mouth Park is a popular picnic and swimming area. GPS Coordinates: N 34 17.157, W 85 40.968 Geocache: GCZ60Y ? Little River Crossing on the TAG Code: ________ (hint-tree outside of gate) ROUTE NOTES: Use your GPS to get to the park and glass studio ? according to the route you took down the canyon.

Site 7: Orbix Hot Glass ? 3865 CR 275, Fort Payne You wouldn't want to miss this glass art studio that features the most extraordinary handmade glassware you will ever see. The gallery is open 10-4 Tuesday-Friday and 9-1 on Saturday. The Hot Shop hours are typically until noon on Tuesday-Saturday. Call for details (256-523-3188) or check their website for more information () GPS Coordinates: N 34 17.926, W 85 42.281 Geocache: GC5GMX2 ? Orbix Hot Glass Code: ________ (hint-fence) ROUTE NOTES: Head to Hwy 273 from either the park or the glass studio to arrive at Yellow Creek Falls.

Site 8: Yellow Creek Falls ? Hwy 273, Leesburg The falls can be seen from Hwy 273 but the falls is actually on private property ? it is often viewed by boat from the lake. You will be able to see the piers of the abandoned TAG Railroad Bridge still standing in the lake. There is a parking area and boat ramp where many locals come to fish. GPS Coordinates: N 34 13.399, W 85 43.516 Geocache: GCG8MP ? Yellow Creek Falls Cache (accessible only by water); GC2FC2F ? Ethan's First Cache Code: ________ (hint-platform) ROUTE NOTES: Continue to travel down Hwy 273 to Hwy 68 approximately 3.6 miles ? turn right. At the top of the mountain make a hard left turn onto Valley Street (CR 36) and another left onto Rock City Avenue (CR 70) which winds

to the right to continue to Cherokee Rock Village ? approximately 10 miles.

Site 9: Cherokee Rock Village ? CR 70, Sand Rock/Leesburg (AHBT)

A popular recreation area for rock climbers, Cherokee Rock Village is a great location for a picnic and offers some of the most spectacular view in the county. Enjoy walking among the massive outcropping of sandstone boulders by beware of the slithery creatures. There is a small entry fee to enter the park.

GPS Coordinates: N 34 10.929, W 85 48.772

Geocache: GC248HH ? Little Rock City; GC32H1F ? Natural Arch at Cherokee Rock Village Park (Earthcache)

Code: ________ (hint-sign)

ROUTE NOTES: Go back to Hwy 68 via Rock City Avenue and Valley Street. Turn right on Hwy 68 towards Leesburg. Go straight at the intersection of Hwy 68 and Hwy 411 in Leesburg. The boat ramp is at the dead end of Riverside Street. Approximately 8.5 miles total. (At this point, you have traveled approximately 46 miles if you took the shorter route to Canyon Mouth Park or more than 70 miles if you took the scenic canyon rim route.)

Site 10: Leesburg Landing ? Riverside Street, Leesburg

A great place to view Weiss Lake below the dam, Leesburg Landing offers a boat ramp, fishing pier, nature trails, and RV park.

GPS Coordinates: N 34 09.645, W 85 45.904

Geocache: GC20HTT ? ce-da-R(iver); The Ole Stumpy Series ? seven caches beginning with #1 GC2QEFS

Code: ________ (hint-pavilion)

ROUTE NOTES: From Riverside Street, turn right onto Hwy 411. Turn right onto CR 7 and right again on CR 20. Turn right into the entrance of the power plant. Approximately 7 miles to the dam.

Code: ________ (hint-back of sign)

ROUTE NOTES: Take CR 20 into Centre turn right onto Hwy 411. Turn right again onto Hwy 9 and travel approximately 3 miles to Cherokee County Country Club. This section of the tour is approximately 13 miles.

Site 12: Cherokee County Country Club ? CR 382, Centre A semi-private 18 hole golf course. GPS Coordinates: N 34 06.661, W 85 39.064 Geocache: GC2XRCM ? Chief of the Club Code: _______ (hint-base of sign) ROUTE NOTES: Hwy 9 North will take you to the final site. At the intersection of Hwy 411 and Hwy 9, turn left onto Main Street. Approximately 3.5 miles.

Site 13: Cherokee County Historical Museum ? 101 East Main Street, Centre Plan to visit the museum during the hours of 8:30-4:00, Tuesday-Saturday. Admission to the museum is $3 for adults and $1 for children 7-12 (under 6 is free.) Learn more about the historical sites you have visited through this geo-tour. GPS Coordinates: N 34 09.122, W 85 40.723 Geocache: GC5FQ21 ? Cherokee County Historical Museum Code: ________ (hint-entrance) ROUTE NOTES: CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the Cherokee County Geo-Tour. We hope you have enjoyed your tour and geo-adventure! (You have traveled more than 95 miles around Cherokee County if you took the scenic route along the canyon.)

Site 11: Weiss Dam ? CR 20, Leesburg (AHBT)

Weiss Dam began as a story of energy but has become an important means of flood control, recreation, and economic opportunity for Cherokee County.

GPS Coordinates: N 34 07.943, W 85 47.635

Geocache: GC223Z4 ? Making Power

Code Summary Site 1: Chamber of Commerce & Tourism ? CODE _______ Site 2: Weiss Lake Overlook/Causeway Boat Ramp ? CODE _______ Site 3: Historic Marker ? Forrest Defeats Streight ? CODE _______ Site 4: Cornwall Furnace ? CODE _______ Site 5: Little River Falls ? CODE _______ Site 6: Canyon Mouth Park ? CODE _______ Site 7: Orbix Hot Glass ? CODE _______ Site 8: Yellow Creek Falls ? CODE _______ Site 9: Cherokee Rock Village ? CODE _______ Site 10: Leesburg Landing ? CODE _______ Site 11: Weiss Dam ? CODE _______ Site 12: Country Club ? CODE _______ Site 13: Historical Museum ? CODE _______ Name: ______________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Return this sheet to the Chamber of Commerce or Museum to receive your Pathtag. Or submit online through this form: goo.gl/f6Xnk8

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