Hiking_AL-38

Start: North side of Overlook parking lot

Distance: 2.5-mile loop

Hiking time: About 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy over rolling hills

Trail surface: Dirt footpath, very little paved trail

Best seasons: Year-round

Other trail users: None

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Land status: National military park

Nearest town: Alexander City

Fees and permits: None; donation requested

Schedule: Trails open year-round 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; visitor center open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Maps: USGS Buttston, AL; DeLorme: Alabama Atlas & Gazetteer, page 39 D8; trail map and brochure available at visitor center.

Trail contact: Horseshoe Bend NMP, 11288 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Daviston, AL 36256; (256) 234-7111; www.nps.gov/hobe

Finding the trailhead: From Alexander City at the intersection of AL 22 and Madison Street, take AL 22 east 12.8 miles. Turn right onto Hamlet Mill Road and travel 4.7 miles. The park entrance will be on your left. Turn left into the park and stop by the visitor center before you start. Continue past the visitor center 0.1 mile to the Overlook parking area. The trail begins here on the north side of the parking lot. GPS: N32 58.832' / W85 44.093'

The Hike

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, located just east of Alexander City, is a quiet and serene park operated by the National Park Service. The park is off the beaten path, so for the most part you won’t be encountering big crowds (the only exception is when the park hosts its living history days), which gives you plenty of opportunity to take your time and enjoy, and experience, the history and beauty of the park.

The park itself is located at the elbow, or “horseshoe,” of the Tallapoosa River. The spit of land within the horseshoe would ultimately be the site of a major battle that brought an end to the Creek Indian War that ran from 1813 to 1814. Sadly, it would also see the removal of many of the Creeks to the plains and the acquisition of their land by the United States.

Before we hit the trail, a little history lesson. When Europeans arrived in North America, they bartered heavily with the Creek Indians and began a long and trusting partnership. The partnership was strengthened following the American Revolution, as the Creeks signed an agreement with the fledgling country guaranteeing their right to their land.

Through the years leading up to the Creek War, many of the tribes in the South followed US Indian Agent Benjamin Hawkins and his programs for improving their way of life, especially in agriculture. By 1810, however, a split erupted between Creek tribes, separating them into two factions. One tribe, the Red Sticks, believed in Indian nationalism and feared the growing expansion of white settlements into the South. In 1813 a group of Red Sticks were told erroneously that war had broken out between the United States and the Creek Nation. Upon hearing this, the Red Sticks attacked and murdered several frontier families.

A Creek tribal council captured, convicted, and executed those who were involved in the murders, but Red Stick Chief Menawa vowed to eliminate everyone connected with the executions and remove white influences on the region. And with that, the Creek War began.

Battles were fought throughout the region. General Andrew Jackson was in charge of US forces, but despite outnumbering the Creeks in every battle, Jackson could not bring a decisive end to the war. The situation became worse in July 1813 when a group of Creeks ambushed a Red Stick ammunition train. In retaliation, the Red Sticks attacked and massacred 250 settlers in Fort Mims, located just outside of present-day Bay Minette.

The war raged for two years, until it moved to this location, which was called Cholocco Litabixee (horses flat foot) by the Creeks, Horseshoe Bend by the United States. Most of the battle was fought by 2,000 men of a Tennessee militia and 600 allied Cherokee and Creek Indians. By the end of the battle, 1,000 Red Sticks were dead, and soon after, this land was ceded to the United States.

The park trail takes you through some interesting scenery and key sites of the battle. Be sure to pick up a free brochure at the visitor center before starting, which describes the exhibits and the battle in more detail. Also ask the park ranger to see the fifteen-minute video that gives an overview of the battle and the park. The trail passes most of the exhibits in the park that describe the battle. The exhibits contain text panels describing what to look for and benches, and each has a roof over it for a little shade.

The hike is a very easy 2.5-mile loop over gravel and dirt footpaths about 3 to 4 feet wide through white oak, hickory, chestnut, and dogwood trees, and along the banks of the Tallapoosa River. Families of white-tailed deer share the path with hikers.

Admission to the park is free, but a donation is requested to help maintain the facility.

0.0	Start at the Overlook parking area. The trail begins as a paved path on the north side of the parking lot.
0.1	A short, 50-foot walkway takes you to the overlook above the battlefield. An informational kiosk is here. When done viewing, head back to the main trail and turn right (southeast). Here the path is crushed gravel as it heads into the woods.
0.4	Walk alongside a nice seasonal stream on your right. In 100 feet cross the stream over a 20-foot wooden bridge and again in another 100 feet.
0.5	Cross the stream twice more over wooden bridges.
0.6	Pass a bench. Start seeing the Tallapoosa River to the left (east).
0.7	Pass another bench and a better view of the river to the left (east). Young bamboo plants grow here.
0.9	Cross an old dirt service road to the southwest (a brown post with a very small black arrow points the direction in front of you). In 200 feet pass a bog on your left.
1.0	Come to a large open field on your left (east) side. The trail skirts the edge of the field to the southwest before heading back into the woods.
1.3	Pass another bench just before crossing the paved tour road to the northwest. In 300 feet come to a parking lot and walk along the north side of the lot. The trail continues on the west and is once again paved for a short distance.
1.4	Arrive at the Village Overlook. After viewing and reading, turn left and continue on the dirt and gravel path to the north.
1.6	Cross a footbridge over a ditch, then cross the paved tour road to the north. You will hear the rushing waters of a long set of shoals in the distance.
1.8	Pass a bench.
1.9	Cross the paved tour road to the southwest. Here in the field across the road white poles mark “The Barricade.” After crossing, follow the south side of the parking lot and rejoin the trail (now a paved path again) to the north.
2.0	Arrive at an exhibit overlooking the battlefield. In 100 feet to the northeast, view the grave of Lemuel Purnell Montgomery. The trail turns left here at the exhibit (north).
2.1	Come to the battle monument. Continue on the dirt and gravel footpath to the southwest.
2.3	Pass a bench.
2.5	Arrive back at the trailhead.

Hiking Information

Local Information

Tallapoosa County, 125 N. Broadnax St., Dadeville, AL 36853; (256) 825-9242; www.tallapoosa.infomedia.net

Local Events/Attractions

Battle of Horseshoe Bend Reenactment, 11288 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Daviston; (256) 234-7111; www.nps.gov/hobe. Held the last weekend of March, the reenactment is an educational experience featuring living history exhibits.

Accommodations

Wind Creek State Park, 4325 AL 128, Alexander City; (256) 329-0845; www.alapark.com/windcreek