Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Ike Maston Trail is a dirt and rock path that is labeled as being “most diffi-
cult.” There are some pretty steep and long grades to tackle. The good thing about
these climbs is that they take you away from the crowds that use the more level
mining roads. The trail was named for one of the last miners to work on the moun-
tain when it closed. (You can hear Mr. Maston tell his story in an oral history on
the Red Mountain website, www.redmountain.org/park-overview/oral-history-pro-
ject.) The BMRR South Trail is a nice, level path that was once a mining road that
will lead you back to the trailhead.
The highlight of the hike is the Redding Shaft Mine and Hoist House that you'll
find near the intersection of the Songo and Ike Maston Trails. The mine, which
has been sealed off, was a 400-foot-deep shaft mine that was in operation from
1917 to 1927. The electric-powered hoist house helped haul the ore from the mine
and is a beautiful mission-style structure.
As I said, this is only one of many possible loop hikes in the park, but be fore-
warned: Be ready for some crowds on the weekend! This is one popular park. The
facility regularly holds runs and walks for fun and charity, and it's well used by
the locals. On the day I visited, I had to park a good 0.75 mile from the trailhead
on Frankfurt Drive.
Alabama is the only state that has all of the natural resources
to make iron and steel. And when it comes to production, the
state is the largest supplier of cast iron and steel pipe in the coun-
try.
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