Trailhead sign
The dream of constructing a trail from the Lula Lake property to Cloudland Canyon State Park on Lookout Mountain came true on Friday when the final section of the Cloudland Connector Trail was thrown open to the public.
A celebration was held at the state park at the new trailhead for the 14-mile trail that also features miles and miles of side trails.
Among those taking part were Bobby and Elliott Davenport, who helped assemble much of the land for the project that is already seeing wide use by both hikers and bikers as well as those on horseback.
The trail passes along a large section of the old Durham mines property that was finally auctioned with much of it going to the Lula Lake Land Trust.
A group of dedicated volunteers, led by SORBA, constructed the trail.
Local foundations helped provide funding.
The final section opened Friday goes from the Ascalon Trailhead on Ascalon Road to the state park.
Its chief feature is a high bridge over the scenic Bear Creek.To construct the bridge over the remote creek, a construction road was built from Scenic Highway.
Trail visionaries now are setting their sights on making it possible to walk on a continuous pathway from the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge to Cloudland Canyon.
One key section is due to start soon - the Riverwalk from Ross's Landing Park to the foot of Lookout Mountain at St. Elmo.
A connection is also needed from near Covenant College to the Cloudland Connector.
Bridge over Bear Creek