This cache is part of the Red Rock Trail (RRT) Series, a series of caches in Jefferson County highlighting the lesser known greenways and trails that help make up the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System. This system idea was developed by the Freshwater Land Trust with a masterplan of 750 miles of interconnected trails within Jefferson County. Right now, the RRT System has a little over 120 miles and is growing each year.
This cache is located on the High Ore Line Trail. The High Ore Line opened in 2015 and is an elevated rail trail/greenway that extends for just under 2 miles between Doctor M.L.K. Dr and Wenonah Rd. Parking for this trail is located at the Western Health Center parking lot, and the trail can be accessed by a short ¼ mile sidewalk along Doctor M.L.K. Dr. The trail is paved and wheelchair accessible with beautiful views of the local community and Birmingham’s Valley Creek.
Prior to being a trail, the High Ore Line operated as a railroad grade that Tennessee Coal and Iron used to transfer ore from Red Mountain to their furnace in Ensley, but the rail line was rendered obsolete when the last active ore mine on Red Mountain closed in 1962. Now the line serves as a pedestrian multipurpose trail with a promising future as Freshwater Land Trust and the City of Birmingham collaborate to build an extension trail that will connect the southern portion of this trail to Birmingham’s Red Mountain Park.
Permission to place this cache on the High Ore Line right of way granted by the Freshwater Land Trust. For a comprehensive map of the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System consult: http://freshwaterlandtrust.org/find-a-trail/