Keel Mountain (Alabama)

Keel Mountain is a mesa in Madison and Jackson Counties in Alabama. It is associated with the Cumberland Plateau, which it is separated from by the valley of the Paint Rock River. It is named for early pioneers Jesse and Priscilla (Whitaker) Keel, who settled there from North Carolina prior to 1810.

For other uses, see Keel Mountain (disambiguation).
Keel Mountain
Keel Mountain is located in Alabama
Keel Mountain
Keel Mountain
Madison / Jackson counties, Alabama, US
Highest point
Elevation1,204 ft (367 m)[1]
Coordinates34°37′11″N 86°20′42″W[1]
Geography
LocationMadison / Jackson counties, Alabama, US
Topo mapUSGS Grant

Keel Mountain Preserve

A 310 acre nature preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy is located on the west side of the mountain's south-facing slope.[2][3] Within the preserve is a two-mile trail that leads to the Lost Sink, a small waterfall that flows into a large sinkhole.[4]

The preserve was established to protect the federally-endangered Morefield's leather flower.[2][3][4]

Bethel Spring Nature Preserve

A 360 acre nature preserve managed by the Land Trust of North Alabama is located on the south side of the mountain. The preserve has four short trails, that total under 2 miles in length. The preserve contains a large waterfall, one of the largest in Madison County.[5]

In 2021, the United States Department of the Interior added the Bethel Spring Recreational Preserve Trail System to National Trails System's list of National Recreational Trails.[6][7]

References
  1. "Keel Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
  2. "Keel Mountain Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. Paris, Kyle J.; Burgess, Kevin; Wright, Amy N.; Boyd, Robert S. (September 2016). "Reproductive Biology of the Federally Endangered Clematis morefieldii Kral (Ranunculaceae)". Castanea. 81 (3): 175–185. doi:10.2179/15-062. JSTOR 26353984. S2CID 88659619. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  4. Brookus, Nicole (22 July 2020). "Hike Keel Mountain Preserve". Huntsville.org. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  5. "Bethel Spring Nature Preserve". Land Trust of North Alabama. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  6. "Secretary Haaland Promotes Outdoor Recreation, Designates Ten New National Recreation Trails - Office of Communications (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Natinal Park Service. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  7. Roop, Lee (4 June 2021). "Three north Alabama trails added to national list of special places". AL.com. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
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