Along with other members and volunteers of the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA), I am increasingly excited about the information to be showcased at the Smith Mountain Outdoor Environmental Education Center. Many of the graphic panels and kiosks will describe the nature around us, but CRATA also wants to dedicate space to the fascinating history of the Lake Martin area, including Smith Mountain and how the historic fire tower came to be.

When viewed from Sandy Creek on Lake Martin, the jagged peak of Smith Mountain looks like an ancient volcano. In terms of feet above sea level, it hardly qualifies as a mountain, but it dominates the local landscape, is the tallest elevation on Lake Martin and would have looked even more impressive before Martin Dam backed up the water around it.