Does anyone have a list of possible resupply points on the Alabama Pinhoti. I know about the store at Cheaha State Park but was wondering if there are any other convenient places to pick up a few groceries and such.

Thanks.

Does anyone have a list of possible resupply points on the Alabama Pinhoti. I know about the store at Cheaha State Park but was wondering if there are any other convenient places to pick up a few groceries and such.

Thanks.

Helflin, AL at mile marker 71. http://hmtc.org/the14dayhike.html

That's what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

Tentatively I'm planning on hiking the Alabama Pinhoti south from US 78 at the north end of the Talladega National Forest; probably start out December 11 and would like to wind it up at Porter Gap on December 24. The dates are very tentative and based on whether a buddy can make it or not. I'd be more comfortable starting a little earlier and getting home a little earlier so as not to crowd the Christmas holiday, but that hasn't been ironed out yet. If anyone's interested post or shoot me a PM.

Just make sure youve got your Blaze Orange on! Im waiting til March to thru the Pinhoti so as not to interfere with any hunting season!

Have fun. I hiked the entire thing Jan/Feb of 2000 and it was damn cold. Still had ice and snow on the mountains when I started. But it was a great hike.

Have fun. I hiked the entire thing Jan/Feb of 2000 and it was damn cold. Still had ice and snow on the mountains when I started. But it was a great hike.Hmmm, being as the 'Bama Pinhoti is about the same latitude as 'Lanter * I wasn't anticipating much in the way of snow or ice. I was planning on bringing warm winter woolies, so that's no problem, but do you think traction devices are in order? I've used a pair of Yak Trax in the Smokies before but never thought I'd need 'em in Alabama. :eek:

The order to "have fun" is heard, understood and will be complied with.

* for those of you that don't speak Southern, 'Lanter = Atlanta

Well there was this ice storm up around there the end of January 2000 (some of y'all in the area may remember it) and I went up there a couple days later. I don't think that is the standard weather.

I was dang cold for days. I was up around Cheeha (sp?) when it finally broke back into the 60s during the daytime. I got so hot after acclimating over the previous week that I was burning up. I stripped naked and sat on one of those cool rock overlooks and chilled out some.

I would do it again in a heart beat. Dang nice walking. I had a great time. You should too.

I dont know what it is about central Alabama, but the winds sure do blow differently here that anywhere else. I have been on Cheaha in January and could hardly stand still due to such high winds. It was all I could do to not be blown over. I live north of the 'Ham, and its calmer here, but downtown Ham is horrid! The winds just whip down the streets.

I returned to Cheaha in June and August, and tho it was warmer obviously, the winds were still gusty. I just dont get it...

I think you two may be refering to McDill Point and the walk along that bluff north of McDill. Yep, been some kind of wind or breeze every time I've been there. Maybe it's the orientation of the ridge to the prevailing winds? Anyway, there's that one rock outcrop just north of the plane wreck, the one looking almost due west; an absolutely awesome spot to catch the sunset the one time I could spend the time to do that.

Did an overnighter in that area last February. Got good and cold, and the wind was just whipping over the bluff. Hopped over the ridge, found a small holler and was snug as a bug. Plenty of firewood, too.

It's the couple of experiences I've had around Cheaha State Park that's giving me the itch to see the rest of the Pinhoti. Seems to me that as long as you go with the flow and blend in with the locals the 'Bama Pinhoti is tough to beat for mild winter hiking.

Seems to me that as long as you go with the flow and blend in with the locals the 'Bama Pinhoti is tough to beat for mild winter hiking.

ssssshhh! don't want to spread the word too much! :D

(I grew up in Talladega, and make it over to the Pinhoti at least once a year....).

I highly reccomend a hike on the Pinhoti for someone wanting to do a shake down before a thru-hike. You can hike it in winter and use about the same level of gear you will need for the AT in spring, plus the terrain and vegitation is so similar to the AT.

I've had a sneaking suspicion that the Pinhoti might make a great shakedown hike. Bearing in mind that I'm not prepping for a thru, I'm just taking advantage of a break in employment, I do see a few substantial differences, though. The ones I can see are
fewer shelters
resupply is a little more complicated
doesn't have any 1,000' grades
but those things would make it a better shakedown cruise IMHO. Get the kinks worked out of your gear, figure out what you really like to eat on the trail, get some experience with setting and breaking down your shelter, get the trail legs going, etc. On reflection, I'm surprised more AT hikers don't use it for a prep hike.

I just finished hiking all of the Cheaha Mtn trails this weekend. It was fantastic. I think the side trails off the Pinhoti should not be missed if you are hiking thru this area. That said, they are not well marked and with all the leaves down its easy to loose the trail.

Had my orange on but I only saw 2 hunters over the course of 5 days. Don't think they venture far from the roads. Some of those trails are hard enough with a light pack never mind a 200lbs dead deer. Turkey season might be another matter.

The weather was great, except for the winds as someone previoulsy posted. It tended to get windy from about 11pm til 9am. One night I campped on top of a ridge and it got windy but I can't complain the view was incredible.

I would like to thru hike the Pinhoti in the Spring and see what it looks like with the leaves on the trees.

I would think it would be easy just to stash stuff along the route as you drive to your starting point.

I'm new to AL and have been going somewhere almost every weekend, trying to learn my new state. I have been posting reviews over at SGT Rocks forum.

I'm looking at Solo's trail journal and I'm getting some good stuff, but he mentions leaving a vehicle at the Cave Spring Police Dep't. Anyone used that option, got a contact number, hours, etc? Contributions gladly accepted.

FWIW, looks like I'm getting on the Pinhoti Wednesday, 6-12-06, or Thursday, if I can get my act together. My world has changed and I'll be hiking north, probably from Porter Gap and winding up in Cave Spring GA

What time machine will you be using? (starting 6-12-06) but posted today, 12/4/06....

What time maching will you be using? (starting 6-12-06) but posted today, 12/4/06....Busted. Is 12-6-06 better?

ALhikerGirl: I will be hiking from the FL trailhead north come April. I would love it if you could share anything of importance with me after you have done your hike. Thanks, Sue
www.trailjournals.com/hammockhangerGET06/

Busted. Is 12-6-06 better?

Let us know how it went Two Speed, would love to get a current report

Are you starting at the new section 9 and going to the ATA section?

I am going to hike it north bound over xmas, still havent worked out my vehicle arrangement yet.

Let us know how it went Two Speed, would love to get a current report

Are you starting at the new section 9 and going to the ATA section?

I am going to hike it north bound over xmas, still havent worked out my vehicle arrangement yet.Not quite. Started at Porter Gap, which at the north end of Section 9. Couldn't get a map I liked the look of and felt that I had enough navigational issues at Cave Spring, so I choose to save that section and any others added for later. I will be hiking the ATA section and a couple of miles on the Georgia Pinhoti before I get to my vehicle.

FWIW, parking lot at Porter Gap is still "closed." You can get into the gravel lot, but it's posted as closed so I don't think I'd leave a vehicle there. I parked my pick up at the Cave Spring Fire/Police Dep't. If you're doing the whole enchilada shoot me a PM; I may be able to help, depending on scheduling, etc. Will be back in town Thursday or Friday of next week.

Happy Trails!

Two Speed,

Thanks I'll keep in touch, I may wait til spring, I'm still up in the air.

Just noticed you live in Marietta, I used to live there, on Burnt Hickory just near the Battle Field Park. Also lived in Buckehead for a while, that was fun, don't think my liver could take it anymore though. Nice area, I loved GA, hoping to get back there in 2 yrs.

Sean

Just got back from the Alabama Pinhoti. Hiked from Porter Gap to Cave Spring, GA. Previously I had said that the Pinhoti differed from the AT in
fewer shelters
resupply is a little more complicated
doesn't have any 1,000' grades
Unfortunately I appear to have been wrong two out of three times. The trail clubs have constructed two new shelters, and while 1,000 grades aren't common on the Alabama Pinhoti, there are enough to give a good workout.

Couple of notes:

Solo's "14 Day Hike" (http://www.hmtc.org/the14dayhike.html) recommended the HoJo in Heflin. I'm not so sure about that. The motel is there, but the owner's seem to have a "relaxed" attitude about maintenance. I'm not going to trash them, nice enough people and all that, but frankly, Tiamalle, in Franklin NC, keeps his older facilities cleaner and in better shape. If I do the Pinhoti over again I'll check to see if other accomodations are available in Heflin. "Nuff said.

BecWayne's FoodLand in Heflin does not accept credit cards. Seeing as only one resupply is required having the $40 or $50 in cash ready is no big deal, unless you're counting on using your credit or debit card. They don't take checks, either. The selection is adequate, but not fancy by any stretch of the imagination. Kind of like a small town on the AT.

The Texaco next to the HoJo carries both the isopropyl and methyl Heet, so resupplying fuel for an alcohol stove is no problem. I don't think there's an outfitter in Heflin so fuel for a propane stove could be a problem.

Heflin is not an easy "trail town" as it's somewhat spread out; getting around without a vehicle racks up walking time. However, Heflin is the best spot for a mid-point resupply, so that's just one of those little things.

The trail itself goes through some very beautiful scenery and is well worth the effort on that basis alone. As Sgt Rock said, this trail would be a GREAT shake down hike. It ain't the AT, but the terrain is tough enough to make you appreciate light weight gear and make you think about what you're choosing to carry. I think 10 to 14 days on the trail is sufficient to get a hiker accomodated to trail life, loose a little weight and get their gear sorted out.

The trail is easy to follow in the Talledega National Forest, but navigation can be challenging north of Hwy 278 to the Georgia/Alabama state line . Portions of the Georgia section from the state line to Cave Spring are not completely finished; the trail bed hadn't been constructed for a good part and only had surveyor's flagging for blazing. In addition, the trail abruptly ends on a dirt road, with no directions to indicate the best route into Cave Spring. I got lucky and ran into some folks on horseback who were kind enough to arrange a lift for me, but without that piece of good luck I could have been wandering around for a while. Not the end of the world, but could have been a problem if I had run completely out of food and fuel.

I found Solo's "14 Day Hike" extremely helpful in planning my trip, but evidently things have changed on the Georgia end since he hiked the area so I'd recommend a little research on that section if you plan on hiking that portion. It appears the Georgia club is actively building trail in that area, so be advised that things are changing in that neck of the woods.

Last, because it's located pretty far south it's feasible to hike the Alabama Pinhoti with pretty much the same sleeping bag and clothing a hiker'd want to start the AT.

At the Cave Spring, GA end I cannot say enough good things about the folks there. You can park your vehicle at the Cave Spring Fire/Police Department, provided you call the city in advance and don't mind leaving your key with the Fire Department. Personally I was pleased to have my pick up stashed at a reasonably safe location. The city will not guarantee the security of your vehicle, but I doubt there's a more secure place to park a vehicle in that area.

Long story short: I had a great time hiking the Alabama Pinhoti and there are several sections I'm going to have to revisit just to see the scenery again.

. In addition, the trail abruptly ends on a dirt road, with no directions to indicate the best route into Cave Spring. I got lucky and ran into some folks on horseback who were kind enough to arrange a lift for me, but without that piece of good luck I could have been wandering around for a while. Not the end of the world, but could have been a problem if I had run completely out of food and fuel.

I will be hiking this in April... If I am not lucky enough to have some horse folk show up what info can you supply me so that I am not WANDERING around.

Thanks, Sue

Good assessment Two Speed. I didn't re-supply on the trail - started with 12 days of food (for me and my dog - what a load!) and finished still holding 2 days supplies. Add to that, this was before I started unloading weight (Minnesota Smith may have approved of my pack back then), so it was a harder work out than it should have been.

That said, doing a re-supply like you have is another way to practice a long hike. Walking and camping is one aspect - trying to figure out how to get re-supply is another. One thought - did you find the PO in town? Since I haven't been there, I wouldn't know. But it seems that a mail drop might helps solve some of the money and walking issues in town.

Currently that section of the Georgia Pinhoti ends on a dirt road. To ID the location you come out on a set of cross-tie steps, with a substantial gate on your right, if you're heading north. Turn left and hike to GA 411 and take that into Cave Spring. I went right and would have wound up on GA 100, which will also take you into Cave Spring if you turn left on GA 100. The problem is that the shoulder is pretty narrow on GA 100 and there are a LOT of logging trucks using that route. Like most loggers them boys is making time, if you get my drift. Not good from a safety stand point.

I can't give you the exact route along GA 411 because the fella that gave me a lift choose to use GA 100.

I know this sounds like I'm bailing out on your question, but given the fact that the Georgia club is actively building in that area I'd recommend doing a little more research on the internet and follow up with ground reconnaissance. I took a sloppy attitude that I'd figure it out, and things did work out, but the folks I talked to said that area ain't healthy for aimless wandering. Evidently they're having problems with meth labs in the area so some of the folks around there aren't as friendly as the people I ran into.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help, and good luck on your hike.

good report Two Speed - are you going to post it over on the Hiking Alabama BBS ( http://alabamatrail.org/forum/index.php ) also ?

. . . One thought - did you find the PO in town? Since I haven't been there, I wouldn't know. But it seems that a mail drop might helps solve some of the money and walking issues in town.Mmm, getting a little tangled here. My last post was intended to answer HH's question.

To get answer your question, there's a PO on Hwy 9 as you hike to the HoJo, if you choose to stay there. The PO was on the left side of the highway and the FoodLand is on the right if you're heading south. I didn't stop in the PO, but it looked brand spankin' new. Had I realize a mail drop was an option I might have gone that route. I was almost heart broken when I discovered FoodLand didn't carry my preferred brand of ginger snaps. Oh, the agony!

Another point for you, Sergeant: I think it's going to be interesting to see how the area around the new shelters responds to the concentrated activity in the area. Personally I'm not so sure building those suckers was the best use of time and energy. They're well built and good looking structures, but the jury's still out as far as I'm concerned.

good report Two Speed - are you going to post it over on the Hiking Alabama BBS ( http://alabamatrail.org/forum/index.php ) also ?Mmm, ain't getting any less tangled, is it? Next, I'll take compliments from you and Sgt Rock as high praise. Ya'll probably need to quit before my head swells too much.

To answer your question, I didn't know there was such a critter. I'm not the hottest thing on a computer so I'll have to look into the BBS and see if I can figure it out.

The shelters I remember were the standard 3 sided affairs like on the AT. I remember 2 or 3 of those style. I stayed in one of them, thinking it would be a little warmer - ouch.

Then there was the monstrosity up on Cheaha. That was defiantly too much.

The shelters I remember were the standard 3 sided affairs like on the AT. I remember 2 or 3 of those style. I stayed in one of them, thinking it would be a little warmer - ouch.

Then there was the monstrosity up on Cheaha. That was defiantly too much.Don't remember a shelter on the Pinhoti in Cheaha. I haven't seen it, but there's supposed to be one on the Chinabee Silent Trail. Is that the one you're referring to or did I manage to miss a large structure on the trail? I was making time through Cheaha State Park but I didn't think I was going that fast. Or maybe the Blue Mtn Shelter? FWIW, the only shelter with a loft that I recall is the Blue Mtn Shelter, but technically Blue Mtn isn't within the state park boundary.* The rest of the shelters were three sided.

Also, thanks for the nudge on resupply. There is a grocery store in the state park so a minor resupply is an option. That's covered in Solo's trail journal.

*I did have to check my map for the exact location of the Blue Mtn Shelter, so I'll admit to playing dirty pool.

Don't remember a shelter on the Pinhoti in Cheaha. I haven't seen it, but there's supposed to be one on the Chinabee Silent Trail. Is that the one you're referring to or did I manage to miss a large structure on the trail? I was making time through Cheaha State Park but I didn't think I was going that fast.

It has been almost seven years since I was there, but as I remember it, there was a side trail off the Pinhoti that led down to it. I was southboud on the Pinhoti, and the shelter was on a trail to the left between Blue Mountain and the paved road you cross the paved road that leads to the top of the mountain. The shelter didn't have water on it, that was back up a few hundred yards further south on the Pinhoti from the shelter turn off. But the shelter was one of those two story sleeping loft sort of things.

Thanks. Now I'm really gonna make sure I'm not wandering around. And to think all I was worried about was turkey hunters!!!!

Thanks. Now I'm really gonna make sure I'm not wandering around. And to think all I was worried about was turkey hunters!!!!

We got you covered at the AL/GA line. Say the word, and you'll have an escort.

We got you covered at the AL/GA line. Say the word, and you'll have an escort.Count me in.
. . . But the shelter was one of those two story sleeping loft sort of things.Yup, that's Blue Mtn, and I can confirm that you must pick up water before the shelter, if you're planning on staying there. There's a couple of streams between the highway and the shelter if you're headed north. Things were pretty dry, but those streams were running well the week before last.

FWIW, there was a knoll just before the shelter that cried out for a camper, so I stopped there and set up instead. The only shelter I couldn't resist was the Lower Shoals. Something about being lulled to sleep by the adjacent streams wasn't a thing I could resist. However, I was somewhat cool that night, despite mild temps and a 20 degree bag.

We got you covered at the AL/GA line. Say the word, and you'll have an escort.

Thanks guys!!:banana (Mowgli - Two Speed)

Great ReportTwo Speed

How did you get from Cave Spring PD to the starting point???

Thank you, n2o2diver.

A friend followed me to Cave Spring and drove me down to Porter Gap.

Are you planning on doing the whole enchilada? If you can get two weeks doing the Alabama Pinhoti should be within the capacity of most hikers. It took me ten days, incuding resupply in Heflin and I ain't no speed machine.

I've been thinking about it and I have to thank Mowgli again for the pointer to Solo's journal. Solo's journal is a little out of date but it offered a lot of very helpful tips that really helped me out. I strongly suggest that anyone considering the Alabama Pinhoti read that journal, then checking for changes on each end of the trail. Sections 1 through 8 seem to be pretty well fixed, but the Georgia club appears to be actively building on the section in the Cave Spring area and I'm pretty sure the Alabama club is actively trying to extend the trail south.

I cut and pasted this off of Solo's site. I think this is what Rock and Two Speed were refering to earlier about the shelters.

9.5 ~ LITTLE CANEY HEAD (MOUNTAIN) ~ 2100' ~ LC, SW
The Pinhoti goes straight through. This is the former site of the Little
Caney Head Shelter. Wilderness guidelines do not allow any man
made structures within the Wilderness boundaries, so the shelter was
flown by helicopter 3.2 miles west on the Chinnabee Silent Trail to
Cheaha Falls and has been renamed the Cheaha Falls Shelter. This
shelter is in great shape but it is a little homesick. It does have a good
view of its old home up here though and the falls make good company
for it too. Little Caney Head is also home to the intersecting point of 2
major side trails. This is the eastern terminus of the Chinnabee Silent
(http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/Pinhoti/PinhotiS.htm)Trail (http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/Pinhoti/PinhotiS.htm) which goes to the left 5.7 miles to Lake (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-parks-222592-lake_chinnabee_picnic_ground_talladega_national_fo rest_picnicking-i)Chinnabee (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-parks-222592-lake_chinnabee_picnic_ground_talladega_national_fo rest_picnicking-i). ....

n2o2diver, that's the shelter I refered to first, and Sgt Rock and I kicked it around a little. Long story short, we're pretty sure he's thinking of the Blue Mountain Shelter.

FWIW I've messed around a little on the Chinabee Silent Trail and it's a great hike, too. The falls just before the shelter are well worth seeing. The downside is the falls and stream were so pretty that my partner and I decided to camp close to the falls and we never made it to the Cheaha Falls shelter, so I still don't know what it looks like. So many trails, so little time.

Back around Thanksgiving I hiked all the trails in the Cheaha Wilderness. They were all great.

I hiked the new section 9 of the Pinhoti this weekend, out and back. Its pretty darn good. Its well blazed and easy to follow. Since its new and was made with a Bobcat its pretty wide, more like a jeep trail than a footpath but time will take care of that. I didn't find water in any of the SW spots in Solo's guide. So its pretty dry until the 14 mile point crossing the creek. Great views from start to finish.

Just got back from an out and back of section 8.
I parked at Adams gap and went south, since Porters Gap trail head is still out of service for the road construction on 77.
Section 8 eh!!! Don't know what to say about it. Other than ouch for the Rock Garden section, that was 1.9 miles of ankle twisting hell.

That ain't the end of it either, my friend. Rock hopping is a required skill on the APT. Actually, I think the APT is a little tougher than the AT in this respect. Lots of old rock slides and not enough hikers to kick the loose rocks downhill into a stable situation.

Hey All,

I'm planning to start a nobo thru-hike of the Alabama & Georgia Pinhoti starting this Saturday (Jan 20th). I was just wondering if there are any notable sections with few water sources... or where the water is especially sketchy? I have plenty of guides etc.... but its hard to get a feel of the trouble spots from looking at these.

Also, I don't know if anyone else will be out hiking this time of year, but feel free to send me a email if anyone wants to meet up sometime.

By the way, I'm going to try and record a GPS track w/ waypoints for the whole thing (especially coordinates for campsites etc. on Solo's data book). I'll post this for use with google earth when I get back. Should be interesting.

Back to the final preparations for me,

Mr. Parkay

Mr. Parkay - have you asked over on http://alabamatrail.org/forum/ ?

btw - nice meeting you at SORUCK.

theres been plenty of rain in the 'Ham area, so I dont think it should be too much of an issue. Parkay, will send you my phone # in case of emergency... Im only about an hour from most of the trail...

theres been plenty of rain in the 'Ham area, so I dont think it should be too much of an issue. Parkay, will send you my phone # in case of emergency... Im only about an hour from most of the trail...


I just sent you a private email..

Oops, never mind, you will be out on the AT.

Mr. Parkay - have you asked over on http://alabamatrail.org/forum/ ?

btw - nice meeting you at SORUCK.



Thanks for the link hog on ice. ... I hadn't been to that forum before. I'll have to skim through it before i leave

theres been plenty of rain in the 'Ham area, so I dont think it should be too much of an issue. Parkay, will send you my phone # in case of emergency... Im only about an hour from most of the trail...

Cool, thanks for the info. Hope the spring will be running and whatnot.

. . . I was just wondering if there are any notable sections with few water sources... or where the water is especially sketchy? I have plenty of guides etc.... but its hard to get a feel of the trouble spots from looking at these. . .My experience was water was a bit more plentiful than Solo's journal indicated. Unless we get a bad dry spell you should be fine if you follow his recommendations. I didn't hike past Cave Spring, so I can't give you any advice north of there.

My experience was water was a bit more plentiful than Solo's journal indicated. Unless we get a bad dry spell you should be fine if you follow his recommendations. I didn't hike past Cave Spring, so I can't give you any advice north of there.

Cool, I like the sound of that.... I was just concerned about water since I had some trouble with this on the BMT recenly (13 miles with no water). Sounds like water is more plentiful on the PT

Butter...

Are you starting at Bull Gap (Section 9)?
If so, it is a very dry section for the first 14 miles. The first reliable water is near Lake Scott.

Section 8 is a little better but still pretty dry. Everything north of Adams gap should be fine.

I may be on Section 9 this weekend what time are you planning on starting?

Butter...

Are you starting at Bull Gap (Section 9)?
If so, it is a very dry section for the first 14 miles. The first reliable water is near Lake Scott.

Section 8 is a little better but still pretty dry. Everything north of Adams gap should be fine.

I may be on Section 9 this weekend what time are you planning on starting?

Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to start with more water than usual. Yeah, I'm starting at Bull Gap sometime around 1 or 2 pm this Saturday. Hopefully I'll see ya out there somewhere.

--- Margerine

If you can go 9 mi before dark you could camp at the Horn Mtn Fire tower. There is a new pic nic shelter and some tables up there. I stayed there about a month ago it was nice, a bit windy but nice.

If you can go 9 mi before dark you could camp at the Horn Mtn Fire tower. There is a new pic nic shelter and some tables up there. I stayed there about a month ago it was nice, a bit windy but nice.

Cool, thats where I'm planning to stay the first night actually... since I'm going to get a pretty late start. I like a good fire tower now and then.

Hey everyone,

I'm back home from the Pinhoti hike and all went well. Took about 2 weeks to hike from Bull gap to the BMT (except for about 20 miles of road walk that I thankfully avoided by catching a ride with a local trail maintainer).

Anyhow I just made a few posts on the Keyhole Google Earth Forum here:

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/783409/page/0

First there is a track of both the Alabama and Georgia Pinhoti. I gathered this data with my handheld GPS that I carried with me the whole way. Afterwards, I went through and edited the data based on satellite images etc. to improve the accuracy. The accuracy is hit or miss in some areas, but I think its pretty decent overall (except towards the end of the GA Pinhoti when I had really bad GPS reception.)

I also gathered tons of placemarks. I tried to record all of the water sources, shelters, campsites, road crossing, forest paths and points of interest that I could find. For the Alabama section I also recorded the location of practically all blowdowns... but I didn't record this info for the GA section. All of this resulted in about 1400 placemarks.

One of files that I posted contains placemarks for the Alabama shelters and blowdowns. Plus some resupply points and mile markers based on solo's data book. (note: the blowdowns and mile markers are turned off by default since they tend to crowd the screen). Later on I hope to update this file with the water sources, points of interests, campsites etc.

Thats about it, guess I'll be posting more things soon.

--Mr. Parkay

Great info Parkay! and glad youre home safe from a great hike!

Hello,

I just wanted to post a quick warning for anyone planning to hike the ATA section in the near future. The 0.5 mile of trail between the Hurricane Creek Bridge (mile 131.7) and Hawkins Hollow (Mile 132.2) was pretty much completely destroyed by a logging operation when I hiked thru on 01/27/07. There was really no discernable path to follow at all, so I just wandered around until I spotted a blaze here and there and eventually made it to where the trail picks up again near hawkins hollow. From here on the trial is much more pleasant.

By the way, I thought the Hurricane Creek Bridge was really cool. I felt like Indiana Jones walking across it.

Hello once again,

I just posted another file on the Google earth BBS forum with all of the water sources that I came across during the Alabama section of my Pinhoti thru-hike (January 2007). Note: I have just recently updated the file to show water sources on the Georgia Pinhoti as well (except I did not include water on the two big road walks).

Here's the link: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/784925/page/0/vc/1

Here's the Key:
Blue Dots -- Reliable Looking water sources
White Dots --- Seasonal Looking water sources
Black Dots --- Dried up water sources (maybe they work other times of the year)
Red Dot --- Water source that seemed sketchy or of questionable quality. this could mean that there were cow pastures nearby or that it just seemed unclean.

--Mr. Parkay

Great posts Mr. Parkay, really cool google stuff.

Here is a link to a thread on a Al hikinh BBS about the damaged section: http://alabamatrail.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=312

Great posts Mr. Parkay, really cool google stuff.

Here is a link to a thread on a Al hikinh BBS about the damaged section: http://alabamatrail.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=312

Hey, thanks for the link about the damaged section. I was wondering what the deal was with it. Glad you liked the google stuff... I still have ALOT more data, but its taking me forever to compile all of the information in an aesthetically pleasing way.

That link about the damaged section would have been more useful to you a few weeks ago though, sorry I didn't think about it back then.

By the looks of the new http://www.pnrt.net/sitemap.html website, solo is going to add to his guide to include the GA section. He might find your info very useful.

The idea behind the new site name is to promote the Pinhoti as one trail not a Al Pinhoti and a GA Pinhoti.

Hey Guys,

I just finished creating a set of topo maps for the Alabama Pinhoti trail using National Geographic Topo. The set contains 18 maps with placemarks based on Solo's Databook. These maps are high quality and very detailed.

I don't have a regular web site, so I have them posted on my Picasa Picture site here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Johnsonc80

The maps are pretty big, at about 1.5 megabytes each.

Hope these are useful. Let me know if there are any mistakes.

Hey Guys,

I just finished creating a set of topo maps for the Alabama Pinhoti trail using National Geographic Topo. The set contains 18 maps with placemarks based on Solo's Databook. These maps are high quality and very detailed.

I don't have a regular web site, so I have them posted on my Picasa Picture site here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Johnsonc80

The maps are pretty big, at about 1.5 megabytes each.

Hope these are useful. Let me know if there are any mistakes.

thanks for sharing your work

This could not be more timely. I hope to hike teh Alabma Pinhoti next month. I'll download a map and print it out of a color laser. If it looks good, I'll print out the entire set, if you don't mind.

I have a Garmin 60CS GPS, and would like to load it with Pinhoti waypoints. I have been looking at your Google Earth maps, and will see if I can figure a way of making up a set of coordinates.

Thanks for doing this work.

ps How long did it take you to do the GA Pinhoti? Did you stage a vehicle near the end? Or hitch out?

Hey Guys,

I just finished creating a set of topo maps for the Alabama Pinhoti trail using National Geographic Topo. The set contains 18 maps with placemarks based on Solo's Databook. These maps are high quality and very detailed.

I don't have a regular web site, so I have them posted on my Picasa Picture site here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Johnsonc80

The maps are pretty big, at about 1.5 megabytes each.

Hope these are useful. Let me know if there are any mistakes.

Awesome Frosty. Good luck on th hike. I hope the maps are useful!

In regard to printing maps... I know its super expensive, but I just tried this National Geographic Adventure Paper, and I must admit its awesome. I was skeptical at first, but I printed out one of the maps with a regular inkjet printer, then put it in the sink and got it all wet. I was surprised to see that it really is water proof, didn't even smudge... and tear resistant. Just another marvel of modern technology.

In regards to the GPS coordinates, you might want to check out my list of Google earth waypoints for Solo's databook. Its basically the same waypoints as shown on the TOPO maps.... Plus some extra ones that I couln't fit on the maps. I just posted it yesterday on the BBS forum. I know I'm biased, but I consider this to be the best source of gps waypoints for the AL pinhoti. Might be a pain to get it into the GPS unit since its currently in the wrong format.... and there may be too many waypoints to have running all at once in the gps.

I'd like to post some GPS waypoints in .GPX format, or some other format that works with Magellan and Garmin GPS units... but I don't currently have a place to post them since I don't have a web site. I used the BBS forum for the Google earth stuff, Picasa for maps, But I dont have a good spot to post GPS waypoints yet.

I also don't have a place to post Poster size Pinhoti Maps. These are the same as the maps posted in picasa, but way bigger. I wanted to create a set of 5 poster size maps, each about 13 megabytes in size. These would be cool to view... since I like hi-res maps. Plus they could be printed on Large size paper somewhere if someone felt like it (Kinko's?). Unfortunately I can't upload JPEGS of such large size using picasa. Oh well.

--Mr. Parkay

thanks for sharing your work

Hey no problem. Wish I could do more... but I'm starting to feel this urge get out hiking some more:)

ps How long did it take you to do the GA Pinhoti? Did you stage a vehicle near the end? Or hitch out?

Well, I was hiking pretty fast so I finished the Georgia Pinhoti in 6 days. (I skipped 20 miles of road walk)

At the Northern Terminus I got picked up by my buddy Heald, who was taking care of my car while I was gone. He's also the one who dropped me off at Bulls Gap. Thanks Heald!

I'd like to create some maps for the Georgia Pinhoti, since I have all of the tools and data necessary, but It takes a lot of work to create the placemarks so I'll have to put that off for a while.

Those maps are pretty damn cool man. I'm going to try and print them out too. I know ALHikerGal was looking for maps for her thru. These would be ideal, they would be much better than the USFS maps which are not water proof and tear easily.

Thanks

Hey Guys,

I just finished creating a set of topo maps for the Alabama Pinhoti trail using National Geographic Topo. The set contains 18 maps with placemarks based on Solo's Databook. These maps are high quality and very detailed.

I don't have a regular web site, so I have them posted on my Picasa Picture site here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Johnsonc80

The maps are pretty big, at about 1.5 megabytes each.

Hope these are useful. Let me know if there are any mistakes.


Is there any way I can get your TOPO file? I have TOPO! and was going to create a set of Pinoti maps but if you already have and wouldn't mind sharing them that would be great and save me a bunch of time.

Thanks,
Eric

Is there any way I can get your TOPO file? I have TOPO! and was going to create a set of Pinoti maps but if you already have and wouldn't mind sharing them that would be great and save me a bunch of time.

Thanks,
Eric


Hey Eric,

yeah, if you send me a Private Message with your email then I'd be glad to email you the TOPO file. The TOPO file contains the Pinhoti Tracks... Then I use a separate GPX file with all of the mile markers... which I can also send. However, these are just mile markers and they don't look anything like the those shown on the maps. The descriptions shown on the maps were created for each map individually using photoshop, using the mile markers as a reference. In retrospect, I probably would have done everything in TOPO instead of photoshop, but I didn't know how to use TOPO well enough at first, plus the options are fairly limited.

I may be out of town and away from my computer for a couple of days, so If I don't respond to your email right away then that's why... in which case I'll send the file when I get back.

Hey all,

I just finished my complete set of Georgia Pinhoti Maps (including the road walks). There are 22 maps in total available on my Picasa site, just like the Alabama maps: http://picasaweb.google.com/Johnsonc80

I know the Georgia Section isn't very popular with long distance hikers yet. But perhaps these maps will help a little bit.

very nice thanks