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View Full Version : Looking for thoughts on when to hike the first and last third of the trail.



JC13
08-07-2018, 11:22
As the title states, I have completed the middle ~108 miles of the Pinhoti. I need to do Sections 1-8 in Alabama, and then Sections 20-31 in Georgia. I have 2 potential times that I can get away one in Sept. and the other in Nov. My thought currently is to do Ga. in Sept. due to the potential for colder conditions and then knock out Al. in Nov. I live in Birmingham so I am aware it can be cold in November, just thinking it would be colder in Georgia and it's easier to bail closer to home if it comes down to it.

Thoughts?

swisscross
08-08-2018, 14:21
I think your plan has merit but it will still be very warm in GA during Sept.
I think Nov. on the Pinhoti is about perfect.
I am usually hiking in shorts in December. Gets chilly at night but not too bad (mid 20's late Dec). I do prefer the cold.

JC13
08-08-2018, 15:31
I'd prefer it to be colder as well. I'm trying to work with the 4 day work weeks in those months in order to maximize my remaining vacation time. Just finished ~100 miles on the AT in GA/NC back in July and it was nice and toasty. We were in shorts in February this year during the section I was able to do. It was only getting into the 40s at night...

Tipi Walter
08-08-2018, 16:16
I did the Northern Terminus of Pinhoti south to Buddy Cove Gap (and used the BMT going south to connect the two)---and did the trip in February and saw a bit of snow. Here's the end of the Pinhoti trail in Georgia---where it meets the BMT---

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpacking2013-1/18-Days-in-the-Cohutta/i-CpsrfzN/0/7a1a3aca/L/TRIP%20142%20088-L.jpg

FIREWHATFIRE
08-16-2018, 13:07
If doing the Alabama portion in November, remember to plan around the Pinhoti 100 mile trail race on Nov. 3-4
http://www.pinhotitrailseries.com/pinhoti-100.html

JC13
08-16-2018, 14:50
If doing the Alabama portion in November, remember to plan around the Pinhoti 100 mile trail race on Nov. 3-4
http://www.pinhotitrailseries.com/pinhoti-100.htmlThanks for the reminder, I was actually looking at the weekend after making it a long Veteran's Day holiday.