View Full Version : Anyone here done the Alabama Pinhoti?
I've been looking doing the first 40 miles or so of the Pinhoti in Alabama and I wondered what it was like. For instance, how does it compare to the southern end of the AT for scenery, resupply points, trail conditions, water availability, etc...
erichkopp
04-21-2009, 12:58
I was wondering the same thing myself. There is a member here that has topo maps with GPS overlays of the trail that are really good. I hear that it's not the most enjoyable trail in the middle of summer because it gets too hot, but don't know very much about it. Anyone know how mountainous it gets? Being from Florida makes me crave mountain scenery.
Two Speed
04-21-2009, 14:20
I've done the Pinhoti from Porter Gap (AL) to the northern end where it terminates on the BMT in Georgia. Not terribly "mountainous" but well worth seeing and great hiking. Quick search on the "Other Trails" (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=105) forum ought to get you all the info you need. I don't believe there's any resupply in the section you're looking at, but IMHO you don't need one; ought to be able to knock that out w/o resupply.
Right now I'm a little vague about the Pinhoti south of Porter Gap. There's been some trail construction down that way, but I haven't seen it yet so I'm not going to run my mouth.
Mr. Parkay's maps are linked on the "Other Trails" forums. They are the drop dead best maps of the Pinhoti.
leprechaun
04-21-2009, 14:21
Living in Birmingahm, I can tell you it gets hot down here in the summer. triple digit heat is nothing to cause alarm to residents. However, its not that bad in the woods with the tree cover. the worst is the humidity, and lack of wind. With the exception of the bad drought coupla years ago its always really humid around here come summer. As for mountains, don't look for much until you hit Oxford/Anniston, although its not as flat as Florida. As for resupply, Sylacauga starting town is pretty good for groceries. From what I hear, it will soon be easy to get to Oxford/Anniston from the trail, plenty of cheap hotels/motels there as well as grocery. Unfortunately, Eastern AL is pretty devoid of towns except along the I20 corridor. I haven't seen a map of the Pinhoti anywhere, if someone sends me a link to one I can tell you all about any tiny town in AL since I travel to most of them to fix microwaves in restarants.
If anyone needs a ride to the trailhead of the Pinhoti, send me a PM before May 5 (leaving for a thru) or after August. I would be happy to drive from Birmingham to Sylacauga for nothing more than gas money.
I've done the Pinhoti from Porter Gap (AL) to the northern end where it terminates on the BMT in Georgia. Not terribly "mountainous" but well worth seeing and great hiking. Quick search on the "Other Trails" (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=105) forum ought to get you all the info you need. I don't believe there's any resupply in the section you're looking at, but IMHO you don't need one; ought to be able to knock that out w/o resupply.
Right now I'm a little vague about the Pinhoti south of Porter Gap. There's been some trail construction down that way, but I haven't seen it yet so I'm not going to run my mouth.
Mr. Parkay's maps are linked on the "Other Trails" forums. They are the drop dead best maps of the Pinhoti.
I ask about resupply because I was thinking about an out and back, so it would be closer to 80 miles total and that would be alot of food for 2 people to lug around. Not impossible, just a consideration. Thanks for the info and I'll definitely check it out.
Two Speed
04-21-2009, 14:26
Maybe I ought to add the section Engine is looking at isn't terribly mountainous. As you get farther north that changes.
All the maps and profiles (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40005&highlight=pinhoti) you'll ever need.
Maybe I ought to add the section Engine is looking at isn't terribly mountainous. As you get farther north that changes.
All the maps and profiles (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40005&highlight=pinhoti) you'll ever need.
Thanks for that! Based on the profile, maybe a start at the AL/GA border going the other way would be better. Something to think about and it would make a nice late fall hike I think...Wonder how much leave time I have saved up? ;)
The Solemates
04-21-2009, 15:18
ive done the pinhoti up to 78 so far....nice little trail
flemdawg1
04-21-2009, 15:35
Messageboard devoted to the Pinhoti
http://www.alatrails.com/forum/index.php/board,32.0.html
More Pinhoti info here:
http://pinhotitrailalliance.org/sitemap.html
For a 40/80 mile hike, I would highly suggest starting at Bull Gap (currently the southern end of woods trail, south of here is road walk...) and hiking north, ending at Cheaha State Park. Thats 46 miles one way. Theres a small store and a hotel and/or camping at the state park, which is only 1/4 mile off the trail.
Bull Gap is due east of Sylacauga on Hwy 148. Only drawback on this is that for the first 12 miles... No Water!
I thru'd the Pinhoti 2 years ago in the drought mentioned above and it was still do-able then.
halibut15
04-21-2009, 23:43
The Pinhoti isn't the AT, but it's still an awesome trail, especially if you're looking for solitude (along some sections). Growing up practically on the AT in north GA and now living in Alabama, I'll take any chance to get up on the Pinhoti. The section through the Cheaha Wilderness is especially nice, and you can make some multi-day loops on the side trails there.
I'll paste a link to a "photo thru-hike" of the Pinhoti if you're interested in what it looks like...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/solopinhoti/sets/1037114/
NoGaHiker
05-13-2009, 21:36
I hiked several GA sections from Dug Gap down to the Highpoint Trailhead the last week in April. Water was plentiful in sections 12 down to about mid way through section 8. Had plenty of rain though. Was kinda scarce the remainder of 8 and 7. Spent the night in Floyd State Park in section 7, there was water about half way down the trail to the park and at the park.
No chiggers, no snakes, no ticks, plenty of mosquitoes and lots of rain. Only passed a group of 3 riders on horseback, no other hikers for 5 days.
No re-supply points (load up in Dalton), 2 state/national forest campgrounds along these sections. Cell service is very limited, but was able to get it on most of the ridgetops.