PDA

View Full Version : Hiking the Pinhoti



Sweetspot
06-11-2013, 16:12
Last fall myself and a friend and his dog hiked the Pinhoti. We started at the trail head at the northern trail head in Alabama left my truck. We we saw one person the whole time. Stayed at a shelter. I love it so nice. Blister Bob came and picked us up took us back to the truck and home we came.
I have plans to hike all of the trail. Its beautiful and not crowded. I thank you for putting this trail on White Blazes. Enjoy it.

Ewker
06-11-2013, 17:03
I have only hiked a little (very little) of the Pinhoti but want to hike more of it. I just have to make the time to do it

Mountain Dog
06-11-2013, 18:08
I've done it a lot. Problem is that I do not take pictures. Anyone got picture of McDill, Chinnabee Falls, High Falls, Devils ?, or even the old church. We know its beauty. Hope others find out what we already know.

SouthMark
06-11-2013, 18:23
220202202122022220232202422025

atmilkman
06-11-2013, 19:05
Great pics SouthMark. I'm like Mountain Dog I don't take many pics. But I got a few. 220262202722028

Mountain Dog
06-11-2013, 19:44
Fantastic pictures. These should open some eyes.

atmilkman
06-11-2013, 19:58
I was thinking of starting a thread called pics of the Pinhoti but this one will be good enough for that. Stories, reports, and pics of hiking the Pinhoti.

blisterbob
06-11-2013, 20:16
Love the pics and entries, glad to see the folks from alatrails and Pinhoti fans are using this forum.

Sweetspot, good to hear from you, I kept looking on trail journals for your entries about the thru on the FT/ECT.

Southmark, I love your signature panel quote!

SouthMark
06-11-2013, 20:20
A few more pics

2202922030220312203222033220342203522036

atmilkman
06-11-2013, 20:26
A few more pics

2202922030220312203222033220342203522036

I looked for that wreck but couldn't find it. Who tied those kites in the trees?:)

Ewker
06-11-2013, 21:06
nice pics everyone

Drybones
06-11-2013, 21:08
Great pics SouthMark. I'm like Mountain Dog I don't take many pics. But I got a few. 220262202722028

Every time I go by this church I stop and spend some time looking at the graveyard headstones and wondering what it was like in that era.

Drybones
06-11-2013, 21:13
220202202122022220232202422025

I recognize most of these, often camp where the first photo was taken.

atmilkman
06-11-2013, 23:20
22043220462204522044

Drybones
06-12-2013, 08:30
22048220492205022051

birdygal
06-13-2013, 19:32
I have hiked most of Ga and a small amount of Alabama looking forward to completing all of it

Matt65
06-16-2013, 18:10
Less and less of the plane Crash debris remains as years go back. I think most of it has become a souvenir for those passing by. Take the Cheaha TH towards McDill Point. Just before McDill there will be a connector trail to the Right out to the crash site.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/eryqu9uq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/paba3y8a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/qu9ejepu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/e3ujyja6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/2adyju5a.jpg

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Ewker
06-25-2013, 13:45
anyone got any trips planned for the July 4th weekend

Dogwood
06-25-2013, 14:32
AL PT is beautiful trail. The church doors are left open so... When were those crash debris pics taken? I don't recall that much debris in Feb when I did the PT although McDill was socked in by fog.

Drybones
06-25-2013, 15:24
2222622227

Drybones
06-25-2013, 15:42
222282223122232222332222922230

Drybones
06-25-2013, 15:57
22234222352223622237222382223922240

SonrisaJo
06-25-2013, 16:21
I have some photos of the Pinhoti online at: /https://picasaweb.google.com/100273929227658216280/GreatEasternTrail2013?authuser=0&feat=directlink


More photos of the Pinhoti here, and stories from my recent hike on it: http://www.gethiking.net/search/label/alabama

Cannot recommend this trail enough. So many great spots. I will be back!

Matt65
06-26-2013, 12:57
When were those crash debris pics taken? I don't recall that much debris in Feb when I did the PT

My pictures were taken on Nov. 12, 2011.


Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Ewker
06-26-2013, 13:06
I have some photos of the Pinhoti online at: /https://picasaweb.google.com/100273929227658216280/GreatEasternTrail2013?authuser=0&feat=directlink (http:///https://picasaweb.google.com/100273929227658216280/GreatEasternTrail2013?authuser=0&feat=directlink)



the link isn't working for me

blisterbob
06-26-2013, 21:05
anyone got any trips planned for the July 4th weekend
Family reunion for us in Colorado this year.

Ewker
06-27-2013, 09:28
enjoy your trip Bob

al_stargazer
06-27-2013, 14:20
We just finished the Alabama portion of the Pinhoti this past May....Woo Hoo!! We have done it in sections. We are planning to begin the Georgia sections in the fall. I love the Pinhoti!! So many fabulous places to see.

Drybones
07-07-2013, 22:11
Four of us guys and 9 gals did a night hike last night from Burns Trailhead to FS 500, about 9 miles. One of the most enjoyable hikes I've been on. It had been raining for several days and was raining hard when we did the hike, streams were flooded, as were roads in places. The small streams near FS500 were almost impassable, had to tie a rope across the streams to cross, took a dip catching one of the gals that was headed down stream. I was really proud, and surprised, how well these city girls handled the challenges and enjoyed the hike...had it's memory moments.

Dogwood
07-07-2013, 23:02
The AL PT can make a great shakedown hike in prep for a longer thru-hike like an AT thru! Since there's a WIDE window of hiking opportunity you can do it basically yr round during a fair weather period. Several good people making the PT a rewarding trail too. Nice maintained single track virtually the whole way on the AL PT too. Just the stretch between Flagg Mt and Trammel TH is a forest rd walk. AL has a nice trail in the PT! I did it this Feb and continued east 70 miles on the BMT from the PT/BMT junction(PT northern terminus) to Springer Mt. Didn't see one other PT thru-hiker and overall saw just a handful of other section hikers the entire PT. Matter of fact I saw many more hikers o that last 10 miles or so before Springer MT than I saw on the entire PT.

Sweetspot
07-18-2013, 00:19
228172281822819

Two Speed
07-18-2013, 09:04
. . . We are planning to begin the Georgia sections in the fall. . . The Georgia Pinhoti has it's high points, but it's not nearly as nice as the Alabama section; too many nasty road walks.

In particular I'd avoid the 20 or so miles between Cave Spring and Coosa GA, and the section between Calhoun and Dalton. There are a couple of pieces of the Georgia Pinhoti that make nice three day hikes, particularly the section past Sloppy Floyd State Park and the section north of Calhoun to the BMT, but the road walks between them just aren't fun.

The short version is the Alabama section is worth putting 10 days together to hike it in one shot, the Georgia section not so much.

al_stargazer
07-18-2013, 13:40
Thanks for the heads up. We have decided to skip the road walks. We are going to begin at Simms Mt. Trail. We hope to finish Georgia in 4 trips. Hopefully we can.. :-)

ednotmilkman
07-19-2013, 09:37
I have thought about incorporating bicycles to do the road walks. You could do it with a group of 4 or more where you had half the group go ahead and then walk and pedal the opposite way, do a key swap at a half way point, and then bring forward the trailing shuttle vehicles with bikes. ?? I have not walked any of the GA sections yet but would like to do this and the BMKaye.

Drybones
07-21-2013, 09:16
This is McDill Point, a short side trail off the Pinhoti.

22884

blisterbob
07-21-2013, 13:13
This is McDill Point, a short side trail off the Pinhoti.

22884
Definitely in the top 5 views on the Al. Pinhoti and worth the 100 yds. or so on the side trail.

evan_rolltide
07-29-2013, 13:35
Beautiful pics! I have hiked close to 1k on the AT this year...thru turned into a couple sections...

But now thinking about a Pinhoti Thru on the AL section at least. Any good resources for maps/trail info? Thinking about taking my dog on the hike, any input for a dog on this section? There are parts of the AT I wouldn't want to have a dog.

atmilkman
07-29-2013, 13:55
Beautiful pics! I have hiked close to 1k on the AT this year...thru turned into a couple sections...

But now thinking about a Pinhoti Thru on the AL section at least. Any good resources for maps/trail info? Thinking about taking my dog on the hike, any input for a dog on this section? There are parts of the AT I wouldn't want to have a dog.

For trail info the PTA website is still the best around. http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/sitemap.html The snailtrail info down the left hand side of the main page. The link to Mr. Parkay's maps at the top center of the page is not working. Here is a link to those exact same maps. These are still some of the best ones. https://plus.google.com/photos/115301875129738936287/albums/5045694999416543121?banner=pwa Resupply is gonna be your biggest deal. Sad to say but it's hard to get a hitch into town. Pinhoti just doesn't have the AT reputation as far as hikers are concerned. No problem at all with the dog. In fact you'll be glad you have him/her. It may be the only one you see or talk to the entire way.

Drybones
07-29-2013, 14:51
Beautiful pics! I have hiked close to 1k on the AT this year...thru turned into a couple sections...

But now thinking about a Pinhoti Thru on the AL section at least. Any good resources for maps/trail info? Thinking about taking my dog on the hike, any input for a dog on this section? There are parts of the AT I wouldn't want to have a dog.

There's a Talladega National Forest map that has most of the AL trail. I haven't hiked the Rebecca Mt to Adams Gap section yet so if you want some company let me know, could leave my truck at Adams Gap and take you to re-supply. BTW, met a Rolltide last year on the AT, thinking that was you.

evan_rolltide
07-29-2013, 14:59
There's a Talladega National Forest map that has most of the AL trail. I haven't hiked the Rebecca Mt to Adams Gap section yet so if you want some company let me know, could leave my truck at Adams Gap and take you to re-supply. BTW, met a Rolltide last year on the AT, thinking that was you.
Not me, I just got on the AT this year, March 2-May 8 Springer-Daleville or so, July 7-July 24 New Hampshire to ME Border.

But that sounds good to me. Both me and the dog prefer cold weather I have found so I am thinking about sometime during the fall... Maybe Nov or Dec time frame... I think I will be able to swing a couple weeks to do it.

But I definitely enjoy camp company, meeting other hikers, and of course town trips!

Drybones
07-29-2013, 15:17
Not me, I just got on the AT this year, March 2-May 8 Springer-Daleville or so, July 7-July 24 New Hampshire to ME Border.

But that sounds good to me. Both me and the dog prefer cold weather I have found so I am thinking about sometime during the fall... Maybe Nov or Dec time frame... I think I will be able to swing a couple weeks to do it.

But I definitely enjoy camp company, meeting other hikers, and of course town trips!

I like cold weather also, contact me when you set a date and we'll do it.

ednotmilkman
07-30-2013, 19:15
Hi evan and drybones,

Keep me posted also in case I can join you, for the section at least from Bull Gap to Talladega Creek bridge since I haven't been on that section in a good while. I know I talked with you, drybones, about hiking somewhere in the last year or so, but I don;t remember why we decided not to hook up?
Edwin

schlanky
08-10-2013, 18:52
To stay in shape over summer, I've started another Alabama Pinhoti section hike. Last weekend, I started at Jackson Chapel Road in GA and hiked back into Alabama and turned around at the camp at Flagpole Mtn (solo's mile 170.2). Today, I parked at Salem Church and hiked trail north back to the same spot.

The highlights: Last weekend, I saw two deer on the trail and three on the road to the TH. Today, I saw two deer on the way to the TH and another on the trail. A raccoon came to check me out at the campsite at mile 170.2 while I was having my morning snack. He kept his distance and scurried off when I stood up to get a better look. Also saw a turkey take flight from pretty close range. I cleared out at least 6,032 spiderwebs. Today the spiders were pretty quick at getting them back up---I found more than I expected on my return trip.

The trail from Jackson Chapel Road to Salem Church Road is in the best shape I've ever seen. Years back, this stretch was pretty difficult to follow. There are currently very few blowdowns and it's marked well almost everywhere---solo's mile 169.1 to mile 170.2 has a few faint spots that are grown over with summer weeds and poison ivy, but even this wasn't too bad.

Today was the best day hike I've had in a long time. I've always considered the south side of Oakey Mtn to be my favorite stretch on the Pinhoti, but Salem Church Rd going up a little beyond the GA state line is just as gorgeous.

I found a new trail shelter at Hawkin's Hollow very close to the tent platform--see pic. This is one mighty fine shelter.

Thanks to the maintainers for making this such an enjoyable hike.


2333323334

atmilkman
08-10-2013, 19:32
To stay in shape over summer, I've started another Alabama Pinhoti section hike. Last weekend, I started at Jackson Chapel Road in GA and hiked back into Alabama and turned around at the camp at Flagpole Mtn (solo's mile 170.2). Today, I parked at Salem Church and hiked trail north back to the same spot.

The highlights: Last weekend, I saw two deer on the trail and three on the road to the TH. Today, I saw two deer on the way to the TH and another on the trail. A raccoon came to check me out at the campsite at mile 170.2 while I was having my morning snack. He kept his distance and scurried off when I stood up to get a better look. Also saw a turkey take flight from pretty close range. I cleared out at least 6,032 spiderwebs. Today the spiders were pretty quick at getting them back up---I found more than I expected on my return trip.

The trail from Jackson Chapel Road to Salem Church Road is in the best shape I've ever seen. Years back, this stretch was pretty difficult to follow. There are currently very few blowdowns and it's marked well almost everywhere---solo's mile 169.1 to mile 170.2 has a few faint spots that are grown over with summer weeds and poison ivy, but even this wasn't too bad.

Today was the best day hike I've had in a long time. I've always considered the south side of Oakey Mtn to be my favorite stretch on the Pinhoti, but Salem Church Rd going up a little beyond the GA state line is just as gorgeous.

I found a new trail shelter at Hawkin's Hollow very close to the tent platform--see pic. This is one mighty fine shelter.

Thanks to the maintainers for making this such an enjoyable hike.


2333323334

Nice report. Good pix. Haven't seen this shelter yet. You're right, it's a might fine shelter. Thanks for the update. Glad you had good hikes.

Drybones
08-10-2013, 19:44
To stay in shape over summer, I've started another Alabama Pinhoti section hike. Last weekend, I started at Jackson Chapel Road in GA and hiked back into Alabama and turned around at the camp at Flagpole Mtn (solo's mile 170.2). Today, I parked at Salem Church and hiked trail north back to the same spot.

The highlights: Last weekend, I saw two deer on the trail and three on the road to the TH. Today, I saw two deer on the way to the TH and another on the trail. A raccoon came to check me out at the campsite at mile 170.2 while I was having my morning snack. He kept his distance and scurried off when I stood up to get a better look. Also saw a turkey take flight from pretty close range. I cleared out at least 6,032 spiderwebs. Today the spiders were pretty quick at getting them back up---I found more than I expected on my return trip.

The trail from Jackson Chapel Road to Salem Church Road is in the best shape I've ever seen. Years back, this stretch was pretty difficult to follow. There are currently very few blowdowns and it's marked well almost everywhere---solo's mile 169.1 to mile 170.2 has a few faint spots that are grown over with summer weeds and poison ivy, but even this wasn't too bad.

Today was the best day hike I've had in a long time. I've always considered the south side of Oakey Mtn to be my favorite stretch on the Pinhoti, but Salem Church Rd going up a little beyond the GA state line is just as gorgeous.

I found a new trail shelter at Hawkin's Hollow very close to the tent platform--see pic. This is one mighty fine shelter.

Thanks to the maintainers for making this such an enjoyable hike.


2333323334

That is a nice area. One of my all time favorite hikes was a day hike I did with a meetup group from hwy 278 to Salem Church Rd, then grabbed my pack from the truck and hiked to the Spring Creek Shelter in GA. It started raining hard just after dark and turned to snow the next morning, not sure why but I really enjoyed cooking breakfast on a fire while it was snowing...felt like Jeremiah Johnson. Snowed hard during the hike out...just felt good being there.

blisterbob
08-10-2013, 20:05
Good trail report and welcome to WB schlanky!

That section is probably my favorite of all on the Al. Pinhoti sections,
and my favorite view is at night between flagpole Mtn. and Hawkins Hollow tent platform
at a point where there is a 270 degree view at an overlook and looking west you can see the
lights of Piedmont, Al. looking east you can see the lights of Cedartown, Ga. The interesting
thing is , during the day from this same overlook there is no sign of any civilization anywhere.

Drybones
08-10-2013, 20:16
Good trail report and welcome to WB schlanky!

That section is probably my favorite of all on the Al. Pinhoti sections,
and my favorite view is at night between flagpole Mtn. and Hurricane Creek tent platform
at a point where there is a 270 degree view at an overlook and looking west you can see the
lights of Piedmont, Al. looking east you can see the lights of Cedartown, Ga. The interesting
thing is , during the day from this same overlook there is no sign of any civilization anywhere.

BB, I'm trying to think where the spot is you're talking about, is this by any chance it? BTW, please forgive my dog, he doesn't normally stick his tongue out at people.

23336

Matt65
08-10-2013, 20:36
I found a new trail shelter at Hawkin's Hollow very close to the tent platform--see pic. This is one mighty fine shelter.

Thanks to the maintainers for making this such an enjoyable hike.


2333323334

Thanks for posting these pics on the new shelter. This was the first I had seen it.

Does anyone know when it was completed?
http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/shelters.html

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

blisterbob
08-10-2013, 20:54
That could be the location, it is at mile 168.2 on Pinhoti Trail Alliance.

blisterbob
08-10-2013, 20:59
Thanks for posting these pics on the new shelter. This was the first I had seen it.

Does anyone know when it was completed?
http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/shelters.html

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
I stayed there in late Jan. and the roof and walls were up but it was still in the works.

al_stargazer
08-11-2013, 12:53
We took a lunch break in the new shelter when we did this section in May. It was very nice!!! Since it had rained all morning on us, we were excited to have a place to eat and get out of the weather for a bit. Someone put a Rubbermaid tub in it that had seat cushions, etc. NICE>>>>

schlanky
08-11-2013, 16:06
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I section hiked the Pinhoti three times between 2001 and 2007-ish, then decided to seek out other places. After hiking mostly in other states the last few years, it's been great to get back on the Pinhoti. I learned how to hike on the Pinhoti, so it's kind of like going back home. It's amazing how quickly you remember things you'd forgotten about the trail, and it's neat to rewalk a section you haven't done in a long time and have vivid memories of your last trip on that section and what was going on in your life at the time you walked it.

I'm already bummed that I have commitments next weekend and can't make another hike for a couple of weeks.

(Sounds like y'all figured this out, but I can confirm that the picture Drybones posted matches the view at mile 168.2. I took a long break there and a longer one at the other overlook at mile 169.1.)

That snow trip sounds like a great hike, Drybones.

blisterbob
08-11-2013, 16:34
I'd place Spring Creek shelter at #2 on my Pinhoti favorites list
with or without the snow.

Drybones
08-11-2013, 16:38
I'd place Spring Creek shelter at #2 on my Pinhoti favorites list
with or without the snow.

Okay Blister, you got me curious, what's number one?

blisterbob
08-11-2013, 16:43
Lower Shoal shelter and Laurel shelter have similar settings as Spring Creek,
but the tie breaker would be the confluence of the 2 larger streams just in front of Lower Shoal.

Drybones
08-11-2013, 17:16
Those are both nice spots.

2335023351

blisterbob
08-11-2013, 17:26
Nice pics,
makes me want to go to the garage and scatter all my gear on the floor and start packing for a 'week in the woods'.

t28w
08-20-2013, 17:09
im looking at possibly spending 3-4 days on the pinhoti and wondered what those who are familiar with the trail would suggest as far as where to start and finish, and if it is safe to leave a car at one of the trail heads. FWIW im located south west of the trail, tuscaloosa area.

SouthMark
08-20-2013, 17:50
There are few opportunities for a 3-4 day loop hike on the Alabama Pinhoti. You can do a 31 mile loop by combining several trails with the Pinhoti. Nubin Creek Trail-Cave Creek Trail-Odum Scout Trail-Chinnabee Silent Trail-Syway Loop Trail-Pinhoti Trail-Cave Creek Trail back to the Nubin Creek Trail.

schlanky
08-25-2013, 20:30
I got out for a trip from Hwy 278 going trail north to Salem Church Road today. Reading my old entry in the log at Davis Mtn Shelter, I figured out the last time I hiked this section was Oct. 2009.


The summer weeds made keeping up with the trail a bit tricky. Most of the trail was easy to follow, but I did a lot more looking for the trail in spots than I normally do. Most of my troubles* happened trail north of Davis Mtn shelter. This section has so many open spaces with no canopy that the weeds just take it over in summer.


The Hurricane Creek bridge is in great shape. Had perfect sunny & sometimes breezy weather with temps in the low 80s and not too humid. Saw no deer or other wildlife, but plenty of game trails. I heard the Blair Witch, or maybe it was just coyotes out for a rare mid-morning howl---those were my only two guesses. I got home with scratched up legs, but am very happy to have gotten back out on the trail on such a nice day.


==


* I'm embarrassed to admit that I fell for one of the Pinhoti's cruelest practical jokes after avoiding it for many years: Walking along, hit a dirt road and there is no indication anywhere of which way to go. It's all scrubby along the road with no trees big enough for blazing. Directly across the road from where I've emerged is another older road bed that leads away in the very same direction I've been walking. The old road bed is beckoning me----"Hey, go this way! The trail is right here. There are no blazes here because the right way to go is just so freaking obvious." I try to ignore it. I know this trick. I fell for various versions of it several times in my younger years.


So I scouted up and down the crossroad looking for anywhere else the trail could be and found nothing. So I thought, "well, it has to be that very obvious road bed that goes straight in the direction I was already walking." And my notes from PT Alliance stated that the trail goes straight across old roads several times in this very area. So this road bed just has to be it, right??? And the weeds on this road bed were much shorter than the occasionally chest-high stuff I'd just walked through on a known portion of the trail. So I took the bait.


After several minutes of walking on the road bed, I started passing trees right along the "trail" that would have been blazed had this been the correct trail, and it was angling too far downhill to make sense. I stayed with it another few minutes just to make sure I wouldn't see a blaze leading me off the roadbed and back onto single track. But I had a suspicion that I already knew what was going to happen. I finally faced the facts and turned around and trudged back up the hill to the last known portion of trail at the other road. After more thorough scouting, I found where the trail actually left the crossroad. When scouting to the left earlier, I'd given up just before reaching the turn, and the blaze marking the turn was mostly obscured by brush, and the summer weeds were high enough to completely hide the trail.

But I can talk about high brush and misinterpreted trail notes and obscured blazes all I want---after all these years of walking the Pinhoti, it tricked me yet again.

Dogwood
08-25-2013, 21:05
Some great hiking on the PT. Lots of excellent pics. Drybones good shots. Nice shot of the lily Schlanky. Yeah that Lower Shoals Shelter is nice. I stayed at the new shelter in the one pic before it was finished on a rainy night. Glad that the roof was on. lots of good things happening on the PT, especially in AL. Always glad to have you chime in Blister Bob.

blisterbob
08-26-2013, 06:46
Schlanky,
My wife and I hiked in to Davis Mtn. shelter on a Sat. PM from 278 early in the Spring,
had a very enjoyable evening at the shelter and the plus side of that clear cut area is
the good long distance views and I especially enjoy them at night around a campfire
even if it's no more than the headlights of autos on 278.
On Sun. we spent the day cutting the weeds with a trimmer, larger trees (mostly deadfalls)
with a chain saw, re-blazing on rocks where no trees were and building small carins where
the trail left the road. Until tree re-growth creates a canopy this half mile or so will need
attention more than once a season to keep the PT easily navigated.
In 2012 I had many reports of hikers getting off the trail in this area, even one of the
more experienced thru hikers that frequently posts on WB, so don't beat yourself up too
badly for your experience.

schlanky
08-26-2013, 08:58
Hi BB. I could tell that some blazes had been added since my last hike. That area between the creek going trail north approaching the shelter was definitely much easier to navigate than my last trip there in 2009. Thanks for your work there. I imagine this isn't an easy area to maintain--particularly in that stretch beyond the shelter where I got off the trail. Had you not made the painted cairn at the turn off the road, it's very unlikely that I would have located the trail again and would have had to turn back.

I think anyone who has hiked on the Pinhoti long enough has made the same kind of mistake that I made at some point or another, and 99% of the time, you look back after the fact and realize that the clues were there--you just didn't pay enough attention to them.

schlanky
09-17-2013, 14:02
I got out last Saturday and hiked out and back from the 278 Trailhead near Piedmont over to the County Road 70 crossing. After the rough trip on my previous section, this was a welcomed easy section. I walked the 12 miles this trip an hour and a half faster than I walked 10 miles on my previous trip.

I left the trailhead at 6:20 a.m. With temperatures in the low 50s, I could see my breath and it was nippy enough that I wished I'd brought my glove liners. Early morning is my favorite time to hike. With great temperatures that topped out in the mid-70s and clear skies, it had me wishing I was doing an overnighter.

My only wildlife sightings were three turkeys along the top of Augusta Mine Ridge. I spotted two flying off a good bit ahead of me and stopped to watch. When I stopped walking, another took off from a tree directly overhead. It startled the daylights out of me.

This section of trail is in great shape. There is one pretty big blowdown near CR 70 with a tree top across the path. From CR 70, it's a little beyond the first big switchback.

Matt65
09-17-2013, 19:06
Excellent trip report. I certainly enjoyed the temps this past weekend, and thought how nice it would be on the trail. Glad to know someone made it out there.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

schlanky
09-23-2013, 12:26
I made it back out yesterday to hike the section between CR 70 up to the ridge crossing of Oakey Mountain. Had perfect weather. Hoped for some wildlife views, but had none this trip. The songbirds were out and about though.

There are some blowdowns here and there to duck under, but nothing too difficult. If anyone goes to the Oakey shelter anytime soon, the log book there needs to be replaced. All the pages have been torn out of the existing book, so it's just a handful of loose pages.

There have been some horses on the trail between CR 70 and CR 94. No trail damage--just some poop on the trail.

Although I can't hike the next couple of weekends, I can't wait for my trip up the other side of Oakey. Oakey is probably my favorite section of the Pinhoti, with that stretch going into Georgia being a close 2nd.

GreenPackin'
09-30-2013, 20:07
It's nice to see a Pinhoti Section here on WhiteBlaze. I'll be solo hiking sections 10 through 13 in the next few weeks (unless someone wants to join me). Haven't decided on an exact date yet. Anything special I need to know about trail conditions?

Drybones
10-01-2013, 13:33
I went to Adams Gap Friday with intent of taking the Skyway Trail off the Pinhoto to Hubbard Creek, camping there Friday night and continuing on Sturday to the Silent Trail and taking it to Turnipseed Campground where 25-30 folks would be doing a night hike. Had to change plans, Skyway and Silent were closed until 9/30/13, I believe there was a slide.

Ewker
10-01-2013, 13:56
looks like the National Forest is shutting down also. I just got this email

Hello Friends,


I want to inform you of a couple of things in regards to the government shutdown. As of today, we will be closing our offices for the National Forests in Alabama. We have been instructed to inform our volunteers that as of today, we are not authorized to allow volunteer activity on the National Forest. Now I realize that seems odd…you may ask, why would we turn down free help? Here’s why it is important….as you know, anytime anyone volunteers on the National Forest, we require a volunteer form be completed. This protects our volunteers in case of injury. Currently, we cannot cover anyone for any type of operation on the National Forest. So please, if you have any work days or other activities planned on the national forest, please postpone them until we get back up and running.


We have also been instructed to close all developed campgrounds and recreation areas. Within 48 hours we will be asking people to leave the campgrounds and we will shut the gates. The Pinhoti Trail and other areas of the forest that do not require a fee will be left open to the public. There will be no trash pickup, bathroom cleaning, or any other activity while we are shut down. If there is an emergency, as always, please call 911 or your local Sheriff’s Office.

bhgant
10-02-2013, 10:26
So I guess my plans to take the family down the Chinnabee will have to change. :( Was looking forward to it as the trail was supposed to open yesterday. Any recommendations for an easy overnighter as I will bringing my 8 and 11 year old. I was planning on us hiking to the Cheaha Falls shelter and spending the night there or down by the falls area. Thank you for any suggestions you might have.

Ewker
10-02-2013, 12:36
The Pinhoti trail is still open, just the campgrounds are closed. You should be able to stay at the shelter

flemdawg1
10-02-2013, 17:22
Pinhoti is still open, as is Cheaha SP, just can't go to the FS campgrounds.

Drybones
10-02-2013, 19:52
Pinhoti is still open, as is Cheaha SP, just can't go to the FS campgrounds.

How do you close a self service campground like Turnipseed or Pine Glen, there's no one there ever anyway...that's what's good about them.

Drybones
10-02-2013, 19:55
So I guess my plans to take the family down the Chinnabee will have to change. :( Was looking forward to it as the trail was supposed to open yesterday. Any recommendations for an easy overnighter as I will bringing my 8 and 11 year old. I was planning on us hiking to the Cheaha Falls shelter and spending the night there or down by the falls area. Thank you for any suggestions you might have.

I see no reason you couldn't still go to the Falls, there's nothing to close.

bhgant
10-03-2013, 10:26
Just came across this - http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5437809.pdf

Apparently the trails around Chinnabee Lake Campground are closed till the end of November now. Letter was signed September 25th.

atmilkman
10-03-2013, 10:39
Just came across this - http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5437809.pdf

Apparently the trails around Chinnabee Lake Campground are closed till the end of November now. Letter was signed September 25th.

According to that it sounds like you can still do the loop of the Pinhoti, Chinnabee, and Skyway or vise-versa.

JBEN
12-16-2013, 09:53
25236
My addition to this thread...
Beautiful McDill point in early October.

blisterbob
12-16-2013, 16:15
NICE ONE JBen,
Probably the most photographed scene on the Pinhoti.

Olustee bus
12-18-2013, 05:07
I was hiking there one day and a friend with me came up to this. He shook his head and as he was walking away, he said "Pack it in, pack it out". It was very funny at the time.


Less and less of the plane Crash debris remains as years go back. I think most of it has become a souvenir for those passing by. Take the Cheaha TH towards McDill Point. Just before McDill there will be a connector trail to the Right out to the crash site.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/eryqu9uq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/paba3y8a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/qu9ejepu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/e3ujyja6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/2adyju5a.jpg

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Matt65
06-01-2014, 18:44
Less and less of the plane Crash debris remains as years go back. I think most of it has become a souvenir for those passing by. Take the Cheaha TH towards McDill Point. Just before McDill there will be a connector trail to the Right out to the crash site.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/eryqu9uq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/paba3y8a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/qu9ejepu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/e3ujyja6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/2adyju5a.jpg

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

I took another trip out to McDill Point today. The amount of trail maintenance post-ice storm was impressive. Thanks to all the maintainers. One sections reminded of a summer job I used to have loading pine mulch.

The pics above were taken Nov. 12, 2011. I did notice that the airplane wreckage continues to migrate away from the crash site. I found a total of 3 places with parts of the plane. Images from the hike below.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/8ytuveva.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/uta6asan.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/7e9adumu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/7a2a9e3a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/y4e6yraj.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/mutuju2y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/6y3emu6u.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/ysybuhyg.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/ugaje3e5.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/nahaneqy.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/byzu5ujy.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/02/ysamymyq.jpg

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Ricky&Jack
06-01-2014, 18:56
is the Pinhoti dog friendly?

I hike with my Husky, but wasnt sure if the trail has animal restrictions.

(Im aware there is a bit of road walking)

SouthMark
06-01-2014, 19:21
is the Pinhoti dog friendly?

I hike with my Husky, but wasnt sure if the trail has animal restrictions.

(Im aware there is a bit of road walking)

Very dog friendly. I and a friend hike sections often with our dogs and we have seen others with their dogs.

Ricky&Jack
06-01-2014, 19:23
I live in dalton and was looking for a nice 1-4 week hike to do with him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ngneer
06-09-2014, 16:10
Who needs football when we have this? Have sat on the 50 yard line at Mcdill calling and checking on the score. What a stadium!

Matt65
11-12-2015, 21:30
Is this the correct information regarding the plane crash near McDill?

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=10295

NTSB Identification: MIA73AM068
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Aircraft: MOONEY M20C, registration: N6386Q

3-3752 72/12/26 ASHLAND,ALA MOONEY M20C CR- 1 0 0 NONCOMMERCIAL PRIVATE, AGE 50, 500 TIME - UNK/NR N6386Q PX- 0 0 0 BUSINESS TOTAL HOURS, 200 IN TYPE, DAMAGE-DESTROYED OT- 0 0 0 NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. DEPARTURE POINT INTENDED DESTINATION LONGVIEW,TEX MARIETTA,GA TYPE OF ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE PROBABLE CAUSE(S) PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS FACTOR(S) WEATHER - LOW CEILING WEATHER - OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED SKY CONDITION CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE OVERCAST 1100 VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE 5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED) NONE OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE TEMPERATURE-F HAZE 42 TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN VFR NONE FIRE AFTER IMPACT REMARKS- RECOVERED 12/28/72 ABOUT 100 FT BLO MTN RIDGE.


Less and less of the plane Crash debris remains as years go back. I think most of it has become a souvenir for those passing by. Take the Cheaha TH towards McDill Point. Just before McDill there will be a connector trail to the Right out to the crash site.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/eryqu9uq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/paba3y8a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/qu9ejepu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/e3ujyja6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/2adyju5a.jpg

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2


Less and less of the plane Crash debris remains as years go back. I think most of it has become a souvenir for those passing by. Take the Cheaha TH towards McDill Point. Just before McDill there will be a connector trail to the Right out to the crash site.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/eryqu9uq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/paba3y8a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/qu9ejepu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/e3ujyja6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/2adyju5a.jpg

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2