Hiking areas that are under-publicized/published

[Joshua Szulecki]

As noted in another thread, Alabama is doing pretty good in terms of filling in the lack of information on the internet about hiking areas in the state, but there is still a long way to go. I'd like to see a list of hiking areas you think are under-published, or under-publicized, so we can get an idea of where we need to work as a group to fill things in.

Here's my list of coverage, rated "Excellent" to "Good" to "Poor" to "None"

Bankhead National Forest/Sipsey Wilderness: Good. Several books, a few websites, but still under covered for an area with the visitation it gets.
Little River Canyon: Poor. Some coverage, but little detailed material.
DeSoto State Park: Good. State park has knowledgable staff, website, and there is some good outside coverage.
Walls of Jericho: Poor. Covered in some published sources and on some websites, but could use some better coverage. Probably suffering from being relatively "new" in comparison to other areas.
Talladega National Forest/Dugger & Cheaha WA/Cheaha SP: Poor. Besides the Pinhoti, which has better coverage, and Cheaha SP, the area is pretty much local knowledge only. There are several waterfalls in the forest that didn't even have photos on the internet until this spring.
Talladega National Forest - Oakmulgee: Poor. Some coverage in overview hiking books.
Concecuh National Forest: Poor. Some coverage in overview hiking books.
Tuskegee National Forest: Poor. Some coverage in overview hiking books.
Oak Mountain State Park: Good. Coverage is okay in hiking books and whatnot, but still needs some work, particularly w/regards to lack of a great trail map, imo.
Ruffner Mountain: Good. A bigger hiking map would be beneficial, as the park website one is really tiny.
Red Mountain: Understandably poor, as it is so new.
Noccalula Falls Park: Surprisingly poor. There are trails below the falls, and little information is out there about them.
Claiborne Lake: None. There is at least one trail and two waterfalls, but there is only a passing mention about them on the internet.

Feel free to call me out as wrong, or to add anything you want. You'll note that I couldn't think of a single place that I'd rate excellent on internet/book coverage. Alatrails.com can help remedy this situation with trail guides!

[PastorLarryT]

Joshua,

I'd say that Alabama in general is very under-publicized as a hiking destination.  We do not have the notable scenery of the Desert Southwest, the high Rockies, or expansive wide-open spaces - but I believe Alabama does have a lot to offer.  You just have to "find it".  So in that spirit, I cheer your efforts.

I think you pretty much hit all of the main spots.  There is also a dearth of material available on many of the Forever Wild Lands and most of the Historical Commission's parks are hardly publicized (i.e. Cahawba and Mountain Creek). 

Others that come to mind are Cane Creek, Buck's Pocket, Chewacla, & Little River State Forest.

[Nalgene Ninja]

With the exceptions of Sipsey, Pinhoti NRT, and the one in/around the AT, NFs are really under the radar. And the management of the NF units just don't wanna be bothered w/ visitors in general. At least that is the impression I get.

[Joshua Szulecki]

PastorLarryT,

See, I think the Appalachians and Cumberland Plateau in general are more appealing (at least to me) than they are often given credit for, and it really irks me. That's one reason why I've been driven to research so many different places. A lot of information is out there, but it is basically impossible to find for most people.

flemdawg,

I'm never sure if I'm welcome on NF lands other than Bankhead. I've always got a warm wave from the Bankhead rangers, and they are out and about occasionally, but I rarely even see the folks at Talladega. I think they just aren't visitor-oriented, because they have other concerns, but they are usually helpful if you ask them questions. I think it is a two-way street, and we probably aren't doing our part to get them to realize how many people enjoy their our lands.

Under Covered Areas I Forgot Not Yet Mentioned
Cahaba NWR
Cahaba WMA
Several open-access TNC properties.
Rock Bridge Canyon (okay, it isn't unknown, it's status IS)


Better Covered areas I forgot to mention
Perry Lakes Park/Barton's Beach Preserve - http://www.perrylakes.org/
Cane Creek Preserve

[SteveO]

Allow me to add,

Moss Rock Preserve
Ruffner Mountain

[Cuffs]

I just met with the staff biologist for the Oakmulgee Unit of TNF yesterday. 

There are some good trails in their section, but have many blow downs from recent storms.  They will be working in the future to clear them, maintain the current trails and establish new ones. 

[MoBill122]

Noccolula Falls was like a second home to me when I grew up.  My parents live two blocks away, and I lived under the falls !  <G> 

I've been planning on going over there this Fall, to hike under the falls...  and take pictures of places no one seems to know about nowadays.    Hopefully, we'll have some good rains before I get there, and there will be some great rapids along with the water falls.

If you go there,  look across the gorge from the covered bridge, and you will see what we kids called " Sand Cave " on the opposite wall. 

If you walk down stream for a mile?  There is an old rock damn across the creek .   Just zigzagging all across the boulders, and you'll find lots of interesting things to look at.

If you walk the camping ground side until you come to a creek, then walk upstream, there is a neat little cave there we used to camp in a lot.   It has an open front....   with a window, doorway... and back 40 years ago....  water running into a basin on the back wall.

If you're lucking enough to go to the falls during a flood period, there are lots of places where water falls off the sides of the gorge, that normally doesn't occur.

 If you venture on up the mountian, on Noccolula Road to the 4-way stop.   Turn right and go to the end at old hospital.  At the old hospital, there is a dirt road leading on down the top of the ridge.  This was called " Big Rock " and has scenic views across the mountains .   Old story was, some guy got his head cut off there... at least thats what we told the g/f's when we went up there... <G> 
 If you go left at 4-way,  when new pavement starts, or housing stops, watch for a place to park along road where all the huge rocks are ( within a mile )  This area was called " Seven Room Rocks "   There are seven small caves within this huge boulder field. 
 Beware, I haven't been in these areas in years, so they may be posted lands now.  And for sure watch for SNAKES in the rocks !
 

[Joshua Szulecki]

MoBill122,

Any chance you could do a writeup about the site if you do go?

[MoBill122]

Sure... I could write up a summary and post photos of the places of interest.

There was a place called Sandy Bottom up stream from the falls and a place that was like a sliding rock....  Sandy Bottom was where we all skinny..... well... maybe that's a campfire story for the guys.... 

[Lostsheep]

I tend to agree. It's a little difficult to find info on several of the place in the SE, especially AL. It's tough to go through adn rely on trail reports but that seems to be what we have to look into for some of our info. Oh well.

I'm still collecting as much info as I can, when I can, to get what I need before heading out.

Thanks Josh for helping when you can.