Pinhoti loop

[Magic City Matt]

So Lesley and I are doing the Pinhoti loop soon. Does any body have any recommendations on which trail head to use and which direction to go?

[highlife]

This loop?
It's the one we have been looking at doing this fall

http://bp2.trimbleoutdoor...iewTrip.aspx?tripId=59954

[Cuffs]

What is *the* loop?  How far do you want to go?  miles per day?

[Magic City Matt]

This loop?
It's the one we have been looking at doing this fall

http://bp2.trimbleoutdoor...iewTrip.aspx?tripId=59954

Yep that's the one. there are actually at least three possible trail heads. Chinabee Lake, Turnipseed Hunters Camp, and Adams Gap.

[Cuffs]

If you start at Adams Gap and go north, you will hit the Stairway soon on in your hike.  Hellacious switchbacks!

[Magic City Matt]

If you start at Adams Gap and go north, you will hit the Stairway soon on in your hike.  Hellacious switchbacks!

Yeah I would rather hit them sooner than later. Any other big gotchyas along this one?

[auwesman]

rocks rocks every where!  As cuffs said, from turnipseed you'll have a good haul up and cross the boulder fields that can be rough on the feet.

I've left my vehicle at turnipseed several times with no problems.  I've heard people that have left their car at Adams Gap have had a few break ins in the past...it's pretty isolated down there.  I like to hike "too" chinnibee lake...it's kind of a reward, but cars are there all the time so probably another safe place to park.

You plan on staying in the shelter?

[Magic City Matt]

not really planning on anything yet. Just putting this one together right now.

[auwesman]

I highly reccommend one night in the shelter.  Plenty of water, nice view, cleanest shelter I've ever been in.  Not far from Turnipseed...abo ut a mile and a half (may be wrong..but not far). I've used it as a starting point many times when I can only get a late start Friday and need to hike to camp via head lamp.

Of course I tell you all of this and you may already know it.....

[MississippiRob]

I parked at Turnipseed and had no problems (Labor Day weekend). Even left my water cooler in the back of truck and it was undisturbed.

[Rigormortis]

The last time I was at Turnipseed Parking Lot I found shattered automobile in one of the parking space's, Adams Gap is very isolated, and parking at Lake Chinabee would be isolated also.  Check with the Talladega Ranger Headquarters to see if they had any reports on vandalism.

[Cuffs]

The rangers routinely check all the lots.  However, they cannot be there all the time. 

[Magic City Matt]

I wonder if it would help if I just left the doors open. I mean there really is nothing worth stealing out of my truck. It's just a stock stereo and some cd's that I can reburn whenever I want.

[WolfVanZandt]

Heh, is there copper wiring?