Current water information

[Mountain Dog]

I'll spend a couple of nights between Cullman and Highpoint in a couple of weeks.  Can anyone, having curent experience on that stretch, tell me if he creek north of Oakey Mtn shelter is running and if the creek east of where the Pinhoti crosses Jones Branch Rd. is running.   

[Cuffs]

Just clarifying...  Cullman?  You are talking about the Pinhoti right?  I think you mean Coleman?  If so, post again, I have that info.  If Cullman... I have no idea!

[vampyrgirl]

Of course he means the Pinhoti.  What other trail in Alabama has a High Point and a Jones Branch.  Your "question" is demeaning and patronizing.

[Magic City Matt]

All she did was ask for a clarification. I don't see it as demeaning.

[Mountain Dog]

Sorry Cuffs, I did mean Coleman.  I'll actually be hiking between the Coleman Lake TH and Highpoint TH.  I'm not sure if I will go north or south.  I've got a 6 hour drive the first day so I am planning a 7 to 10 mile afternoon walk the first day.  We'll do more sight seeing the next two days.  We'll be cutting the PM light really close the first day but hey, you can only stay in the sleeping bag so long.  As you know from hiking on the AT, late night hiking is not all that uncommon.

I guess I should think the person who thought they were taking up for me but I did not see Cuffs question to be out of line.  There are a lot of names used multiple times on different and even the same trail so clarification is always appropriate. 

[Cuffs]

I just wanted to make sure there was not a trail that I did not know about from Cullman (the city) to Talladega NF!!!  Id have been highly upset when I could have been out hiking on it!

Going north, theres somewhat reliable water in Chipmunk canyon, reliable water at Choccolocco shelter, Burns trailhead, but Im always hesitant to get water near a road..., Terrapin creek is reliable too.

That should get you thru your trip!  We expect a full report upon your return!

[Skippy]

MD, I  am leaving Friday on a walk from Cave Spring to Pine Glen. I will let you know about the water on that section when I get back.

[ednotmilkman]

From my walk of Sept 11-13 from Burns Trailhead to Ga., I can tell you there was water as the pocket guide says at the Jones Branch Rd crossing ( N33 51.8605' W85 36.7974' )

I did not make note of whether there was water for Oakey Mtn shelter, so I seriously doubt there was water. I walked down to Terrapin Creek and camped right on the rail trail that evening; thats probably not allowed, but until someone tells me so............ ?

 I mentioned this earlier, but worth saying again, that there is a whole river of water in Terrapin Crk, but whoever is responsible for maintenance of that Pinhoti section needs to find a way to get to that water !  Either get permission to clear a trail down to the creek off the railbed, or at least provide a bucket and rope. There is NO EASY way to get to the creekbank, as is, with thick greenbriar and other nasty brush covering the steep bank on all 4 sides of the bridge.

I can give you the list of other places where I did find seasonal water if you need me to  Mtn dog

[Mountain Dog]

Thanks for the info and I would appreciate any update you can give me Skippy.

I plan to camp at or near Oakey Mtn Shelter and near the creek east of where the Pinhoti crosses the Jones Branch Road.  Those are the primary spots of interest.  I'm not worried about having enough to get me from one camp to another, it is only 12 miles or so.  But, I can get by with less weight if I do not have to plan for a dry camp.

I'm trying to work in some time to explore the old trail/road from the top of Duggar to FS 500, the one that went to the old fire Tower.  As a minimum, I will see if I can find the old road bed where it used to hit fs 500.  The old road looks passible from the top but it might peter out before it hits the bottom.  If not now then later I will try the route to see if there might be a loop trail on the north side of Duggar.

As for Terrapin Creek Ednotmilkman, you camped at the best place and I'd forget about the water.  I overtaxed a group one trip and we arrived at the creek really late in the day.  I knew the creek would have water so we passed up good water further south trying to save weight.  When we hit Terrapin, we needed water badly so we bushwhacked to the creek.  It was a tough bushwhack and the ground was not necessarily kind to tents.  I used a Hammock so I was OK.  The water is very suspect.  Up close, you know there is more than normal polution around.  I double treated, even the water I boiled for food.  I do not even consider that crossing as possible water anymore.  As for camping, you got to do what you got to do.  But, you were not far from decent tenting.  You can find a spot or two if you continue north on the Ladaga(sp) and as soon as you go back into the woods, look to you right about 50 feet.  There is an old road bed that basically parallels the trail.  The road is grown up but there are still places to stelth camp if you want more seclusion than the Ladaga Trail offered..

I'll make a trip report but since I will not go for a couple of weeks, do not count me tarty till the end of the month.

Thanks again for all the responses. 

MD

[Skippy]

Just got back last night from the trip,Oakey Mtn Shelter has good water.You will have to walk down the trail about 5 minutes from the shelter.Jones Branch has water but didn't look real good to me.Better pump some before you start up Duggar.I  saw a good stream between the shelter and CR 55. Good water on the other side of Duggar at FR 500. all in all,plenty of water available,just pm  me if you have any questions