The Pinhoti F.A.Q. Thread

[Magic City Matt]

Post your questions or answers in this thread and I will keep a running list of them here.

Answered Questions:

Q. How long is the Pinhoti?
A. Approximately 325 miles including the Georgia portion of the trail.

Q. Where s the official Southern and Northern terminus now?
A. The official southern terminus is Flag Mountain near the town of Weogufka in Alabama. the Northern terminus is at the intersection of the Benton Mackaye in north Georgia.

Q. Is the Pinhoti part of the Appalachian Trail?
A. No, While it is not actually a part of the Appalachian trail it does connect to the Appalachian by way of the Benton Mackaye trail. This can be confusing because the Appalachian mountain chain does extend over the length of the Pinhoti.

Q.Where can I find a map of the pinhoti?
A. Mr. Parkay has made some excellent digital map that you can print as you see fit. They can be downloaded here: http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/ .
You can also pick up a hardcopy map here: http://theforestplace.usi...Y&Category_Code=TALLA .

Q.How much of the Pinhoti is road walk and what parts is the road walk on?
A. Currently in AL, headed north from Flagg Mtn, there is 4 miles of woods trail, then road walk to Bull Gap, then there are only 2 remaining sections in GA that are road walk.




Unanswered Questions: 2 Karma points to any member who comes up with an answer

Q.How long should it take me to hike the entire trail.


Q.Where does the name "Pinhoti" come from?

[Magic City Matt]

I actually have the following questions for those more experienced than I.

1. How long is the Pinhoti now?

2. Where s the official Southern and Northern terminus now?

3. Does the Pinhoti actually connect to the Appalachian Trail?

4. How much of the Pinhoti is road walk and what parts is the road walk on?

[Cuffs]

I actually have the following questions for those more experienced than I.

1. How long is the Pinhoti now?
The continuous woods trail in AL is roughly 140 miles.  Once the trail from Flagg and over Rebecca Mtns is complete, that will add (geez, I cant remember the exact #) miles.

2. Where s the official Southern and Northern terminus now?
North:  the intersection of the BMT between Dyer and Watson Gaps
South:  Flagg Mtn.


3. Does the Pinhoti actually connect to the Appalachian Trail?
No, you must travel south on the BMT for approx 90 miles to reach the junction of the AT, just north of Springer Mtn.

4. How much of the Pinhoti is road walk and what parts is the road walk on?

Currently in AL, headed north from Flagg Mtn, there is 4 miles of woods trail, then road walk to Bull Gap, then there are only 2 remaining sections in GA that are road walk.

[Mountain Dog]

I suggest you go to pinhotitrailalli ance.org to find out specifics about the Pinhoti.  That site has the entire trail broken down by sections and labeled as woods or road walk.  Also, either get M.L Eberhart's (Nimblewill Nomad) book, "Ten Million Steps" or read postings on trailjournals.co m to find out about experiences of people trying to get to the AT from the Pinhoti.  Some of the road walk in Ga is apparently poorly labeled.  The Alabama clubs have done an excellent job of blazing the woods and the AHTS recommended road walk north from Rebecca.  I'd drive the paved roads in GA. to make sure where the trail goes before I'd hike the Ga trail.  They might have fixed problems but there is nothing like walking on a road and not having any idea if you missed a turn or had not reached it yet.  Also, I suggest you read Stg Rock's journal regarding his attempt last year to hike the AT.  He chose to start out on the BM from Springer.  His journal should give you some idea as to the quality of the trail from Springer to where the BM crosses the Pinhoti.  Happy research.  It will take longer than postings here but you might benefit from the research.

[Magic City Matt]

Notice we are now giving out karma points for answered questions here.

[ednotmilkman]

According to the 2008 Pinhoti Pocket guide, there are 34.3 road walk miles before you enter the woods trail at Bull Gap.  The new Flagg Mtn woods trail will only replace  2 or less miles of that. The ready (hopefully) to be opened Rebecca Mountain section should replace 0.6 miles on FS 603 and 8.2 miles on AL 148 with 9 miles of new woods trail  and 1 1/2 or so more miles on FS 603A, 603B, 675 and 2 closed cell tower access roads.

There will be work days with AHTS in March on this Rebecca area so come help out if you can once the dates have been set. It's more interesting to find and make a new trail than just clearing up an old one !

[Firedog]

Q.Where does the name "Pinhoti" come from?
Pinhoti is an Creek Indian word for "Turkey Home"



http://purebound.com/trails/pinhoti/

[Firedog]

In reference to Question #1.
From Bull Gap to the state line is 136.9 miles.
It is 171.2 miles from Flagg Mtn. to the GA state line. The next exit point is 2.36 miles into Ga at the crossing of the Old Jackson Chapel Road in Polk County.

If you haven't seen this before, this is the best set of maps I've seen. Here's the link:
http://parkaymaps.110mb.c...aps/PinhotiMapsIndex.html

[alabamat]

This is useful, thanks Matt:

One thing I would add, I think that the 140 mile section is at the moment really the Pinhoti. I'm not a fan of counting road walk as trail, it is just something that we hope, maybe, one day will be trail. The Pinhoti does actually have an official designation, I'm not sure if the new sections are even officially part of that.

Lee

[Nalgene Ninja]

Is there anybody thats available for a shuttle driver?

[dogwood]

When-where?

[Nalgene Ninja]

Not having a time-place in particular in mind, just for general info. I would like to hike a weekend, just not right now.

It just seems to be an amenity that the AT has but the Pinhoti lacks, the availability of shuttle drivers.

[dogwood]

I live in the Oxford-Eastaboga area, and my personal work time conflicts make me hit and miss.  If you need a shuttle driver, feel free to let me know.  I might could help...

[Mountain Dog]

I agree, the AT does have good shuttle support.  The traffic there will support a person interested in driving people.  The Pinhoti's traffid is too limited to interest someone, I think.  Still, check the Pinhoti trail alliance web site.  It used to list some shuttle help.  I used to use a man named Justin that worked at the Cheaha store and had him listed on the Alliance page.  I have not need a shuttle for a while so I do not know if he is still around.  Meanwhile, try loop hikes.  The loop on top of Cheaha (Pinhoti/Cave Creek/Nubbin/Odum) is fun as well as the better known Skyway/C-Silent/Pinhoti.  If you are willing to explore, go north from Burns TH to fs 600, go a few miles west to the old fire tower road and then back south to the fire tower.  Take the Pinhoti back south to Jones Branch road and then follow it to the road a couple of hundred yards west of Burns TH.  This is a really pretty hike with very little doubling back.

[warren]

A thread for Answers about the Pinhoti, huh?


1: ...so where's the list of people that thru-ed the Pinhoti? 

        Nothing improves unless it is measured.  The A.T. keeps data on thru's and section hikers and posts annual data.

2: ...why do people think that the Appalachian Trail by way of the Pinhoti needs to go through Springer?

       Better is to continue northward on the BMT at the end of the Georgia Pinhoti to Fontanna, south of the Smokies. 

3: ...Where's my patch?

       Thru's receive a 2000 miler patch for completing A.T., I want one for the Pinhoti.

Warren
AL-ME '08
ME-AL '08 - by bicycle
ASRT '09
ASRT '09*

*I get to list the Alabama Scenic River Trail twice cause I did it downriver and upriver.**
**Please... all is posted in good humor, relax.

[Magic City Matt]

There's your patch. Best I can do from here anyways.

Interesting about the BMT and the Pinhoti. Might be something to consider after my wife graduates from graduate school.

M

[grayw0lf]

Is there anybody thats available for a shuttle driver?

I live 8 miles from Flagg Mtn.  I'm on the run a lot, but may be able to help.

John Owen.
grayw0lf@yahoo.com

[Mountain Dog]

The Forest Service said at a meeting last year that the last section of the Pinhoti was to be Rebecca Mountain.  They did not recognize Flagg Mtn. as being a part of the Pinhoti and they did not intend to annotate anything more in their updated maps.   I know some people claim Flagg to be a part of the Pinhoti.  Since there is no overall trail club guru, it makes sense that what the Forest Service says is the Pinhoti is, in fact, the official trail.  Now, if there were an overall trail club czar, we could do like the Florida Trail System does.  They have what they call the Florida Trail, which is made up of numerous individually named trails so they do not argue about where any individual trail starts or ends.  An overall "Alabama Trail" could incorporate Conecuh, road walk, Flagg, and the Pinhoti.  There might be some smaller trails between Conecuh and Flagg that could be incorporated into the system.  I'm like Alabamat, I do not like extensive road walks so I think it is a stretch to include Flagg until it is connected mostly by woods to the Pinhoti.  "Let the debate begain!"  I'm going hiking and I'll return whenever.

[Cuffs]

The forest service dies don't determine what the trail is, whomever applied for the NRT status is responsible (and whomever has taken it over since then). 

Anyone can apply for a trail to be a NRT as long as it meets certain requirements.

On a good note, and to stir the pot, I would suggest everyone be looking for NEW Pinhoti maps by fall!!! :-)