Trail Condition Questions

[dogwood]

Does anyone know the condition of the Pinhoti between I-20 to the FS-500 Trailhead, off of Hwy 78?  Also, i've only been southbound as far as Scott Lake, off of Hwy 77.  What about water sources between Bull Gap and Scotts Lake?  Any springs, runoff, etc?

[Mountain Dog]

I was up there a few weeks back and I saw water running in all normally dry run offf beds.  So I would expect to find some run off between Bull and Scotts but I would not plan on it.  That stretch is dry.  That said, there is a fairly reliable source of water less than 1/4 mile from the radio tower on top.  I flagged it a couple of years ago so I would expect the flaggs to be gone by now.  Here is where I found it.  When headed north, go about 3/4 of the way around the radio tower and you will see a good size piece of land headed out towards the east.  This land is relatively flat and wide.  While standing on the trail, look at that piece of land and watch it drop off towards the south (I'll call this slope 1).  Look further back or south east of the trail and you will see a finger of the mountain sticking out and sloping rather quickly towards the east (I'll call this slope 2).  There is good water where slopes 1 and 2 meet but more at the base of slope 2 than slope 1.  I've found water in that creek bed in some relatively dry weather.  I had to go further down the bed the dryer the conditions.  Again I recommend that you not plan on finding the water and possibly end up with dry bottles.

[dogwood]

Thanks, Mountain Dog!  My bro-in-law and i are hiking on the Pinhoti next Fri-Sun, and i'm looking at options.  I've hiked everything from Scotts Lake to Rabbit Town Rd, then 278 to Hawkin's Hollow, but nothing from Scotts Lake south.  If i go from Bull Gap to 77, i'll look for that water source. 
More than likely, we'll either go that route, or top of mountain to Hwy 431, or Pine Glen to Rabbit Town Rd.

[Firedog]

There was a S&R call for a missing Ga woman about 2 to 3 weeks ago and the section from I-20 to 500 was where she was and the trails were clear then. We've had a couple of storms come through since but nothing bad. Should be fine. We thought she was around Indian Cave but she was found on the other side of 281. With todays rain u should have plenty of water. Carl W.

[dogwood]

Was she hiking and lost the trail?  I hiked that section 3 or so years ago and it was pretty well-marked...

[dogwood]

How is the climb from Bull Gap to the Horn Mtn Fire Tower? 

[Firedog]

She had some mental problems and hid up under a fallen tree and checked herself out of this world.

[Mountain Dog]

I do not think the climb from Bull to the fire tower is very hard.  The initial accent is mostly gradual with a few short sections where switchbacks are used.  I think the climb from Scott to the fire tower is much worse but again, I do not think that it is anything to write home about.  If you have time and want to see the making of a really nice trail then go across the road at Bull (look for the tapes) and you will see the start of the last leg of the Pinhoti, the section going over Rebecca Mtn.  The first mile was mostly done with equipment and then you hit the trail done by hand and, unfortunately, horses.  This is a really pretty section with some good views west of the trail at about the .8 mile and 2 mile points.  Blue blazes continue past the 2 mile point but I do not know how far.  I would stop when the blazes end just to make sure you do not go onto private property.  The property was being purchased for the trail but I have not seen where the transaction was completed.  The elevation change is more difficult between .7 and 2 miles than I think you will find north of Bull.  But, no pulls last very long.  (I have not seen any water south of Bull although maps indicate the trail might go really near the headwaters of a creek.) 

[dogwood]

Thanks for the advice!  I'd love to see the Southern Section some time - maybe when it's finished.  I'm strongly leaning toward hiking the horn mtn section next week.  I've day hiked to Scott Lake and it's really pretty.  I've also driven to the HM Fire tower.