Reccomendation for Pinoti trip

[Ben]

Hello all,

I'm new here on the site (and to Alabama for that matter) and would very much appreciate any advice on a weekend trip to the Pinhoti. I'm planning the hike for this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. We hope to hike in Thursday night or early Friday morning, and leave Monday morning.

Some background: I live on Dauphin Island. I did a weekend trip to Conecuh State Park a few months ago but am looking to experience some of what northern Alabama has to offer, particularly some hills. We would like to stay as close to home (southern Alabama) as possible, just to reduce the travel time.

I have experience backpacking and I'm hoping to put in anywhere from 10-15 miles a day. We don't have stoves and so campfires would be helpful. Besides that, we have all the necessary gear.

So, 3 solid days of hiking (give or take) on the Pinhoti for an experienced/"advanced" backpacker, any suggestions?

Thanks so much ,

Ben

[dogwood]

Are you looking for a loop hike(1 vehicle) or point to point, with a drop-off and pick-up vehicle?

[Ben]

A loop hike would be optimal but we could take 2 cars if need be.

Thanks,

Ben

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm not all that well versed on the Pinhoti, so all the help I can offer is the loop Matthew posted (16.80mi) at: http://www.alatrails.com/guides/pinhoti-loop

P.S. - I moved this thread into the Pinhoti section for sorting purposes.

[dogwood]

There is a good loop of 18 miles, in which you can see some of the best aspects of the Pinhoti(excellent views, climbing through/over rocks, waterfalls, and woods trail).  This is the Chinnabee Silent Trail/Pinhoti/Skyway Loop trail.  You would put in on the Chinnabee Silent Trailhead, then hike east, up the mountain, to the Pinhoti.  Then take the Pinhoti southward to Adams Gap, where you would pick up the Skyway Loop Trail.  This trail will lead back to the Chinnabee Silent Trail, then back to the parking area.  As i said, it's 18 miles, but there is some pretty tough hiking on the Pinhoti part.  There are also about 4-5 creek crossings which aren't too rough, unless the water is very high(still do-able).  Do you have maps? 

[Ben]

That sounds perfect Dogwood.

No I don't have maps. Where can I get them?

Thanks,

Ben

[dogwood]

You can purchase the maps from most Outdoor Specialty Stores.  If there is an Alabama Outdoors, Mt. High Outfitters, etc, in your area, they would probably have them.  The map you'd need would be the Pinhoti Trail map #4(this shows the Cheaha Wilderness area where some of the trail goes).  If you don't have access to the maps, you can get hiking directions, and even possibly download maps at the followng link:  http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/sitemap.html.  Look under "South Cheaha Wilderness Loop."  These directions show parking at Adams Gap, then hiking northeast up the mountain - essentially opposite of what i posted earlier.  My recomendations are to park at the Chinnabee Silent trail head, on the scenic drive(Hwy 281) and hiking up the mountain - it looks like it would be a lot easier.  The "Stairway to Heaven" section would be better hiking downhill, than uphill!  Let me know if i can help you any further...

[Lesley]

I recommend this trip. I've done it. It's tons of fun. We started at Turnipseed Hunter Camp, took the Chinnabee Silent Trail to the Pinhoti junction and turned towards Adams Gap. Then we picked up the Skyway and looped back round to the Chinnabee and Turnipseed.

Pros: You tackle the biggest mountain early-on day one.
         Water is plentiful.
       
Cons: You're at Cheaha Falls and the Shelter on the last day-so is everyone else
         You may accidentally moon a troop of boyscouts while answering nature's call

We did it Labor day weekend I think. And it rained all over us on day one. Which was a mixed blessing.

Buy a map!!! They sell them at the Cheaha State Park store, but are cheaper elsewhere.

[Firedog]

That skyway/chinnabee/pinhoti loop is a great recommendation again. I have a map on my desktop and I will try to attach it to this post. If I can't I will get it to you through pm or email.......... Now let's see if this works.

[Ben]

Thanks for the advice everyone,

Just a few more questions:

We plan on backpacking in on Friday afternoon/night. Is there a campsite near the Chinnabee Silent Trailhead, like say, 2 miles away that we could potentially camp at? We may arrive late and do not want to hike more than a few miles in. It doesn't have to be a marked site, just a flat patch that would be suitable.

And where do you recommend camping the following night? We'll most likely be staying at the Shelter on the final night.

Also, are fires allowed?

Thanks,

Ben

[jaybird]

Hey Firedog,

Those look familar!  When did I send them to you?  Just curious -- have lots more that I will share with Ben or anyone if needed.  Even have them in 3-D, i believe.

[Lesley]

There's camping around nearly every water source, and you won't run out of sources of water. Just find one you like and throw down....


I've been corrected....The re isn't as much water on Talladega Mt, but you can camp up on top I believe.

[Firedog]

Jay, I can't remember where I picked those up. I remembered I saved them for future use. They are a good set of maps. Thanks, Carl W.

[dogwood]

Ben, you can camp about 3/4 to 1 mile in near the creek past Turnipseed Camp.  Turnipseed is a fee area that you'll pass through.  The creek area has lots of good spots with plenty of water.  After our numerous rains, you shouldn't have any problems with water sources.  At the top, you'll find a good spring that flows in all but the most dry conditions(think last year or so...).   The top is another good option for the 1st nights camping - it's a two mile hike from the trailhead, with the last mile being pretty hard(the last couple hundred yards is a killer!).  However, as Lesley posted earlier, if you go on to the top, you'll have the toughest climb out of the way Friday evening!  There are pleny of places of the Skyway Loop Trail to camp the second evening.  My recomendation is the first fairly large creek crossing that you come to.  On the third night, definately take the shelter, if possible.  If it is crowded, there is a good spot just down the hill, past the creek crossing(near the waterfall), just off the trail.  If you're interested, the lodge in the State Park has a good breakfast buffet, for the last morning.  You'll be around 1 mile from the end of the trail, at the shelter. 
If you need any help while on the trail, feel free to give me a call!  My name is Steve, and my cell# is 256-283-1419(you should have cell service in higher areas...).  Have a great time!!

[dogwood]

Also, fires are allowed in all places.  You might want to either check with the Ranger Store when you come over the mountain, or see if anything's posted at the trailhead about a no-burn ban.  **My recomendation is for you to pick up an inexpensive(or expensive) stove on the way up, and use it instead of having to scrounge for firewood.  I always build a fire(if permissible) to run off the camp visitors(coons,possum,skunk,coyotes,bob-cat, or if rumors are true, bear and big cats).

[buck]

Dogwood:  Does this trail guide follow the path you recommend? http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/loopscw.html

We are planning a 3 day hike and this one looks and sounds like something we would enjoy.


EDIT: I should have looked more closely at your post and the linked trail guide. I think I have it figured out now - the trail guide does not have the same starting point and travel direction. Correct me if I am wrong.

[dogwood]

Your edit is correct - my posting was a different recomendation.  Both Lesley and i said that starting at the Chinnabee Trailhead(near Turnipseed Camp), hiking east on the Chinnabee to Pinhoti, then south on the Pinhoti to Adams Gap, picking up the Skyway Loop, then hiking to the Chinnabee.  Whew, that'll run you out of breath!  That way, the HARD(but fairly short) climb up the mountain on the Chinnabee Silent Trail is out of the way, early.  The Stairway to Heaven section on the Pinhoti is hard enough going downhill - climbing up through it would be a real workout.  This is a great three day loop, because you get the best of Cheaha - bluff views, creeks, and forest.  Depends on how late you start on the first day, but my recomendation is to camp on the top and watch the sunset - it's gorgeous!   

[ednotmilkman]

For anyone  looking for a different loop than the Chinnabee, Skyway, Pinhoti -

Another loop you can do in the area if you don't mind a bit of road walk would include walking out the Nubbin Creek Trail to the road and then go south and west to the High Falls Trailhead then north on Odum Trail .  You can add this loop to the other loop to give you a longer trip, although I don't remember the mileage.  You can start from several points on either of these loops, or from Cheaha Trailhead to the north to add a little more mileage.

[jaybird]

I have one more option to throw in.  It involves the 18 mile loop of the Skyway, Pinhoti, and Chinnabee Silent trails -- but also throws in a little bit more of the awesome views of the Pinhoti and some better campsites on the eastern side of the Cheaha ridge.  When you reach the Pinhoti/Chinnabee/Odum trail intersection, head north on the Pinhoti towards McDill point.  This is one of the most fantastic campsites in the SE!  It features an unimpeded look out over the Cheaha Wilderness.  You'll need to carry some water in here.  Continue onward over Hernandez Peak (the 2nd highest point in Cheaha State Park), down past the rock boulder commemorating the Pinhoti's connection to the AT, and hang a right to the Cheaha Trailhead.  You will have come approximately 6 miles since the Pinhoti/Chinnabee/Odum intersection.  Here, hang another right onto the Cave Creek Trail.  You'll find tons of water and campsites along this 4-mile trail, including Cave Creek at about mile 2.  The views, instead of being to the west like everything thus far, are now to the east towards Atlanta.  At mile 3, the Pinhoti connector trail heads off to the right, but the Cave Creek trail continues to the left.  At mile 4, the CC trail dead-ends into the Nubbin Creek Trail.  Left would take you down the hill to some fantastic cascades, but right will take you 1 mile to Mill Shoals Branch, then a steep 1 mile climb to the intersection with the Odum Trail.  Left would take you to the spectacular waterfalls at High Falls, but right will take you the 1 or so miles back to the Pinhoti/Chinnabee/Odum intersection -- whereby you can turn left to continue on your way.

All in all this would add about 12 miles to the 18 mile loop you had planned.  This would up your miles per day to 10 or so, but give you more water, scenery, and campsite options.  Most of the trails mentioned have large flat sections, but are remembered by most for the many miles of rugged sections that they also contain.  Just some other options to consider.

[buck]

...  Depends on how late you start on the first day, but my recomendation is to camp on the top and watch the sunset - it's gorgeous!

On average, how long should I allow for hiking to the top, setting up camp, etc., before darkness falls?