Elevation needed, hike recommended

[MobileBackpacker]

I cant believe the projected weather this weekend, mid to upper 80's for the highs and upper 60's for the lows, is it approaching fall already?

Anyways, I need a good steep hike to break my summer body in, I have a backpack in WA coming up and need the exercise. I am looking for an overnighter, mileage isnt too important but I need some solid elevation gain/loss. The loss is just as important as the gain.

I am looking for something around B-ham (Sipsey, Cheaha) but will consider all recommendations.

Anyone been to sipsey in the past week or so? How is the water level on the falls?

thanks

[Nalgene Ninja]

I don't think Sipsey going to get you much elevation. I think from Thompson Cr up to TR205 is only about 300ft gain. Cheaha/Taladega NF is what you need.

[MobileBackpacker]

You have any recommendations around cheaha?

i know there is a trail that goes straight up cheaha but is relatively short, is there a trail that could link up with this. ill do some googling

[todd150hp]

Starting @ Adam's Gap Trailhead and heading NE up to Little Caney Head is a pretty good bun buster. It's roughly 6 miles up to Little Caney Head and includes a stretch known as the stairway to heaven. You could then head back down NW on the Chinnabee Silent Trail another 2 miles to the Turnipseed parking lot (If you take a shuttle vehicle leave one at each parking lot) this is a very challenging downhill section, very rocky and often wet.

While your there its always worth it to me to head on down to the Devil's Den falls for a swim in the cool water. Several camp site options. (Shelter @ Cheaha falls (could swim there too, but I saw a large cotton mouth there once), Turnipseed camp ground, Little Caneyhead there is a spring close by for water, usually a little cooler @ Little Caney Head. If its ups and downs you want I'd turn around and do it all in reverse to get back to Adam's Gap. This is probably the most elevation change you are going to get around here.

If you did make it all the way to the Devil's Den falls there is the skyway trail which takes you back to the trailhead at Adam's Gap in 6 miles. Its rather steep as well climbing out of the canyon the falls is located in.
 
These trails were all relatively clear in June. Skyway trail was beginning to get fairly grown up since it doesn't get as much traffic. Water should not be a problem.

[Mountain Dog]

For distance AND some good elevation gains/losses, go to the Pinhoti.  Start at Burns TH headed north and go up and over both Duggar and Oakey mountains.  That is the best prolonged ups and downs on the trail.  For pure elevation gain, but not very long, go to Cheaha lake below Cheaha lodge and hike up and down the mountain.  That is the steepest trail in the TNF.  But no, there are no other trails connecting to this trail.  This latter trail will prepare you for the WA trails if it is exercise you want.  The faster you do it and the more you do it the better the exercise.  But, for just enjoying a hike with some good long pulls and downs I'd do Duggar and Oakey.   The recommendation regarding going north from Adams gap is good in that the first half is a good hike, and the stair ways to heaven a reall bun burner.  However, once on top, it is relatively easy.  Forget the Sipsey if you want elevation challenges other than rock climbing. 

[MobileBackpacker]

Thanks for the suggestions.


I'll let you know how it goes and maybe as a cap i'll do the cheaha lake

[WolfVanZandt]

There is a trail at Buck's Pocket (a gorgeous state park) which runs from near the ranger station, up the canyon wall, to the lookout point on the rim. Some parts are very demanding. There is also a boulder field about half way up to the primitive camping area that has a beautiful waterfall at the top and a shaft cave about half way up. Actually, Buck's Pocket seemed to me to be more demanding than Cheaha (except for the Cheaha Lake Trail which is just about the most upwardly mobile trail I've ever been on short of outright rock climbing and bouldering and there's even some of that at the top).

[jamfan]

If you just want a good steep climb for a day hike, at Oak Mountain you can do the Green trail up to just past the Red Trail.  This gives you a good 700 foot climb in a very short distance.  I've done this a few times after work just to get prepped for tough Pinhoti hikes.

Also, the White Trail (or Yellow->White) has a good incline too if the North Trailhead is more convenient. 

[WolfVanZandt]

I keep thinking of demanding trails. The trails in Chewacla, near Auburn are pretty rough. Trails into and out of the Little River and Cloudland Canyons will give you a righteous lung scorch.

[Nalgene Ninja]

If you just want a good steep climb for a day hike, at Oak Mountain you can do the Green trail up to just past the Red Trail.  This gives you a good 700 foot climb in a very short distance.  I've done this a few times after work just to get prepped for tough Pinhoti hikes.

Also, the White Trail (or Yellow->White) has a good incline too if the North Trailhead is more convenient. 

The Foothills Trail is actually better.  Lots of short and steep up and downs.

[weathermansam]

For a good burn, I prefer going up chinnabee from turnipseed camp, or the adam's gap section up to the stairway to heaven/'pearly gates'.  Climbing out of the Walls of Jericho, what few times I've been, always makes me wish I'd brought another water bottle.  The buck rough area in Sipsey is about the only 'big' exerciser I've come across....that was a camping trip gone horribly wrong 10 miles to 18, and I'd been sick for a while before the trip, so it probably isn't as bad as it seemed.