Pinhoti - Bulls Gap to Porter's Gap Jan16-17, maybe 18.

[grayw0lf]

I'm headed out for my first trip on the Pinhoti this weekend.  I have some new gear to test out.  I'm working towards the UltraLight thing & still have a ways to go.

I'd eventually like to do the whole Pinhoti (in sections) as training for the AT.

Let me know if you're interested in a short trip.  So far its me & my youngest girl (a beautiful 6yr old Australian Shepard).

I never knew I lived so close to a "real" trail.  I'm just down the road from Flagg Mtn & not to far from Sylacauga.   

John O>.

[luke724]

I just finished this section over New Year's weekend, you will like it better than Porter to Adam Gap. It may be raining Sat., so you may have a foggy hike, both times I have been there it was too foggy to see 20ft. It is supposed to be the one of the most scenic section, I am going to go back when I know it is a clear forecast so I can get some pics. Have fun and be aware that hunters are around you. I would like to do the Rebecca Mountain section when it is ready.

[grayw0lf]

A blaze orange stocking cap for me & an orange vest on the doggy pack are definite necessities this time of year.  Whistling Dixie & talking to the pooch the whole way helps too!

[grayw0lf]

We had a nice time, despite the weather.

Keep an eye out for hunters!  We saw 2 just southwest of Porter's Gap on the trail.  I didn't think hunting was allowed in TNF outside of the WMA???

[luke724]

I encountered hunters along the first 8 or 9 miles, also heard alot of gunshots. Did you see Kenny's Camp? I know I have hiked past it but haven't found it yet. I encountered dogs and hunters past Talladega Creek Bridge, along the Porter-Adams gap section.

[jedbear]

In Wildlife Management Areas, a limited number of days are set aside for hunting. Outside the WMA and within the National Forest boundaries,
the state laws are in effect for dates and times. Its almost over everwhere except Florida. Be carefull out there!

                jed

[ke4uzi]

If anyone has any pictures of this section I'd love to see them.Also all the trail details you could give me as I've never hiked it. My son and I are going to hike it this spring sometime near April.
Any shelters, water, Good,safe parking to leave car? Any issues to watch for?

Thats and if you can't post here you can send to my e-mail > trolan1@elmore.rr.com

Thanks!

[luke724]

Here are some pics, it has been foggy every time I have hiked this section. The Horn Mountain shelter is about ten mile in.
http://www.flickr.com/pho...4/sets/72157623015518721/

[grayw0lf]

If anyone has any pictures of this section I'd love to see them.Also all the trail details you could give me as I've never hiked it. My son and I are going to hike it this spring sometime near April.
Any shelters, water, Good,safe parking to leave car? Any issues to watch for?

Thats and if you can't post here you can send to my e-mail > trolan1@elmore.rr.com

Thanks!

Very nice hike.  Good luck finding the shelter, you'll need it!  If I hike this section again, I think I'll follow the power line right-of-way to the shelter & forget about trying to find a grown-over trail to the shelter.

[luke724]

I walked the trail up once and also walked the road up about 150 yards on another trip. I tried the power line route and was pulling briars out of my pants for ten minutes after.

[todd150hp]

Follow the link to some more pics of this section of trail. I did it back towards the end of October. I was originally planning on going all the way to Cheaha but bad weather rolled in and one of my kids got sick so I felt like I needed to head back home once I reached porter's gap. I'm going back this spring to do it again. I suppose I could start at Porter's Gap where I left off but The Bulls Gap section is definetely worth repeating. It'll be fun to see it April as compared to October.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/todd150hp/sets/72157622860599401/show/

[trailtigger]

my boys and I are going to do this section during spring break (March 15-19) I am wondering how grown up will be at that time.

[Pathfinder]

Very nice album of pictures, Todd.

[todd150hp]

Thanks. I got a later start than I wanted the first day of the trip and did not pause for too many pictures. When I got home and realized I had practically no pictures from around Bull Gap it gnawed at me all week. Fortunately the weather cleared up by that Sunday. So, I hopped in the car and drove 2 hours back up just to hike in about a mile and fill up the camera with pictures from around Bull Gap. My wife thought I was crazy, says I'm OCD.

The camera is a 5.0 Mega pixel Kodak EZ share I bought in 2003. It has been through the ringer is actually held together with Duct tape but still takes great outdoor pictures. Its never been worth a flip with indoor photos. I've been shopping for a replacement hoping to upgrade to something fancier, but I'm no shutterbug and don't really know what it is I am shopping for.

As for the trail growth in March? I would not expect too much. Maybe a few wild flowers starting to pop out by then. In some places dogwoods will start to bud around then.