Pinhoti trek suggestions needed

[Rylan]

A local boy scout troop has asked me to help them prepare for an upcoming Philmont trip. I'm thinking about several weekend hikes on the Pinhoti. I'm looking at driving over after they get out of school on a Friday and coming home on Sunday. I'm looking for suggestions on some possible treks for us. We'll arrive late and will need a very short hike to camp, 6 to 8 miles on Sat and 4 to 6 on Sunday with water at or near camp. Any suggestions? Loops would be spectacular!
Thanks!

[Ronnie Heard]

Philmont, what an adventure...2003 and 2008,,,our last training hike season consisted of one hike per month all the way up to departure day...reason being, the more those boys and adults hike and camp together the better team they become and the better they will not only survive Philmont but enjoy the entire experience. Suggested hikes, Pine Mountain trail ( 23 miles), Chinabee then connect to the Skyway, and definitely the A T...and yes, the Pinhoti, we did the Adams gap down to the Cheaha state park parking lot. We also tried to include some type of teaching session at each hike /  camping session, something that would be useful out at Philmont. Whether it be First Aid, hanging Bear bags, map reading or just how to clean up and sterilize the crews eating utensils....Good luck and enjoy America's future young leaders.

[Magic City Matt]

Look no further than the Pinhoti loop. This is our favorite training ground. If you need to shave off a couple of miles you can stop short at a few different places along the way. You can show up friday and set up camp at Turnipseed Hunters camp (which I have never actually seen used by hunters) for a clockwise loop or at Chinabee Rec area for a counterclockwise loop. We prefer the clockwise loop because Chinabee rec area gets a bit crowded on the weekends.

http://www.alatrails.com/guides/pinhoti-loop

http://maps.google.com/ma....084952,0.155354&z=13

M

[BCM]

Matt, I think they need a shorter hike on Friday.  Turnipseed Trailhead to the first creek on the Chinnabee.  Then up the Chinnabee to the Pinhoti.  Do the Pinhoti/Cave Creek/Nubbin/Odum back to the Chinnabee/Pinhoti intersection.  Finish out down the Chinnabee to Turnipseed.

Or camp out at Cheaha and  on Saturday put in at the Cheaha Trailhead, hike the Cave Creek/Nubbin/Odum to the Chinnabee/Pinhoti intersection then return to the Cheaha Trailhead by the Pinhoti.

[Magic City Matt]

I was actually recommending about parking at turnipseed and setting up camp there.

[BCM]

Yes, but you are supposed to pay at Turnipseed.  At the Campsite near the 1st Creek its free and you can get your water from the creek.  They removed or disabled the pump at Turnipseed.

[luke724]

This past weekend, the park ranger at Cheaha, told us somebody had there car broken into on the dirt road across from Turnipseed. Said they parked there so they wouldn't have to pay.

[Cuffs]

turnipseed is also close seasonally... its not due to open for another couple weeks...

[Cuffs]

This past weekend, the park ranger at Cheaha, told us somebody had there car broken into on the dirt road across from Turnipseed. Said they parked there so they wouldn't have to pay.

Theres a paved parking area just north (75 yards?) of Turnipseed, Ive never had problems when parked there...

[jaybird]

turnipseed is also close seasonally... its not due to open for another couple weeks...

I was at Lake Chinnabee and past Turnipseed this past weekend.  They are open.  Per the FS website at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/a.../talladega_rd/index.shtml, they are open March 1 through November 30.

[luke724]

Theres a paved parking area just north (75 yards?) of Turnipseed, Ive never had problems when parked there...

I have parked there also and never had a problem. I really don't know why that person parked off of the dirt road.

[jaybird]

I bet they're talking about the the area where the Silent trail makes it's first crossing of the dirt road headed towards Cheaha Falls.  A lot of people park there to hike down to Cheaha Falls, and there's actually a fairly large parking area beside the dirt road there.  It is very secluded an away from the Cheaha Scenic Drive.  I wouldn't want to park there long-term, or even overnight.

[Rylan]

Thanks Alatrails for the suggestions.  We are going in a few weeks and I'd like your thoughts on my final plan.  I'm going to have more experienced hikers who are prepping for Philmont and we will have a less experienced group who are trying to get some exposure to hiking & camping. 

Late Friday afternoon we will start at Turnipseed and hike to the first stream crossing.  As I recall there is enough area to put up several tents??  That stream can be our water source for that night and in the morning.  Is the water flowing?

Saturday the younger boys will hike up the hill to the intersection of the Pinhoti.  I think around there or along a little further towards the intersection of the Chinnabee & Cave Creek Tr there is enough camping space for all of us??  Does anyone know if their is a water source in that area?

The older boys will continue on and hang a left on the Cave Creek Tr.  Hike it to a very short connector to the Pinhoti.  Turn left on the Pinhoti and hike back to wherever the others are camping.  Are there any reliable water sources along that section?

Sunday we will go through our gear as a group.  See what we didn't need, what didn't work and what were repetitive supplies.  Then have a leisurely hike out to the cars and find a greasy burger!

I really need to know any info on water sources and I want to make sure I'm remembering large enough camping areas in the right places.  I'm thinking this will be a 2ish mile hike for the younger boys and a 6ish mile hike for the others.  Does that sound right?  I don't want to think we are going 6 and wind up trying to make 12!

Thanks!
Rylan

[jaybird]

When you get to the top of the hill on the Chinnabee Silent Trail (this area is known as Little Caney Head), there are the following options:

1.) You can turn left on the Pinhoti towards the State Park.
2.) You can turn right on the Pinhoti and head towards Adams Gap.
3.) You can go straight on the Odum Scout Trail for about 1 mile or so, and intersect with the Nubbin Creek Trail on the left.  Turning on Nubbin Creek will run you around in about 2 miles to the intersection with the Cave Creek Trail.  Then, after about a 1-mile hike up the Cave Creek Trail, you come to the short connector that will take you back over to the Pinhoti.  When you reach the Pinhoti, you'll turn left to take you back to couple of miles back Little Caney Head.  So, this loop would be about 6 miles in all, not counting what you do to get to the top of the hill, which is a good 2.5 miles from Turnipseed.  There is one nicely flowing creek that you will pass on the Nubbin Creek Trail, and a smaller one on the Cave Creek -- but nothing on the ridge other than the creek at Little Caney Head.

Pinhoti trek suggestions needed

[BCM]

Rylan, I'd suggest turning right on the Pinhoti at the Chinnabee/Pinhoti/Odum intersection.  There are several large campsites within 1/4 of a mile.  There are views overlooking the valley, the spring is close enough, and there will be enough space for a large group.  There is a large campsite right at the intersection.  From my hikes, I can't think of any good large campsites after you turn left on the Pinhoti until you get to McDill Point about 3.1 miles away, although the Pinhoti Trail Guide lists one 1/10 of a mile to the North.  The Guide also lists 2 other fairly close to McDill, but says there are no level sites.

[Rylan]

AlaTrails, Thanks for all the info!  The trip was a HUGE success.  We hiked up from Turnipseed for a few miles to a large camping area and water supply at the Pinhoti intersection.  The younger hikers stayed there and worked on several camping and hiking merit badge requirements while the older boys hiked an additional 6 mile loop back to the same camp.  The younger scouts now have a good success under their belts to build upon.  The older boys heading to Philmont had a good steady and consistent pace.  They payed attention to where they were and consulted the map at every turn.  We are going to do more Philmont Practice hikes but these guys are ready for the backpacking part.  Next trip is to the Walls Of Jericho.  Y'all got any advice???