Blue Mountain Shelter

[Lane]

Anybody been to the Blue Mtn shelter near Cheaha recently?  Just wondering what it's like (condition, etc.)  Figured you'd need to take the same rodent precautions as you would at a shelter in the Smokies.  Got a friend coming down from out of state and we're trying to decide where to spend the night and adjust hiking accordingly.  Saw some photos once, but can't find them now.

Thanks.

[jamfan]

No rodent problems at any of the shelters along the Pinhoti that I've ever seen.  Stayed at Coleman Lake shelter this past weekend with no problems other than one of my friends snoring.  I think the one at Blue Mountain actually has a loft upstairs, and also a book to sign.

You can hike a side trail opposite the blue mountain trail up to the Bald Rock lookout.   If the shelter is occupied and you don't want company, there is a fire ring on the way to Bald Rock as well.

[Magic City Matt]

We were there last week. It's in great condition.


M

[Cuffs]

Stayed at Coleman Lake shelter this past weekend

Wheres that at?

[Cuffs]

Anybody been to the Blue Mtn shelter near Cheaha recently?  Just wondering what it's like (condition, etc.)  Figured you'd need to take the same rodent precautions as you would at a shelter in the Smokies.  Got a friend coming down from out of state and we're trying to decide where to spend the night and adjust hiking accordingly.  Saw some photos once, but can't find them now.

Thanks.

There are resident mice at both Lower Shoal Shelter and Laurel Shelter.  Armadillos are also nighttime visitors at Lower Shoal.  Theres coyotes in the area of Choccolocco shelter.  Barn Owls near Porter Gap.  if youve never heard one... http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Tyto-alba-3.mp3 

[jamfan]

Wheres that at?

About 100 yards down a side trail from the dam.  You can see it from but it wouldn't be hard to miss.  There is a small sign pointing to it.  I didn't know about this shelter until last Saturday since it's not mentioned in the Molloy book.  The shelter was just built in Feb 06 based on the sign there.

[Cuffs]

thats Choccolocco Shelter, just south of Rabbittown rd.

[jamfan]

thats Choccolocco Shelter, just south of Rabbittown rd.

ah ok sorry for the confusion.

[Cuffs]

In regards to Blue Mtn Shelter... I firmly believe its haunted and refuse to stay anywheres near it!!   

[luke724]

I never heard that. What makes you think it is haunted?

[Cuffs]

Nothing really rattles me.  I hike solo alot, never really been bothered by anything in the woods or even at home.  I stayed part of one night there.  Theres just something about that place... packed up in the wee hours of the morning and moved on.  Cant really put my finger on what it was, but enough to know not to stay there...

[luke724]

I have only been there once. It was raining and I stopped there for lunch and to dry off a bit. I guess I was just happy that I had some cover at the moment. The higher level was kinda spooky. I have some ghost hunter buddies that would probably enjoy staying there for some kind of strange experience. I lived in a old house in Montgomery a couple of years ago and experienced some things I couldn't explain. Dog would bark at the wall, eery feelings at times, and a couple of weird experiences that woke me up in the middle of the night. I just didn't feel alone in that house.

[jamfan]

My theory is that Blue Mountain shelter might get a lot of middle of the night foot traffic because it's so close to Bald Rock.  When we camped at the fire ring up the hill towards bald rock, there were plenty of ppl hanging out at Bald Rock drinking beers and hanging out.  Once we went to bed I'm pretty sure we had folks walk through our camp, as we all are pretty sure we heard voices.

[Lane]

Thanks, all (and Matt for the pics).  I'll see what the folks want to do.  Didn't know about the spur to Bald Rock...that could be handy.