Night Hiking on the Pinhoti

[Cuffs]

Just getting back on 'regular' peoples schedule from several nights of night hiking on the Pinhoti.  Started with a 2+ miler just north of I-20 where the tornado damage had been clearcut, then the 12+ miles from Cheaha Trailhead to CR24 and finishing up with Hwy431 to CR24.  

Its such a treat to see things from such a different perspective and I have to say that the weather is much better!  Not having the visual sense, your hearing is extremely heightened.  There are sooo many critters running around in the dark!  

Some photos of the trip (ok, just one, but it sums it up...)
http://www.facebook.com/p...b75bffa&id=1129781131

[southmark]

You're a hoot!

[ednotmilkman]

I hike a little bit at night, but there are always delays when you miss the turn or the path just disappears. It would work better with at least one partner so the person in back could always stay on what is definately the trail while the point person searches.

[Firedog]

You came right by the house. You should've let us know. Did you do the trailhead to 24 in one night, or break it up. Just curious of your start & finish times. Carl W.

[Cuffs]

Firedog
did Cheaha north to 24 friday nite. Started at 7:35pm finished at 2:00am. Took a short break just south of hillabee creek. Otherwise walked straight thru. Did 431 south to 24 on Saturday nite. Started at 7:20pm finishing at 9:45pm. There was only a sliver of moon but it was enough to work with. With the increasing daytime heat, and a few successful nite hikes done I'm looking forward to many more as spring and summer progresses!  If all this good progress continues the new pinhoti maps should be ready for fall hiking season!!

Staying away from the Talladega area this weekend... It's race weekend fir NASCAR!

[Two Speed]

I hike a little bit at night, but there are always delays when you miss the turn or the path just disappears. It would work better with at least one partner so the person in back could always stay on what is definitely the trail while the point person searches.

Couple random thoughts:

It's kinda weird how fast your feet can "tell" you're on the trail or not.  Somehow the trail bed has a very different feel to it.

Working with a partner is definitely the way to go.  However, how two or more folks decide to to work the program is gonna be up to those people.  About the only definite "no - no" I can think of is looking at your partner with your head lamp on.

Not good.

Other than that it's more than a little interesting to see what a trail looks after dark.

[Rigormortis]

The only time I done any night hiking was when the night caught me out on the trail, didn't like it then, don't like it now.

[Two Speed]

Eh, depends.  Got forced into it on a January hike in the Smokies, with blowing snow.  Frankly I was one worn out unit when I got to Tricorner Shelter, and didn't like it.

I think night hiking the Pinhoti in mild weather is much, much better, but each to their own.

[luke724]

I enjoy hiking at night, especially with no headlamp and a full moon guiding you.

[McDowra]

HERE     is a fun night hike.

[WolfVanZandt]

My night vision is getting worse as I get older, but I still like night hiking. I don't like hiking in unfamiliar territory on forest trails (especially those like Sipsey where a cliff can appear suddenly and without warning), and I prefer full moons. When the SEHowl was at Buck's Pocket, we hiked quite a bit at night. In fact, many of the hikes involved the 2 1/2 mile hike from the primitive camping area to thte ranger station for showers.