pinhoti loop camping

[bigjuice]

I am planning a pinhoti loop hike following the recommended route of parking at Turnipseed, going up Talladega mountain on Chinabee and then hooking up with Pinhoti to skyway to chinabee. I have searched the forums and couldn't find much on camp sites on the Skyway. I would like to avoid the chinabee camp grounds as I have stayed there before and want this to be a rustic night (not with drunk folks in 12 man tents and lawn furniture!). I noticed a campsite at Hubbard creek mentioned, would this be a good place to stay?

On a separate note, I chose the loop out of shear ease (don't need two cars, etc) but i also looked at parking at Cheaha trailhead and hiking the Pinhoti north to 431 to a drop off car. This looks primarily like a downhill section and wouldn't be bad, but is it as worhtwhile as the pinhoti loop? I would like to get out of hiking traffic if possible which makes me interested in this alternative.

Sorry for the two different questions and I am glad to have found the site. I have been hiking in Alabama on and off for >20 years so it is nice to find some like-minded folks out there!

[ednotmilkman]

welcome to alatrails Bigjuice,

I don't hike often enough to recommend a route except I'd say that anywhere outside the Cheaha loop would be much lower traffic.  I actually like running into people when I hike.

[Magic City Matt]

Are you doing this as an overnighter?

[Rigormortis]

I done the Skyway Loop three or four years ago and spent the night at a nice campsite near a creek, it may have been Hubbard Creek, do not remember another camp site except at the intersection of the Pinhoti Trail and  Chinabee Trail.

[bigjuice]

Matt,

It will be an overnighter.

I have hiked the silent trail before and seen that shelter but have not done the Pinhoti and the Skyway loops so that would be nice. We don't mind running into folks and it is nice to sometimes stay next to another small group, we are just looking to stay away from improved campsites (faucets, etc.)

One issue is the guy I am hiking with has to have a decent amount of water to prevent kidney stones. Sounds like there would be plenty of water either on the loop or going north on the Pinhoti.

I am leaning towards the loop. I am being lazy and don't feel like shuttling the cars (that shuttling time could be hiking time!) We will start at Turnipseed early-mid morning, heading towards Adams gap and skyway.  I just hope to stop prior to lake chinabee campgroud to avoid traffic, so camping somewhere on the Skyway.

[Mountain Dog]

Plenty of water and camping on Skyway.  There is a really good campsite beside a good size creek about 45 minutes from Adams Gap.  There are also several water sources between the good camp site and Adams Gap.  There is also good camping near a creek closer to Chinnabee.  As of last week, there was a lot of water where the Chinnabee and Pinhoti cross.  There is one wet weather stream between the Chinnabee/Pinhoti crossing and Skyway when hiking south on the Pinhoti.  I've seen it running when I thought the weather had been dry and I've seen it dry when I thought the weather had been wet.  I would not bet on it being available.  You can stash water at Adams if you think you will need water before you can get from the Chinabee/Pinhoti to the water on Skyway.  Hike Happy

[Magic City Matt]

There is plenty of water all over the loop with as much rain as we have had. The only place you won't see much is way up on the mountain on the first leg of it but there is a spring that runs regardless coming back down off the mountain.
There is a great little stealth campsite once you cross Barbaree follow it it up to your right and you will find it. This is the first major creek you come to on the skyway.

M

[bigjuice]

Cool guys, thanks for the info.

It sounded like there was plenty of water around (except for up on the mountain) so we should be fine.

I will be carrying a good bit of water due to light packs (one night only) so am not too worried but it is good to know, especially for the guy I am hiking with.

Matt, thanks for the tip on the hidden spot we will check it out.

[Firedog]

bigjuice, I live about 2 miles from the Pinhoti/Co Rd 24 crossing. The trip from the upper trailhead north is very nice and as you said is for the most part, downhill to 24. If you will let me know when you were going, I could give you a shuttle back to the trailhead. You can get cell service on most of this section till you get to FS500. you could give me a call me for a shuttle. There are plenty of water sources also. Hillabee creek is pristine and will be flowing nicely. Zulu canyon area flattens out and is a very nice area to camp.  Let me know if you are going that way. Carl W.