Ideas for a good lengthy loop trip?

[Sailer]

This weekend I am free and I was wanting head up to the Talladega National Forest for a 2 nighter loop.  I haven't been to this trail system yet so I don't really know what to expect.  I cannot find a map online with the trail AND milage on each one to plan a hike.  

Does anyone have any good suggestions for a nice hike?  

I am in pretty good shape and an ultralight hiker so I can do fairly good distances in a day.  My latest hiking was done at Pine Mountain where I did a two-nighter with a total of 28 miles for the weekend, 17 miles being on Saturday.  I realize that the terrain is more difficult on the Pinhoti so that kind of milage probably will not be possible.  

I am hiking solo so a loop is what I really need unless there are reliable shuttles?

I do see the Pinhoti Loop which is 18 miles.  This seems a little short for a two night hike or am I wrong?    I don't really want to have to stop and camp 1 mile from the truck on Saturday night.....   Or are there any other trail systems not much farther north or near Atlanta that offer what I am asking?

Thanks guys!

[Firedog]

Here you go Sailer, Maybe this will help. Search on here and the exact mileage is posted here. I woudl start at Turnipseed TH and go up the mtn to adams gap then the toughest climb is behind you. Either direction has plenty of water since the recent rain.

[ednotmilkman]

hi Sailor,

If you park at Cheaha Trailhead, you can do a triple loop  including out the Pinhoti, then the Chinnabee/Skyway/Pinhoti loop and if you don't mind a bit if road walk on a county road, also do a loop down Odum, around on a county road and up Nubbin Creek  before returning on Cave Creek Trail.  Not  sure what the total mileage is, but I'm sure someone can find it. I did this one summer and the road walk section seemed to be only 2 or 3 hours. There is even some kinda restaurant at the T of the 2 roads you walk around, even though you better check it out in your car to see if it's open still. 

If you have time for a few more miles, after finishing the Skyway loop, walk north along the green colored part of the Pinhoti and then loop back on green part of Cave Creek  to Nubbin Creek before starting the loop around and back on Odum and you will have hiked every possible part of the Wilderness trail system except a few of the short connectors from the Pinhoti to Cave Creek.

[Sailer]

Firedog, milkman,

Thank yall for the quick replies!

Ok, I found that map but I was not sure how "official" it was or how accurate it was.  So I can just do everything there and be good.

How about permits and checkins?  Any parking permit?
How about bears?  Do I need to hang my food?
Is there anywhere to get a map to carry with me other than printing this thing out?
At the Chehaw trailhead, is there safe parking?

Thanks again!

[Joshua Szulecki]

There isn't a good "official" map, but that one was made by a knowledgable and reliable member here. If you run into a bear, get a picture, since you'd be the first with proof.

"Safe" parking is a relative matter. It isn't without risk, and is more risky than saw somewhere in Bankhead National Forest. There have been recent break-ins in TNF, so exercise proper discretion.

[JC785]

Check out this link for maps: http://parkaymaps.110mb.c...aps/PinhotiMapsIndex.html

To my knowledge you do not have to check in or get permits

[jaybird]

Sailer,

I created the map being displayed here with my GPS over several hikes, and have it split into several smaller ones in much higher resolution.  They show the topo lines and features in much greater detail.  The best loop out there is the loop including the Pinhoti/Chinnabee Silent Trail/and Skyway Loop Trails. Altogether, it's 18.2 miles, and forms a triangular loop allowing you to park and return to the same spot.  The whole loop has features a minimum elevation of 778 feet and a maximum elevation of 2,211 feet ( a change of over 1,433).  However, if you count all the ups and downs along the 18 mile trek, the loop features over 4,406 feet of climbing and 4,406 feet of descending from end to end!  A true Southern trail!

Parking at either Adams Gap or Turnipseed Hunter's Camp:

Adams Gap to Caney Head, via the Pinhoti Trail = 5.67 miles. 1,857 ft climbing, 1,120 descending (+737).  Min elevation 1,202 ft., Max elevation 2,211 feet.
Caney Head to Turnipseed Hunter's Camp, via the Chinnabee Silent Trail = 2.17 miles.  108 ft climbing, 1,026 descending (-918). Min elevation 1,128 ft., Max elevation 2,211 feet.
Turnipseed Hunter's Camp to Lake Chinnabee, via the Chinnabee Silent Trail = 3.58 miles. 505 ft climbing, 777 ft descending (-272). Min elevation 778 ft., Max elevation 1,178.
Lake Chinnabee to Adams Gap, via the Skyway Loop Trail = 6.78 miles. 1,936 ft climbing, 1,483 ft descending (+453)

Send me a PM if you'd like the higher detail maps and I'll be glad to shoot them to you.

[Sailer]

Ok, thank you guys for all of your help.

I think I have figured out my plans.  I hope to park at the Chehaw Trailhead and camp at McDill Point Friday night and then head down and do the Skyway loop then back up to the trailhead taking the alternate return route on the east side of the Cave Creek Loop.  Depending on time I may take the eastern part of the "Nubbin Creek Loop" (not sure if that is the proper name, but the green section) on the return north.

Couple more questions,...

Is parking safe at the Chehaw Trailhead? 
I guess I can just camp where ever I want to?  There are no designated campsites that I must stay in?
Also, has the fireban been lifted since we have gotten some rain?

[Sailer]

Also, are the intersections of the trails marked?  How well?  Signs with names and arrows pointing the correct direction?

[Firedog]

Sailer, we are going to meet at the Cheaha Trailhead Sunday at 9am to take Cave Creek Trail out to check a sink and cave opening. If you are back a the trailhead Sunday morning you can hang with us.

[ednotmilkman]

The intersections are supposed to be signed, but it's always a good idea to take a compass to check in case a sign is missing.

[buck]

Couple more questions,...

Is parking safe at the Chehaw Trailhead? 
I guess I can just camp where ever I want to?  There are no designated campsites that I must stay in?

I've left my truck at the Cheaha Trailhead over night with no problems.
Camp where you can find a place with no rocks - there are a lot of campsites on the mountain.