Oak Mtn Hiking

[tcbonline]

I'm new to backpacking, but I've gotten very interested in it here recently. Been researching and reading a lot. I'm mainly interested in hiking sections of the Pinhoti/Cheaha and Sipsey areas. The plan is to graduate to some overnight hikes when I feel I'm ready. Anyway, I live in Birmingham. I've been to Oak Mountain State Park a few times but never really hiked the trails except for a quick hike to Peavine Falls. The question is, how would Oat Mtn be as a sort of training ground to test out my gear on day hikes and then possibly for an overnighter here and there? Do they allow camping on the trails? Any general thoughts on Oak Mtn would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Joshua Szulecki]

tcbonline,

From what I gather, they allow backcountry camping at some designated locations in the park, but not anywhere on the trails.

I'm not really a backpacker myself, so I can't comment on the suitability of Oak Mountain State Park as a training site. The only thing I can offer as advice is be careful to figure out which gates lock at night, and don't let your car be behind one if there is any chance you might decide to ditch, because THEY WILL LOCK YOU IN.

[theprocon]

I've hiked most of Oak Mt's trails at some point or another and it is a great day hike...a good place to test the fitting of gear. The best way I have found to try out new hiking stuff is to use it on an overnighter. I went out in Sipsey for a one day in/one day out overnighter. There, the campsites are far away enough from the car that you don't want to go back unless you have to, but close enough to go back if you really had to. I learned a lot about stuff out there and it prepared me for the trips to NC and TN since.

P.S. NEVER let anyone else pack your pack. 

[ednotmilkman]

hi tcb,
I'm a lot like you; did more day hikes though. Just bought an inexpensive external frame pack to try a 2 or 3 day hike sometime.

I day hiked Oak Mountain a month ago - from the developed campsite, and you can sign up to do an overnight on the trails. That would be a great way to try out you gear. The southwest gate is the one that stays open longer (maybe 24hrs??) , but till midnight for sure. The northeast gate is the one that closes. 

The loop I did was out on the blue trail and back on the white trail, although I didn't make it all the way to Peavine Falls. There are several turnaround trails that allow you to vary the length of your hike.  The Blue Trail has the best overlooks for pitching a tent for gazing off into the valleys below. Trail maps are only 50 cents at the campground store. I think an overnight camping permit on the trails was half the cost of the campground, but not sure.
By the way, I'd love to meet one or more to hike with as my schedule allows. I'm planning to attend the Pinhoti meeting on Feb 10th

[Lostsheep]

Welcome TCB.

Just to give you some info, I hike Oak Mtn a very good bit. Granted it will eventually feel like you're hiking in a big loop (b/c you are), but it's still a very good place to get out and hike. I prefer to usually go in the spring and fall when it's not too hot and not too cold. Both times are great though. For your purpose - getting familiar and trying gear - it would be great. You'll enjoy yourself, get outside in your gear, and have fun doing so.

Oak Mtn has 3 backcountry sites that they allow camping on. They are all little patches just off of the trails throughout the park. At my last camping there (2mo ago), one of the sites was closed for rehabilitation. The sites have a small firering and a max capacity of 8 people. The cost is $3.33/night if I remember correctly. It's not bad at all. They will give you a windshield pass, you park at a trailhead, and go from there.

Here are some links you may be interested in for your information.
Oak Mtn. Trail Info
Oak Mtn. Camping Rates

By the way, next time you'd like to go to Oak Mtn. let me know. I'd be glad to go along. Also, post it here and I'm sure you'll pick up many others while you're at it!

Happy Trails.

[tcbonline]

I appreciate all of the information on Oak Mtn. It definitely sounds like the place for me to get out and work out my techniques and evaluate gear. I'm actually planning on being at that Pinhoti meeting on the 10th too so maybe I can meet some of you. Thanks again.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Just a quick correction on my comments about the gates... They lock the gate to Day Use Road (Peavine, too) and I think they also lock the fishing entrance gate. The main gate supposedly stays open all night for campers. The one to watch out for is the day-use/peavine road.

[SteveO]

Oak Mountain is a great place to hike thats local to town. I go there alot for day hikes and to break in/try out gear. Overnighting there is interesting in the back country. The campsites get full pretty quick during the late spring.
The white trail is my favorite. Be careful hiking the red trail as it is for bikes. Most of the bikers are courteous, however I have met some that will force you off the trail to get through.

[theprocon]

I've done that. That might have been me. I'm sorry.