Hiking section 7 Porters Gap to Cheaha State Park 2/3-4

[DavidR]

I've decided to hit the Pinhoti every 3rd oppertunity I have to hike. That will give me 2 trips to Bankhead & 1 to the Pinhoti every month. I'm picking up where I left off on my last hike at the Talladega Bridge (probably park at Trig's house) and hiking up to Cheaha State Park. I have the route mapped out and any pois I know of marked from the Nat Geo map. Is there anything that I should check out along the way? Anything atop Burgess Point? Is the campsite near Stairway to Heaven a good one? Any Alatrails members going to be in the area?

[buck]

From Talladega Creek to the Stairway to Heaven there are several good views and the rock gardens. However, if you are pushed for time I would suggest hurrying along and climbing the stairway to heaven. Once on top of the ridge the views are incredible. The campsite I remember prior to reaching the stairs was like most spots in that area - lot of rocks. I ended up moving into a pine thicket and sleeping on a soft bed of pine needles. McDill Point is also another must see in the last section.

[squidbilly]

  Speaking of the Rock Garden: If you're a fast walker, you need to be patient here. It is like 1.9 miles of walking over rip/rap. If you don't slow down, you will bust. And there are no soft landings.  This section ends near Clairmont Gap. After leaving Tryg's, you'll cross FS 600 twice and switch over to the west side of Talladega Mtn. After a couple of small branches the rocks start. And this will be the last water until Patterson Gap. Nice view south after you climb out of Clairmont Gap. We didn't stop at Burgess point-didn't feel like backtracking up the trail to the summit.  The path up to the summit is 0.4 mi. Supposed to be a lot of rockwork up there at the old firetower site. The steel tower was flown by helicopter to Dugger Mtn. to replace a wooden tower there, before it was again removed when Dugger gained  wilderness designation.  Other than that- I second what Buck said about Stairway and Mc Dill.

[squidbilly]

Oh yeah, this section more than any other, made me really glad that we started using hammocks!

[DavidR]

Thanks guys. I'm hoping to cover 13 miles per day, but like always, I can rehash my plan on the fly if I can't move that speed here. I'm going to try and pack extra light as well. I'll post back with what I'm able to get pack weight down to considering what gear I have.

[DavidR]

I'm having difficulties arranging a ride back to my truck for Friday afternoon (3/4). Would anyone here like to join me for the hike so there would be 2 cars, or would anyone be willing to commit to picking me up Friday afternoon around 6PM? I'd be glad to pay for gas. It's about 20-25 miles from Cheaha to the Talladega Bridge. I just called Cheaha State Park to see if there were any Taxi services in the area. There isn't. 

[DavidR]

I ended up postponing the hike. Alatrails members did offer to shuttle...many thanks to everyone. I've decided to add an events section to the sidebar of my site Alabama Tent and Trail to announce upcoming hikes so that anyone interested can join. This should be a good thing for anyone involved as there will be more cars for getting from trailhead to trailhead, more diversity on camp activities, and more fun with camp meals. With the pinhoti being a linier trail it is a necessity to have more than one car (or lots of time to backtrack). All upcoming hikes will be announced on several message boards as well as my site.

[DavidR]

I'd like to hike this section 3/10-11 if I can find someone to hike with or a shuttle. Anyone interested?

[squidbilly]

man, I'd love to but I'm grounded this coming weekend.

[DavidR]

Ouch. Thanks anyways bro.

[DavidR]

Ok, I've found a great resource thanks to Vapor. A couple, Bob & Sue, that are also well seasoned hikers are offering a shuttle service for the Pinhoti. It's a min charge of $15 that covers a large portion of the trail and $1/mile after that. I just talked with Bob and have arranged a pick up Sat. Contact info: Bob: 256-276-1661 or Sue 256-276-1856. Let them know that David sent ya.

[melonhead]

Thanks for the shuttle info. Won't have to worry about doing loop hikes only in the future.