The Pinhoti Loop

[melonhead]

Really hoping we can do this loop during my spring break in April. I've got the jahudson map, and a couple others and such.

My question is: Is there any spots where I should be worried on the loop where we could get lost? I've read here and there thats its easy to get off track, specifically the rock garden and the skyway portion. Anything I should watch out for?

Thanks. Sorry for starting a whole thread on this. Feel free to delete after responses

[Mountain Dog]

I think it is hard to get lost if you are going in a clock wise direction because of how skyway loop hits the C Creek.  I've done it the other way several times and with few exceptions, had some looking for the Skyway Loop after crossing the creek where it intersects with the Chinnabee Silent.  Once it was a growth problem, another time it was loosing blazes, and another I went further downstream to cross during high water and had to bushwhack a ways back upstream.  But, you'll know within 50 yards after crossing the creek if you have a problem. 

[melonhead]

Okay thanks mountain dog. We'll be hitting the counter clockwise starting from adam's gap, so definitely be looking out for that intersection. Thanks

[stevebo]

Mountain dog, I had the same problem going from the chinnibee trail to the skyway trail----------the first time i hiked it, it took me a while to find where to cross the stream and pick up the skyway.    Ive never hiked down the "stairway to heaven"---Ive always gone up it.  (on steep slopes like that I always feel like I'm a little safer, if Im going up hill)   

[melonhead]

Coming from Mobile, my girlfriend and I have a date set with the Pinhoti loop next monday, april 18th through wednesday april 20th.

I know its a week away, but weather.com is reporting rain for all 3 days.
What should I be toting in case of rain? Tarp? What kind? I figured if it started to rain, we'd set up a tent quickly, and put a tarp over it. Does this sound about right? Advice and tips would be greatly appreciated.

GF not a fan of the rain, so i will not be letting her know the forecast  

2 other questions:
Is it safe to park the car at Adam's Gap for 3 days?

Is it worth it to stop at Lake Chinnabee and hang out or just continue onto the Skyway Loop?

[buck]

... GF not a fan of the rain, so i will not be letting her know the forecast   ....

I know there is a little humor involved here, but if one of your goals is to get her interested in hiking, you might want to allow the forecast to influence your plans. Being outdoors like that for several days can be different for a woman. I think that one thing that convinced my wife that hiking was enjoyable, fun, etc. was that in the beginning I always chose near perfect weather. If I had taken her in rainy weather, then I think it would have put a bad taste in her mouth - she would have had more to deal with than just learning to go to the bathroom in the woods, no shower, dirty clothes, etc. Once my wife realized those "luxuries" were not "necessities" and that one could actually enjoy life without all the modern conveniences, hiking became something that we love to do together. I have no doubt that she would be fine in the rain today ... although I still check the forecast 

With that said, those long range forecasts can change dramatically and the weather may be fine.

Hope y'all have an enjoyable trip.

[dogwood]

I'll have to agree with Buck on that one!  My wife went on her first trip with me a couple of weeks ago.  The weather was perfect, and she definately enjoyed the hike.  She probably would have backed out if it had rained.  Another factor, if it does rain a lot, is be careful of creek crossings.  Cheaha creek can get pretty raging with a good rain, and you'll have 3 decent sized creek crossings on the Skyway, and one on the Chinnabee Silent.  Since the Skyway breaks of from the Silent trail pretty close to Lake Chinnabee, you might want to take an extra 1/2 to 1 hour to visit.  There's a pit toilet there, nice picnic area, and a lakeside trail if you want to see.

[Lane]

...those long range forecasts can change dramatically and the weather may be fine.

And roughly 14 hours after melonhead's post, the forecast shows:
Mon, Apr 18: Mostly Cloudy, Hi 73°, lo 51°, chance of precip 10%
Tue, Apr 19: Partly Cloudy, Hi 81°, lo 58°, chance of precip 10%
Wed, Apr 20: Scattered T-Storms, Hi 81°, lo 59°, chance of precip 60%

Personally, I like the CW loop starting at Turnipseed.  Get's the worst climb over immediately.  I may change my mind after I do it CCW, but we'll see.

[melonhead]

And roughly 14 hours after melonhead's post, the forecast shows:
Mon, Apr 18: Mostly Cloudy, Hi 73°, lo 51°, chance of precip 10%
Tue, Apr 19: Partly Cloudy, Hi 81°, lo 58°, chance of precip 10%
Wed, Apr 20: Scattered T-Storms, Hi 81°, lo 59°, chance of precip 60%

Personally, I like the CW loop starting at Turnipseed.  Get's the worst climb over immediately.  I may change my mind after I do it CCW, but we'll see.

Lol. Sounds like some good weather. Hopefully we can get out wednesday before it rains...i just get all worried when i see rain in the forecast. Now if only she can get off work, we'll be set. Otherwise, Ill kill myself. Hopefully my degree will get me out of mobile, because the real hiking is north alabama. Ill be checking the forecast hourly.

And yeah, if it was going to rain, id have to tell her because she would not be a happy camper in the rain haha