Patterson Gap to Cave Creek Trailhead

[DavidR]

Hiking from Patterson Gap was a great trip. The section has a lot of challenging elevations and the latter end has some of the most amazing views I’ve seen thus far. I got turned around for a second at the Skyway Loop junction. I plan on hiking that trail after I complete the Alabama Pinhoti portion. The Stairway to Heaven was a real leg killer after having already hiked 18 miles or so. I hit that area early in the thick morning fog. It’s almost reverent the way the forest looks engulfed in fog with all the grey hues of the granite softened by the mist. It has a sense of something ancient as you ascend the hillside. I almost expected to find a set of pearly gates at the top. Much farther along the ridge is a huge camp site with multiple rings that is a junction of several trails. Has anyone followed the creek down the hill to see if there is a fall? I was too tired to do so when I came through. I plan on seeing this area more in the future as well.
Near the Mcdill Overlook trail connector was a pile of what looked like plane wreckage. The Mcdill trail marker was badly defaced making the proper direction to go somewhat difficult if you didn’t already know. I wrapped up at Cave Creek by meeting with my shuttle. That is another trail I plan on hiking. Its exciting knowing that there is so many trails to explore. What an awesome state we live in!


View From Ridge


Another Ridge View


Dedication Marker

[stevebo]

Wow, great pictures!  As far as the waterfall you were asking about, are you talking about the stream that runs by the Pinhoti/Odem/Chinnabee intersection (by the big campsite you mentioned?)   It turns into a small cascade----sort of,   you really cant see it from the trail.  (you didnt miss anything!)   I agree with you about the fog making the rocks look cool---------I was camped near there a few years ago, and as the fog drifted in and out, the cliffs looked like a mayan ruin--I felt like I was in the jungle or something!   Speaking for my self, the Pinhoti is an awesome trail-----and Ive found it to be really addicting---the more you learn about it, the more there is to see!   

[squidbilly]

Yes,that's a beautiful place. Even in bad weather. We were up there New Years weekend in the wind and rain. The wind was howling, so we dropped down under the cliffs to hang our hammocks. Barely a puff of wind down there! The soft rain on the tarps put us right to sleep. We walked out the next morning in the wet clouds. Steve is right, the rocks do seem like ruins in the fog.