Rebecca Mountain new Pinhoti 'woods trail' extension

[blisterbob]

Fri., 4-22-2011, 6:00AM 63 degrees
ATflea and I started this hike at the 603A trailhead and would finish at Bulls Gap trailhead.
The first hour was through newly blazed areas of some old growth forest and recently
harvested areas. Fresh blue blazes spaced close enough together made for easy navigation
as this extension of the Pinhoti has not yet been used enough to have the path beaten down.
Also in the first hour we would see the only sources of water for the entire 11.2 miles. Two of
the three small streams that parralled the trail would be seasonal and only the 3rd. and last
I would consider dependable.
We had a short road walk on a roughly graded FS 675 and met a turkey hunter just as the
trail left the FS and started a long gradual incline with 3 switchbacks before topping out at
an old microwave tower. This section was older, wider and more level. At the microwave tower
we had about a quarter mile of concrete pavement before the trail was to follow an old 4X4
rd. along the ridge top which at times offered scenic views in both directions and also I noticed
many areas that would make good campsites, but in this complete 11.2 miles there were no
existing campsites. Maybe lack of water has something to do with that.
We had a steep descent and right back up a steep concrete drive to another communication
tower. The hum of the A/C mad me think about the 80+ temp and my sweat wet shirt. We
took a lunch break soon after the tower and then continued on with a couple more steep
descents and right back up again.
The last hour of todays hike was sidehilling with gradual elevation changes. In this part we
met a couple horseback riders with their dog trailing along behind. My partner and I did the
courteous thing and climbed off the trail several feet to allow them to pass. After exchanging
greetings the 2nd. horse bolted and took off down the hill 20 feet or so before the rider could
get him under control. I guess he didn't like my red shirt!
Coming down the steep bank at SR 148 was a little tricky even though it was only a about 8 ft.
Bulls Gap trailhead, 2:00 PM, 11.2 miles, 8 hrs., 86 degrees
Trail condition- good
Difficulty level- moderate
Cautions- take plenty of water with you.

blisterbob
Pinhoti Trailhead Shuttle

[vapor]

I just completed section 3, bulls gap to porters gap, on saturday 4/23. I also noticed the sign at Bulls Gap heading south towards Rebecca Mountain saying 11.2 miles to 603 but thought that this was still a road walk. You mentioned there was a trail already cut. Was it marked well with blue blaze & ready for everyone to hike? I have already completed the rest of AL sections from Bulls Gap to Cave Springs, GA & would love to hit section 3 if it is ready but i just wanted to make sure I wouldn't spend alot of time looking for blue blazes if they werent there. I am not to worried about water as section 4 from Bulls Gap to Scott Cascade, roughly 15 miles, was the first we saw water easily accessible. We toted plenty so it wasn't an issue. 11 miles should be a breeze compared to 18 & sounds like a great day hike:)

[blisterbob]

The trail is very well marked with fresh blue blazes.
A lot better than some of the areas between Burns and Jackson Chapel when I went through there last year.
The 603A trailhead is remote and not much parking room.
We had AT&T and Verizon cell service pretty much the entire length.

[stargazer]

Vapor, Rebecca Mt. begins at 603A and goes through the woods to Hwy 148.  The beginning of the trail goes through a bottom that has places that was recently cut.  Then you'll walk down a dirt road for a small bit then back up into the woods.  The trail follows the ridge until you get to Hwy 148. There are many blue blazes.  There isn't reliable water on Rebecca.  There are many beautiful views and huge rock formations to enjoy. 

[squidbilly]

Thanks for the reports of the new section. Blisterbob, I may have to make use of your shuttle service soon.

[blisterbob]

REBECCA MOUNTAIN Pinhoti section 3 update

Tues. 1/31/12 7:00 AM 47 degrees partly cloudy Bulls Gap
shadowsue and I doing this section southbound to 603A.
I was curious about the trail relocations last summer and was a little concerned that all the ridge top views would
be eliminated. Some were but There are still plenty of places for long distance views in all directions from a single
vantage point. There are also a couple places for hikers to choose between steep climbs and great views OR
sidehilling with hardly any climbs and a wide new path and from all I could tell they are all blazed really well and
will return to the single trail.
The water sources near the south trail head were clear and good flow, but 10 miles of this section is dry.
There were several blow downs and brush, some old and some new but nothing serious to get through and
overall not bad condition considering our recent weather.
Someone had built a fire ring and basic small camp recently a couple miles south of Bulls gap.

Cautions;
Take your water with you.
Be careful of rocks & roots under heavy leaf cover.

1:30 PM 61 degrees 603A trailhead
11.2 miles, 6.5 hrs
bb&ss

[shhQuiet]

Thanks for the update Blisterbob-

The Birmingham Adventure Group / Cahaba Sierra Club will be hiking this section on 2/18/2012.  If anyone is interested, please check out http://meetup.com/Birming...ureGroup/events/47999272/

As of 2/1/2012, there are 23 people signed up for this dayhike.

[blisterbob]

Thanks for the update Blisterbob-

The Birmingham Adventure Group / Cahaba Sierra Club will be hiking this section on 2/18/2012.  If anyone is interested, please check out http://meetup.com/Birming...ureGroup/events/47999272/

As of 2/1/2012, there are 23 people signed up for this dayhike.

If you are going south as we did, When you go past the north communication tower the trail crosses FS 680 (white gap).
immediately after 680 the Pinhoti goes up an old jeep rd. that is marked with blue blazes. This is probably the steepest
200 yd. climb on this section as I remember from last April. One of the detours I mentioned is to the right sidehilling around
this peak for about 1/4 mile. You will have to look closely as soon as you cross 680 about 25 ft. to the right and you will
see the blue blazes. If you choose to sidehill as we did, the blazes are really close together, but the only improvement is
the blazes! (bushwhacking with blazes).
If you are northbound you will see blazes straight ahead on the jeep rd. and also blazes to the left that you won't have
to look for as hard. NB the climb is not as tough, so maybe the better choice.
The other trail split is about a mile N. of White Gap and you might not notice it if you are southbound. This is where the
mini dozer made the nice wide path last summer. Going north you would notice some blazes going to the rt. to the ridge,
as well as on the wider path.
I have tried to be thorough because this work is fairly new and I don't know how much has been posted.
At any rate, there is no problem getting from A to B .
Good luck,
bb

[squidbilly]

Very good trail description BlisterBob, that's how I remember it from a few weeks ago.
The new sections cut with the mini dozer were actually the hardest for us. It slowed us down because it was soft, wet soil under heavy leaf cover. It will get better with traffic.

[Cotton]

Just finished section 4 on Wednesday and ran into a nice ranger named Ricky at Porters Gap TH. He just finished posted two new maps. He said the new wood trail to Rebecca Mtn should be officially opened this summer. Our three day trip on section 4 was beautiful. We spent the first night just past the power lines at 40.9 and even found water down the mountain. Second night at Scotts Lake. Blue blazes were very easy to follow.       

[ciphoto]

How do you get to the trail head for Rebecca Mountain? I see FR 603 on my map, but not 603A. I'll be coming from the Auburn area so cutting over off 280.

[blisterbob]

Ciphoto;
Take SR 21 exit from US 280 into Sylacauga,
Turn rt. (east) on SR 148 for about 5 miles.
Watch for a clear cut area on the rt. with a house off the rd. in the cut area.
Just past that at the crest of a rise FS 603 goes to the rt. and you can't see the sign until you are at the intersection.
Turn rt. there and go about 2.5 miles, 603A is on the left and marked with a sign.
The trail enters the woods in .7 mile.
There is a very small parking area by the gate and a couple hikers have parked beside the dirt rd. where the trail
enters the woods.
Bob

[ciphoto]

Bob,
Thanks, I went and downloaded the map for the USGS and found 603A.  Is it easier to get there from 148 or up from cr511?
 

[blisterbob]

ciphoto;
Coming from Auburn would be closer to get off 280 at SR 9 and go north to Goodwater
and then W. on CR 511 to Trammel rd. ( which turns to 603 when it enters USFS), but
 because I don't know the distances between turns that way is why I suggested through
Sylacauga, and the sign for Trammel rd. is not in a visible location.
Bob

[ciphoto]

Bob,
Thanks, I had meant to get up there last time I was home, I work on boats and am gone for a month at a time.  But it didn't work out.  I'm glad folks with the local knowledge share it, it is frustrating when your trying to get on the trail and have trouble find the thing...

peace