spur of the moment

[nu2hike]

I had a section hike planned for the AT next week, but unfortunately I've had to postpone my trip due to illness! I'm still recovering from the flu/bronchitis and dont feel fit enough to tackle the AT at this time.
Having said that I am interested in doing an over nite hike next week if I can get the details worked out. I would like to start at Cheaha State Park and cover 8 to 10 miles round trip!What would you recommend?
Also I've done some solo hikes on the ATand have never felt unsafe doing so, but being unfamiliar with this area I was wondering about the safety on the Pinhoti for women hiking alone.
Thanks

[blisterbob]

From there, a good loop in your range would be hike the Cave Creek trail to the intersection
of the Pinhoti and Chinnabee. There is a large campsite there and you possibly might have
other overnite backpackers for campfire company. The last report I read was almost no water
in the nearby spring and you may have to follow the spring bed downhill a little way to get
water.
 From there take the Pinhoti back north to your origin.

I have section hiked parts of the Pinhoti and the AT and would feel more comfortable about
my wife hiking alone on the Pinhoti.

Welcome to alatrails,

[squidbilly]

 Or you could do the loop in the opposite direction.  Pinhoti south to the Junction/Odum to Nubbin/ Nubbin to Cave Creek. Either way it's a nice loop, with a connector trail in case you need to cut the trip short. Cave Creek is the only other water source on the mountain. Don't underestimate the heat, especially recovering from your recent illness. 

Pinhoti Trail Map #4 from The Forest Service is a good topo of the area.

[nu2hike]

Is  the trailhead for both of those loops  located in Cheaha State Park? Where would be the best place to park?
I don't think I have enough time to get the topo map from the forest service. Is there some place I could download one? I would really like to purchase a Pinhoti Trail Guide if there is one available!

[squidbilly]

Is  the trailhead for both of those loops  located in Cheaha State Park? Where would be the best place to park?
I don't think I have enough time to get the topo map from the forest service. Is there some place I could download one? I would really like to purchase a Pinhoti Trail Guide if there is one available!

Park at the Cheaha Trailhead on Al 281, just before the State Park entrance at the top of the mountain. I mention the Forest Service map because it has all the trails, the Pinhoti Guide does not. You can get one on your way up there at the Shoal Creek Ranger District

[camel]

pinhotitrailaali ance.org

briartech.com

state park ranger station -  just inside park- usually has section maps for sale

beware the heat = not much water up top

trailhead on main road to the left about 300 yards before you enter the State Park - well marked paved area for about 25 cars.

In this heat i would consider chinabee to the lake - water

[ednotmilkman]

hi nu2,

You could ask if any of us might also be hiking at the same time. Even if you like to hike alone, as I do, it's nice to meet somebody at camp at night.  It won't be me anytime soon as I just got home from a great 7 day section hike through Great Smokies N. P.

[nu2hike]

I would love to meet up with another hiker on this forum! Since it was on such short notice it didn't occur to me to ask!

[nu2hike]

Forgive me for my ignorance but I don't have a trail map if this area! Are you referring to Chinnabee Lake? Would that be a loop hike or out & back? Is there a good place to hang my hammock in this area?

[Mountain Dog]

Go to the camp store at Cheaha HQ and buy a map.  All the suggestions will make more sense if you can visualize what we are saying.  But back to the question about where to hike, it all depends.  It sounds like you just want to get out for a night, and that is OK.  Camel has the best suggestion if I read your desires correctly and the area is dry.  I'd park at Lake Chinnabee (this is not the one you can see from the lodge.)  To reach it, take the HWY south past the HQ on top of the mountain and then take the first right.  Stay on that road long enough you will see a sign for Lake Chinnabee (it will not be the first lake you pass)  Park at Lake Chinnabee and hike the Chinnabee Silent Trail.  Three or four miles down the trail is a shelter.  Down the hill from the shelter is a creek with a waterfalls and plenty of places to get wet.  Across the creek and to the left is a large flat camping area.  To the right and up the hill is more secluded camping.  Stay on the trail a mile or so and you will come to Turnipseed campground, a rustic unimproved camp ground with a privy.  The trail goes throught the campground and soon crosses a creek.  There are plenty of places for a hammock around that creek.  Keep going for about a mile and you'll go up the mountain.  At the top, you will have gone about 6 miles from your car.  Do not plan on water at the top.  Where you stop for the night all depends on when you hit the trail and how your health holds up.  This is a pretty hike and gives you a lot of options if you do not mind an out and back.  If you want a loop hike then you'll need to stay on the top of the mountain and do the Cave Creek/Nubbin/Pinhoti  loop if you want to keep the hike below about 18 miles.  Water will be the problem if you hike the loop on top.  There is probably water on the Nubbin section but I do not know if there has been a drought there as there has down here in the Panhandle.  The entire Pinhoti is hammock friendly so do not worry about finding trees to hang from.

[nu2hike]

Thanks to everyone for your help! Looks like I will get on the trail a day later than planned! Will the store be open on Sunday?

[Mountain Dog]

The camp store is there to support the camping area on the top.  I think it will be open.  But to be sure, call (256)488 5111       
 Please make a trail report.  Others will be interested in water levels, the store's hours, the availability and dates of the maps, ect.   

[nu2hike]

I plan to leave early in the morning! The store opens at 8am and with any luck I should be on the trail before 9am. I will post a report when I return. Many thanks to all of you for your invaluable help!
Maybe one day we may meet on the trail! Until then safe hiking!