Mid summer temps to expect....

[wyleone]

I am new to the Pinhoti trail and together with some other scout leaders have decided to take our backpackers in the troop to the Pinhoti trail this next weekend. (Decision was made months ago)
We will be going from Clairmont gap to Cheaha SP.

I also have hiked on the AT (among other trails) at the end of June. Also many other non-elevation trips in the southern section of AL.

I have been noticing the weather forecasts for Cheaha mountain are for the upper 90F, pretty steady.

Is this about right? I know 2700ft is not that high, (was at 4500ft on AT this summer).

I was hoping for some temp relief on the ridge.  Am I wrong?

I will not put these scouts in danger as far as heat exhaustion/stroke. So if I have to, I will reschedule the trip.

[blisterbob]

The temperature may well be in the 90's (normal for July/August)
That entire trek will be in the shade 95% of the time (good news)
It will be on the ridge tops about 75% of the time and a good chance for a cooling breeze (more good news)
The section between Clairmont Gap and Adams Gap has several blow downs (bad news)
That section also has an area that the huckleberry and briers have grown together over the trail (more bad news)
As of 7-18-11 only 1 source of water and that is about 1 mile from Adams Gap without leaving the trail and following stream beds.
Be prepared also for ticks, they're out in full force.
My experience has been that the scout leaders have had more difficulty than the scouts.
Do not discount the advantage of youth.

[Mountain Dog]

I personally would not hike the mile north of Clairmont Gap if the briars are as bad as Blistetbob said.  The briars are wicked, and I do mean wicked.  They are long running stems with really long and clingy thorns.  I've hiked through blackberry patches with less trouble or should I say pain.  I hiked that section once when I could not find the trail because of the briars.  Someone had painted blazes about 8 feet up the trees and that was my guide.  I needed a transfusion when I finally cleared the briars.  The trail runs paralles to the road and not far off the road.  I'd go into the woods and bushwhack to the trail about one mile north of the Gap.   You cannot tell about wind but I've always found the wind to be decent on top of the mountain.  You'll be hot but with water and wind you'll be OK.  I would not reschedule just because of the temps.  As Blisterbob said, you'll be in the shade almost all the time.  I have not done that section between CG and Adams for a while so I do not know how the blazes are now.  BUT at one time, the trail entered a road at an angle.  The natural inclination was to look for the trail across the road or down the road as the trail was pointing, WRONG.  Look back to your right about 50 feet.  It will not be a problem with a group but I frequently hike solo so I have to take care to make sure I do not go off trail because of my "inclination".  You'll enjoy Cheaha.  I do hope you plan a night or at least a long rest at McDill Point.   

[wyleone]

McDill is exactly where the plan is to stop. So here is another question along that line....

If I bring a Machete or two, would I be doing good if I am sure I am on the trail and clear the way. We only plan to go from CG to Adams gap the first day. We will be arriving just before Noon on Friday. So the six miles to Adams gap will not be any challenge for my scouts. As long as there is something for them to look at, they will not get bored.

I am a little concerned to bushwhack in to the trail when I have never been on the trail before.

I know the briars you speak of, we have them here on the coast. Thick leather gloves and machetes are the only way, unless you go around.

[blisterbob]

I only mention the briers so you would consider long pants and boots or high top socks.
The hikers I shuttled recently from that area only had ankle scratches
and to make that worse, they also had poison ivy on the scratches.
A machete might come in handy to clear some of the limbs from the blow downs.
Sounds like a lot of negatives, but the rewards are many scenic views.

Good luck and safe hiking,

[Mountain Dog]

I think you will be OK as long as the first guy is preparred to move/cut the briers.    You can always stash the extra gear at Adams and pick it up after the hike.  I'd given a lot for leather gloves when I hit it the worst.  You'll be on a section that is really hard to get lost in.  Just remember where the road is in relation to your location.  You are never very far from the road untill you head up the mountain.  Then, if in doubt when confronting trail choices, go west.  Cheaha has been blazed within the last couple of years and I think the blazes are more than plentiful now.

[wyleone]

Thanks for the encouragement, I saw the forecast temps and my heart sank. I have been looking forward to this trip for a while.

There will be a write up when I get back without a doubt. And some pics too. I want to catch McDill at sunset. I will set up my hammock and tarp in the dark if I have to. It won't be the first time.

[BCM]

A couple of thoughts.  I have hiked this area in July, October, January, and late March.  Bob or Mountain Dog, you may have more up to date info on this, so feel free to stomp all over me, if I am wrong. 

1. How many will be in your party?  There really isn't a good place (less than a mile) near Adams Gap for more than 2 to 4 to camp.  If I am remembering correctly, the area around Double Springs about a mile south of Adams Gap is the best campsite unless you want to go a mile out of your way down the Skyway.  AND, the water at Double Springs is seasonal.  There are also two large campsites within a mile south of the Stairway to Heaven.  I have been at the area South of Adams Gap and North of Adams Gap when it was completely dry and one time when I had to wade through.   The nearest dependable water in that area is .9 miles down the Skyway near that campsite I mentioned.

2.  Water is iffy at this time of year.  I would cache 1.5 to 2 Gallons per person in the woods at Adams Gap just to be sure.  Unless the spring near the Pinhoti/Chinnabee intersection is running or you were willing to detour over to Cave Creek on the Cave Creek Trail, you will need it.  I know I need a lot more water in hot weather to keep from dehydrating.  I wouldn't be able to stop at McDill for the night leaving Adams Gap with less than 5 qts.  I could make it to Cheaha State Park, but would spend 2 hours rehydrating at the store and the Park restaurant.

3. I would pack hammocks (Hennessy or Byers) with noseeum nets and tarps and light weight sleeping bag liners.  That way you can take advantage of the breezes.  Depending on your gear, it might also save enough weight to help carry enough water.  ENO Pronest Hammocks are very light too, but when you add the straps, Bug net and Tarps, you are looking at close to 4 lbs.  The Hennessy and Byers are below or right at 3.  Matt has some great info on the ALA Trails Gear site about really light and strong Whoopee cord, or some such name.

4.  It adds about a pound with Batteries, but I always carry a battery powered tent fan for consistent airflow when backpacking in the summer.  I hang it from the tarp ridge line or the rings inside my tent when I use it.  Yes, I confess, I am a wimp about the heat.

BCM (Bass Clarinet Man)

[squidbilly]

3. I would pack hammocks (Hennessy or Byers) with noseeum nets and tarps and light weight sleeping bag liners.  That way you can take advantage of the breezes.  Depending on your gear, it might also save enough weight to help carry enough water.  ENO Pronest Hammocks are very light too, but when you add the straps, Bug net and Tarps, you are looking at close to 4 lbs.  The Hennessy and Byers are below or right at 3.  Matt has some great info on the ALA Trails Gear site about really light and strong Whoopee cord, or some such name.

BCM (Bass Clarinet Man)

You mean this stuff: http://www.whoopieslings.com/

More info here:http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/

I agree with the other suggestions about caching water near Adams Gap.

[wyleone]

You mean this stuff: http://www.whoopieslings.com/

More info here:http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/

I agree with the other suggestions about caching water near Adams Gap.

I'm already there, I have an ENO DN with all in one WS w/added adjustable ridge-line. Plus a Dryfly with deep cuts for air circulation.
My son has a ENO SN w/ WS, solid carbon toggles and poly tube slings also with adjustable ridge-line. He runs a Noah 9 tarp.

Our scoutmaster has a WBBB with CF 12x12 DIY tarp.

I could go on. We have 5 hammocks and 5 tenters. (tenters will be in hammocks soon, they just don't know it yet.)

We have a luxury. We have three vehicles going, on will be meeting us at Adams gap (with 20gal of water) as he can't leave with us...(work...ugh)

I have camped in Buggy areas before with my Eno and no bug net. All our gear is treated with permithrin and we use insect repellent for ticks.

We plan to carry 6 liters per person from Adams gap, and plan to exploit any water we may need along the way.
We "plan" to camp around McDill but if water becomes an issuebefore that we will drop off at the CC trail. Use it to either refill and return to the Pinhoti or finish on CC to Cheaha. Our guys want a solid 20, and they will have to hike to and around Cheaha to get it. We will also have water stashed at Cheaha for final hydration.
 

[wyleone]

Oh yes, all of our WS and ridge lines are made of 7/64" Amsteel, which my rig comes in at 2 lbs, 8oz my son's is 3lbs 2oz because of the 2lb Noah 9.

[squidbilly]

Nice!
We have WBBB x 2 , ENO singlenest X 2 , all with 7/64" amsteel whoopies.  MacCat Deluxe SpinnUl  tarp x 2, DIY 10 x 12 tarp with grosgrain buckles and tree huggers.

I was gonna ask if you needed someone to stash some water for you, but it sounds like you got it covered.
You'd be surprised how close Cave Creek is to the Pinhoti near Mc Dill.  When you're heading north on the Pinhoti, past the connector trail to Cave Creek Trail, stop before the curve west to McDill. Bushwack straight over the hill east to the creek. Check it out on the map. The old Odum trail runs along the ridge there too, from Hernandez Peak to the connector trail. There are a lot of nice campsites up there.

[squidbilly]

Here's my tarp

[wyleone]

Here's my tarp

Very nice!

I may do something like that when I trip over an awesome price on CF.
I haven't really worked into the thread injection aspect of DIY. I'm sure I will when I need a few underquilts this fall when overnight temps start dipping below 68F. I can't afford to buy multiple underquilts and the gas to go anywhere too. 

[wyleone]

UGH! The highs for our trip will be 98F Friday, 96F Saturday, and 95F on Sunday (By the time the heat hits on Sunday we will be in the car headed home.) And a 50% chance of those thunderstorms in the afternoon. We will have to be prepared to get off of the ridge quick if the lightning starts popping. I guess I will have to lug the Noah 12 with me 

[squidbilly]

I was up there today, hiked up the Chinnabee Silent Trail from Turnipseed Camp to the CST/Pinhoti/Odum Junction. There is no water in the branch. It's still damp, but not even any small pools to be found. Maybe farther downhill. There was a seep on the CST about a quarter mile from the top that was flowing.

Cheaha Creek at Turnipseed was flowing. It was nice to cool down in after that hot climb!

I took 2 gallons of water and stashed it at the junction for y'all. When you get to the junction, turn left and go down the CST for about a hundred feet or so. Look for a blue towel hanging in a small tree. (I found the towel there while looking for water in the branch) The water is on a shelf under the boulder next to the tree. Here's a picture of the boulder, it's in the middle of the trail.

[buck]

From Clairmont to about a mile or two south of Adam's Gap the trail was very overgrown, faded blazes, and often times hard to follow - this was early fall. There was no water in the area. I ran into some trail maintenance workers prior to this area and they, too, warned me that maintenance had not been performed on this section for some time. Even in early fall the briars were terrible climbing out of the gap and for a ways while on top of the ridge.

With that said, if maintenance has been performed since that time it ought to be fine. However, if no maintenance has been performed I would be very cautious because there are places where the trail seems to disappear - i.e. don't get lost with all those scouts.

[wyleone]

I was up there today, hiked up the Chinnabee Silent Trail from Turnipseed Camp to the CST/Pinhoti/Odum Junction. There is no water in the branch. It's still damp, but not even any small pools to be found. Maybe farther downhill. There was a seep on the CST about a quarter mile from the top that was flowing.

Cheaha Creek at Turnipseed was flowing. It was nice to cool down in after that hot climb!

I took 2 gallons of water and stashed it at the junction for y'all. When you get to the junction, turn left and go down the CST for about a hundred feet or so. Look for a blue towel hanging in a small tree. (I found the towel there while looking for water in the branch) The water is on a shelf under the boulder next to the tree. Here's a picture of the boulder, it's in the middle of the trail.

That was awesome of you to do for us in this heat. There will be a huge PIF coming your way one day soon!

I will be bringing my Delorme PN-60wse along with its SPOT. I don't take risks with my scouts. They do that enough when I have my back turned. The youngest has dropped off the trip so I have all senior scouts that resemble more of a military patrol than a Boy Scout Patrol. I could drop off the face of the earth and they would never cause me concern that they would walk out ahead of schedule.

I plan to bring a machete, (against my better judgement of just going around), and may consider looking to get a good condition report for this board.

What color Blazes? I may be able to bring some reflective paint if I have the right color.

[squidbilly]

The Pinhoti has light blue blazes, and some white diamond plates with the turkey track.  I do recall seeing some wrong shade blazes (dark blue) on that section last winter. These were around the Patterson gap area. 

Like Buck said, the Pinhoti can get overgrown in the summer. If you lose the trail, remember FS 600 parallels the trail on this section.  It will be on the east side except for around Burgess Point, but you will know where it is because you'll cross over it. 

Map 10 and 11

[wyleone]

I will give a full trip report in another thread this evening, but I want to say it was a huge success.

 We did utilize the water put out there for us by Squidbilly. Thank you very much, it was needed badly as it was hot enough for all ten of us to have gone through better than a gallon each by the time we reached heaven that morning. We ended up crossing over to cave creek and down to the creek itself. We had a lame scout by then and decided to finish up on cave creek. I will get to see Mc Dill this fall, as I will be back without a doubt.