newbe looking for overnight hike sugestions

[Clanky]

Hi... I'm new here and want to learn more about back packing.
I have extensive day hike experience as well as extensive camping experience.
I have; however no overnight back packing experience...
I feel fairly confident I have the right equipment to do a two maybe two and a half day hike...
I want to get started so see how heavy I am and what I can cut out of my gear before I start some more serious back packing..

I think that with my gear I could get 5 miles on rough terrain and 10 miles on flat terrain.
 
So what would be a good hike preferably loop but I'm not opposed to a in and out...
Thanks for any help....

BTW any one familiar with wiggys bags if so would you consider them to heavy for back packing (they seem on the bulky/heavy side to me).

Oh yeah.. I'm in the Birmingham area and am willing to.drive 3-4 hrs to get to a trail..

[weathermansam]

It boils down to personal preference in the long run.  Some people have no problem carrying 40lbs.  I personally don't like a base weight over 10lbs [meaning everything besides food/water].  40lbs is almost a third of my body weight.  I learned the hard way about packing heavy....21 mile overnighter with a 40lb load.  I'll NEVER do it again.  Buy a cheap scale [i.e. walmart, fishing dept] and weigh everything in your pack.  Browse the Pinhoti and Sipsey forums here, there's a wealth of info on various trails, a lot of trips reports. 

[dogwood]

Several good hiking options in the area.  Talladega National Forest(Pinhoti Trail System + side trails up near my neck of the woods; Sipsey Wilderness area(good  1 1/2 hrs from Bham; and Oak Mountain - Shelby County, right up I-65.  Some good loop options in all of these.  http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/sitemap.html is a trove of information!  Also, most local outfitters carry maps of Pinhoti Trail System and other trails in the region.

[WolfVanZandt]

Ooh! And don't forget the trails in south Alabama that take in the bayous and pine forests.

[shhQuiet]

If you're looking for just a short shake-down cruise, I recently did an overnight starting at the Cheaha trailhead, south on the Pinhoti to McDill point, where i camped with a magnificent view. A little further south and you can pick up a connector to the Cave Creek trail, which will loop you back to the trailhead.  About 8 miles total.

EDIT: Here's the GPS track: http://www.everytrail.com..._trip.php?trip_id=1400473

[Clanky]

Thanks for the suggestions every one... If there are one more specific loops please keep them coming...
I actually did go to Mcdill point once... (to see the blue plane crash site) we did a there and back with my son on my shoulders the whole way... I might try that loop (the last half seems harder than the first).

[Firedog]

You might want to look at Desoto State Park. There are a plenty of trails to hike and since you are getting reaquainted you can camp in the primitive camping area and loop hike to your hearts content. Here is a trail map. http://alapark.com/parks/...ile/NEW%20Trail%20Map.pdf
There is lot's to see and do in this area.

[Clanky]

That does seem like a good place to start....
Though I am hoping to find a place.a bit more isolated...