Dugger Mtn Wilderness trails

[ednotmilkman]

just was wondering; since the Cheaha Wilderness has so many good side trails along with the Pinhoti for loop hikes and day trips, why are there no other trails up in Dugger Mountain Wilderness other than the Pinhoti?? 

I'm assuming there are none looking at the NFS Shoal Creek map. I need to get the Pinhoti section 1 map if I'm wrong and there are other trails there.

[Joshua Szulecki]

It's fairly new?

I've wondered the same thing, and I really have no clue. Actually, I've always been a little disappointed with the relative lack of shorter, high-interest trails in Talladega NF, official or unofficial, at least those that are publicized.

[Mountain Dog]

Well, thre is at least one loop trail that people do although it is not identified on the maps.  The loop incorporates the Pinhoti and the Jones Branch road.  You can pick out this loop from looking at maps.  This is really a neat day hike loop.  The Jones branch road/trail is as clear as is the Pinhoti.  I think a group makes the loop at least once per year to look at flowers.  The Pinhoti section has, as reported to me, a lot of blowdowns now but it is still passable although much slower than usual. 

There is an old road (539) coming in from the north that terminates at the old fire tower site (the fire tower has been romoved but the site is very clear).  The road looked clear from the fire tower site last year although I did not try to hike down it.  The map shows it running into FS 500.  I would not hesitate to try hiking the 500/539/Pinhoti loop if the 539 road/trail looked good where it crosses FS500.  My thought is that if it lookd hikeable from the North (500) and the south (fire tower) then the inbetween would be OK.  The only real road walk on this loop would be the mile or so you would hike on FS 500.  One warning though.  There is not a clear trail connecting the Fire Tower Site to the Pinhoti.  So, unless you are good with maps or GPSes (N33 52.939, W 85 35.246), you might not find the old fire tower site if you hike the Pinhoti as your first leg.  However, you can easily find the Pinhoti if you hike 539 first.  Just hike south for a very short distance from the old fire tower site and you will cross a very clear Pinhoti.
 Depending on your skill level and start time, this loop would be a good long day hike or a great one nighter.

[ednotmilkman]

mountain dog,

I looked at my map software and it does show this road (unnamed) running ENE from the top point where you gave the GPS co-ords, although it doesn't show it going east all the way to F500. The new ( Jan 08 1/2" per mile) NFS map shows a short trail off the Pinhoti but does not show the old road (understandable in a wilderness area).

Can you drive a car in from Piedmont east on CR 70 to the road coming in from the north, Duggar Mtn Rd, that becomes fs500? is there a gate at the forest service boundary?  This will be the next section I hike on the Pinhoti, so am curious in case I have to do a short one and return to my car solo.  Most likely I'd just start at Burns trailhead and return along fs500 and thumb it or walk back west on CR 55.

My map software also shows a trail along Dry Creek south of the Pinhoti going to fs 500, and another one going upstream then east up to Oakley Mtn from where Pinhoti crosses Terrapin Crk and coming out on CR 55; but my experience is- they may not be navigable if they aren't on any current maps.

[Mountain Dog]

1.  My map is older than yours.  The road designation apparently has been dropped, probably because it is a wilderness area.  It looked to me, because of some trash around the old tower site, that people had been using the  old road to some extent.  Again, I do not know if it is a clear trail all the way to 500.  But, road beds tracking up a mountain are normally easily decernible so I think that route is still possible.  Will not know for sure till someone tries it. 

2.  Roads are not my strong point but I'll give you what I remember.  You can drive east on 70 without obstruction. I've driven from Bull Gap to as far north as skyway/600/500 will allow and never seen a gate.   I would not park at Maxwell Gap, the place where 70 crosses the Pinhoti.  There is room but you are exposed if you leave it over night.  You need a good road map to find the Pinhoti/Ladiga Tail/hwy 94 crossings.  I can get there from Piedmont but I cannot explaine the route.  Locals do not always recognize the number, 94.  It has a different name that they use.  I'd choose to park near the Ladaga trail over Maxwell gap.
 
3.  I do not recognize the roads you mention on dry creek or going from Terrapin Creek to 55.

Solo, on the Pinhoti trail Alliance web site migh know more because he has explored a lot of the area. 

[ednotmilkman]

with a paper map AND the software map on my GPS, it'll be more fun to find out on my own once I decide where to leave the car. Hope to get up there by Thanksgiving at least.

thanks